Depleted. Overwhelmed. Stuck. Anxious.
All feelings that an empath has faced at one time or another.
Empaths face overwhelm and fatigue on a regular basis. Most of the time we can recover with basic self-care practices.
But this does not always work.
When it doesn’t, we find ourselves facing empath overload and shutdown.
Once here, it takes some extra time and tools to allow us to restore our energy and health. In this article I am going to share with you how to know if you are overloaded, and how to fix it.
Let’s get started with better understanding of empath overload.
What is Empath Overload?
Empath overload is when you have taken on too much of other people’s emotions and energy. Thus, depleting your system. This includes physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It makes it difficult to function in your life. It is like burnout, where it becomes difficult to engage in any area of your life.
Empath Overload Symptoms
Below are some of the specific symptoms that empaths can experience when suffering from overload. Remember, we are all different, so if you feel depleted but don't have some of these systems trust your instincts and take care of yourself. After all, one of the benefits of being an empath is having strong intuition! Use it!
Empath Overload Tool Kit
Download my personal process for getting rid of empath overload!
How to Overcome Empath Overload
Schedule extra downtime
Cancel everything that is not critical to your daily life. Make sure you challenge yourself on what is critical. Every little bit of extra downtime helps you. So be ruthless in only adding to your schedule what must be done.
Extra Self Care
Add in extra healing and self-care practices. Beyond what you normally do. My favorites are journaling to explore what triggered the overload. Review each situation and try to understand it more. Meditation to help ground and center. Reiki to keep your energy system clear.
Remove Other’s Energies
Make sure to clear yourself of other’s energies. It is hard to come out of overload when you are still surrounded by other’s energies. This one can be difficult, even when alone. This is because the stronger an empath you are. And the more connected you are to someone. You can pick up their energy from a distance. This makes protection, that much more important.
Protection
Energetic and emotional protection are critical. Learn about tools you can use to protect your own energy. My favorite easy go to is carrying crystals that protect me. You can put them in a pocket or wear them as jewelry. My favorite is moss agate. You can also use just about any black crystal. Go to a reputable local crystal shop to get assistance. If ordering online first use a resource such as The Crystal Bible to know what the crystals do.
Get Help
When we are in overload it can be very hard to do our own clearing and protection. If you are struggling, ask for help.
Check out my energy healing services if you are stuck!
Do What Nourishes You
It might be a walk outside in nature, painting, writing or it is watching comedy shows. Look for things that bring you joy. When you are full of your own positive energy, and feel balanced, it is much easier to overcome overload.
Empath Overload Example
Here is an example from one of my own experiences with overload.
How I Knew I Was In Empath Overload
How I Overcame Empath Overload
I knew I was better when my sleep started to get back to normal and I was excited for work. It took about two weeks to get back to normal.
In my experience every time is slightly different. Each time will require different time frames. And different tools to balance.
Play around with what works best for you.
How to Avoid Empath Overload
Once you have recovered from overload it is important to make sure you don't end up overloaded again! These tips will help you avoid overload.
Daily Self Care Routine
Managing your empath gifts has a lot to do with maintaining a regular spiritual and self-care routine. As you do this, it is harder to get overwhelmed. I have an entire article dedicated to self-care for empaths. If you don't have a self-care routine, check this article out!
Listen to Your Intuition
It is important to pay attention to what your intuition is telling you. It is trying to keep you safe and clear. If you get the sense, you should not go to a work party – then don’t! If you feel like you should drive a different way to the gym, then do it! Sometimes it does not make sense but following it will help keep you balanced.
Watch for Toxic Energy
Pay attention to the energy of the people and spaces you are around. If you walk into a store and it feels bad. Then walk out. If your boss is having a bad day, try and stay away as much as you can. Every time you put yourself into a situation that is toxic, you will pick up stuff and have problems getting back to your base line.
Protective Energy
Make sure you are protecting your energy. Protection ensures you are not picking up other people’s stuff. Find the right tools for you and use them daily.
Learning to manage your empath energy is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Once you master this, you can begin to elevate and use your gifts. Or at a minimum find more joy and happiness in your life!
Empath Overload Toolkit
Download my guide with specific items that I use for the steps above. My personal process for getting rid of empath overload!
Last Updated: 5/25/24