I would venture to guess, that many of you hesitate at the prospect of going where there are large crowds. Maybe this is because events like parties, concerts, or even a short trip to the mall leaves you feeling weary and disoriented? Or perhaps you have that friend, (you know which one) whom leaves you exhausted with just a phone conversation?

I feel your pain… literally.

These are symptoms of being empathic. Empathy is your ability to feel, in your body, another’s experience. The experience may be physical, emotional, energetic, painful, or joyful. You may or may not receive any external reason why you’re feeling this, but you feel it anyway.
Being empathic is an asset, but it unusually makes you vulnerable to the emotions of others; taking them on much the same way that you’d catch a cold. Being this sensitive can result in anxiety, depression, chronic stress, and physical pain syndromes more often than those who are less empathic.

Empathic Checklist:

• When you are around certain people or in crowds, do you feel drained?
• Have you ever had an instant liking or disliking to someone?
• Have you ever sensed how someone was feeling in spite of how they were acting or claiming?
• Do you have trouble with boundaries? Sometimes it’s difficult to know which experiences are yours and which come from others; or when it’s appropriate to open yourself for connection or to close up.
• Do you often need time alone to recharge and balance yourself?

Even when we’re aware of them, these patterns are hard to change. But, the most important step is being aware of these sensations; then you can sort out what they are, and how to manage them. To be a healthy empath requires daily practice.

Check back for follow-up articles. I plan on expanding greatly on the topic of Empathic Abilities.