KALMers, have you ever felt tired right after a friend shared something sad to you? It’s as if you’re absorbing all of the negative energy from the story. Hmm… If you frequently have this experience, you could be an empath!
OK, read this article to learn more about what an empath is!
What exactly is Empath?
An empath is someone who is able to deeply feel the emotions of those around them. Beyond ordinary empathy, an empath feels what other people are feeling more accurately than others. It is as if they can take the emotions from others and feel it themselves in a deeper way.
Research that shows a part of the population may have more active mirror neurons (part of the brain responsible for imitating and understanding other people’s emotions) also reinforces this concept of empath.
Read more: Highly Sensitive Person: It’s Okay To be Sensitive! and 5 Steps to Healthy Emotional Boundaries With Our Friends
Signs You’re an Empath
You may be wondering if you are one of those people who falls under the category of an empath. Take a look at the characteristics listed below!
1. Have a High Level of Empathy
An empath, as the name itself, has a high level of empathy. Unlike general empathy, you can feel other people’s emotions more deeply. You feel the emotions as if they are a part of your own experience. In other words, the pain and happiness of others becomes your pain and happiness as well!
2. People Come to You with Problems
It’s no surprise that people frequently share their problems with you because you have the ability to understand other people’s thoughts and feelings more than most other people. Your friends may frequently seek your advice and support. This shows that empaths are often patient and affectionate.
3. You Have Difficulty Creating Boundaries
As an empath, caring has become a part of you. You may find it difficult to stop giving and caring for others, even when your energy is running out. You may assume that removing boundaries indicates that you don’t care about the people you love, so you remove those boundaries. Hm.. this can be harmful for your emotional health, so be careful, KALMers!
4. Easily Overwhelmed in Relationships
Relationships may be difficult for anyone. But it’s nothing compared to what an empath goes through. For an empath, being in a relationship can be emotionally exhausting. Imagine being able to sense your partner’s emotions all the time, their frustration, or even their lie.
5. You Know When Others Are Lying
Can you sense it when other people are lying to you? One of the advantages of someone with high empathy is that they are able to process even the smallest social cues. With this ability, even when you don’t know exactly what the other person really wants, you are sensitive to whether they are not being completely honest with you. Hmm… What do you think, KALMers? Is it an advantage or a disadvantage?
6. It is Your Responsibility to Help Others
Being able to feel what other people are feeling so deeply can make you want to do something to help them. You can’t stand still when you see someone else in trouble. It is common for you to help others even if it means harming yourself.
7. Able to Feel Other People’s Physical Pain
When someone is ill or injured, you may experience their illness as if it were your own. This includes not only sympathy, but also real physical sensations like pain, tightness, or tenderness in the same area of the body. It’s as if the mirror neurons in your brain not only reflect other people’s feelings, but also physically project those feelings onto your body. Yes, this can be exhausting:(
How about KALMers? How many points do you relate to?
Do This to Maintain Your Energy
If you identify with the characteristics above, it’s important to protect your energy. Take some time away from an environment or people that drains your energy. You can spend some time alone by going for a walk in nature to clear your mind. You also could practice meditation on a regular basis. Meditation helps you focus on your own feelings and thoughts.
If you’re already feeling overwhelmed by all of the emotions you absorb from others, don’t be afraid to seek professional help, okay? Kalmselor in the KALM App (download here) can teach you how to manage and regulate your emotions effectively.
I hope you found this post helpful! See you in the next articles!
Written by: Rachma Fitria
Translated by: Rachma Fitria
Edited by: Lukas Limanjaya
References:
Solo, A. (2019, January 18). 13 signs that you’re an empath. Highly Sensitive Refuge: https://highlysensitiverefuge.com/empath-signs/
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