Last Updated on June 3, 2023
Have you ever been told you need to toughen up, grow thick skin, or stop being so sensitive? If so, you are not alone. You might be an empath!
And, as with anything else, it might help to know that you are not alone. That other people also have to deal with the same types of situations and labels as you do. So, keep reading if you want to learn what being an empath truly means, and 10 major signs and traits of empaths!
What Is an Empath?
The term “empath” comes from empathy, which is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others.
Empathy is the main trait of empaths, and they take it to the next level. If you cry, they cry! They take on others’ feelings as their own. This can be a struggle for many empaths when surrounded by negative people. Likewise, when they are around love and peace, their bodies incorporate it and flourish.
Empaths are also known to be highly sensitive people. They feel everything and absorb other people’s emotions like sponges!
Dr. Judith Orloff, the author of The Empath’s Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People describes empaths as: “Empaths are highly sensitive, finely tuned instruments when it comes to emotions. They feel everything, sometimes to an extreme, and are less apt to intellectualize feelings. Intuition is the filter through which they experience the world. Empaths are naturally giving, spiritually attuned, and good listeners. If you want heart, empaths have got it. Through thick and thin, they’re there for you, world-class nurturers.”
What Are the Traits & Signs of an Empath?
You might be wondering “Am I an empath or just sensitive?” To help guide you, here are ten major traits and signs of empaths:
1. Empathy
The most noticeable sign of empaths is that they have unlimited empathy. Empaths can sense and feel emotions as if they’re part of their own experience. They are known to be very caring, good listeners, and supportive of others.
2. Highly Sensitive
Noises, lights, smells, and energies, empaths feel them all. They feel everything, to the extreme!
Empaths are also often told they are too emotionally sensitive since they get their feelings easily hurt.
3. Introverted
Empaths require much more alone time. That’s because their nervous system may go into overload if there is too much going on at once. And for that reason, many empaths tend to stay at home and dislike being in larger groups of people.
4. Absorbers Other Peoples’ Energy
Emotionally speaking, empaths are affected by disharmony in the world. They feel the heartache of others, are aware of the negative energy in the room, and feel great sadness for horrific tragedies. They absorb negative emotions, such as anger or anxiety, which can be very exhausting.
See also: How to protect yourself from others’ negative energy
5. Good Listener
Empaths carry a skill where they listen with their whole body. They truly make the other person feel heard and comfortable enough to share their deepest thoughts and feelings. For that reason, many people seek out empaths to talk to when they need help, or simply just someone who will listen to them rant.
6. Highly Intuitive
Another trait of empaths is that they are highly intuitive. For them, it’s crucial to develop their intuition and follow it. Especially, when it comes to listening to their gut feelings about people.
7. Can Become Overwhelmed In Intimate Relationships
Intimate relationships can be a real struggle for empaths. Since they absorb all energies, it can be quite exhausting. It can cause empaths to feel anxious, overwhelmed, and struggle without personal space.
8. Walking Lie Detectors
Empaths are known to be walking lie detectors. Since their intuition is heightened, they know when people lie. They might not know exactly what a person is hiding, but they get a gut feeling that helps guide them to the truth!
9. Mood swings
Mood swings are quite common among empaths. They can go from high to low in a minute. However, mood swings are often a result of absorbing other people’s emotions, rather than the feelings they carry themselves. As a result, many empaths feel confused by their own feelings and how they developed.
10. Loves to Spend Time In Nature
Everyday life can sometimes become too much for empaths. That’s why they love to escape into nature. Nature grounds and nourish empaths, and is often the place they feel most at home!
Triggers of Empaths
Empaths are highly sensitive, get their feelings easily hurt, and absorb energies like sponges. This can be a challenging roller-coaster, and there are several things that can trigger an empath.
Below are some of the most common things that may trigger an empath. Avoid the following:
- Tragic and violent news, movies, and TV shows.
- Negative people who constantly complain.
- Larger groups of people over a longer period.
- Highly critical people.
- Narcissists.
- People who cause conflict and drama.
- Too little alone time.
- Energy vampires – people who drain your emotional energy.
Take care of yourself. Start to notice what and who triggers you, drains your energy, and lowers your mood. Become aware of your triggers and avoid them. By doing that, you are sure to improve your well-being and life quality as an empath.
The Empath Survival Guide
Empaths have special challenges in our world, as well as much-needed gifts to offer.
But where can you find the right guidance to help you become a grounded, open-hearted, and empowered empath?
The Empath Survival Guide can help you with that!
As an empath, Dr. Orloff has dedicated herself to creating strategies and practices to help you regulate your sensitivities, keep from getting overwhelmed, and stay protected and grounded while meeting the world with an open heart. She summed it all up in a life-changing online course, The Empath Survival Guide.
What you will learn:
- Skills to help you overcome sensitivity-based problems like fatigue, allergies, anxiety, and depression
- Ways to set healthy boundaries in a relationship and protect yourself from energy vampires
- Learn how to replenish your vital energy
- Discover your exceptional capacity to sense subtle energy, connect with nature, and tune into spiritual connection
Click HERE to learn more.
“I feel passionate about teaching these skills now because the world needs your gifts more than ever,” says Dr. Orloff.
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Hello, my name is Sara and I am the founder of Spiritvibez, I’m here to guide you on your spiritual journey toward healing, growth, and self-discovery. I believe that true transformation occurs when the mind, body, and spirit are aligned and working in harmony. Through Spiritvibez, I hope to inspire and empower you to deepen your spiritual practice, embrace your authentic self, and begin living your best life.