As empath’s we face overwhelm and fatigue on a regular basis. Most of the time we can recover with basic self-care tools. 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 activities 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.

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.

Signs Your Are Experiencing Empath Overload

  • Fatigue/Exhaustion -this can manifest in a few ways. It could be your sleep is bad. Or your body can’t handle the workouts you normally do. No matter what you do, you can’t seem to find the energy you used to have. 
  • Anxiety – are you more stressed than normal and it can’t be tied back to a specific life situation? Then it may be that you are carrying too many other people’s stress. Triggering a constant state of anxiety.
  • Depression – feeling lethargic, sad and stuck? It’s easy to get here as an empath. Not because you are taking on other people’s stuff. But because it can make your own feelings overwhelming. If you feel like you are always at a disadvantage because of being an empath, you can become discouraged and depressed. (If at any time you feel suicidal, please get helps ASAP.)
  • Physical problems – having continual headaches or keep getting sick? This could be a sigh your body can’t take on anymore. Remember to seek help from your doctor if you are experiencing physical problems. Don’t assume it is due to empath overload. If anything, physical is changing, schedule a visit with your doctor. You need to rule out health issues not tied to empath overload.
  • Confusion/can’t make a decision – this is a big one for me! If I am struggling to make decisions that are normally easy, I stop and do a quick assessment to see if it is overload. Or if it is something specific to do with the problem. Such as I need more information.
  • Disconnected – I know it is hard for an empath to be disconnected. But when you are in overload you may experience a desire to be away from everything and everyone. Or it can manifest as not being able to connect to the emotions and feelings you used to be able to. Including accessing your intuition.
  • Overly emotional – you become quickly angered, saddened or any other emotional reaction. Instead of being able to process an emotion you find yourself reacting. An example would be starting to cry at small things, or even instantly when something happens. I know as empaths our emotions can be high at any moment. But when your system is on overload these emotions are on the next level. The feelings are very intense.
  • Increased use of addictive coping tools. Unfortunately, empaths tend to self-medicate to numb our feelings. If you find that you are turning to your numbing tool of choice more, you may be overloaded. Get help if you need it!
  • No motivation with no clear reason why. Always love to work out, but can’t seem to get it done. Want to plan a vacation, but even that seems like too much? This can be empath overload.
  • Decreased efficiency – what might normally take you two hours to do, now takes 10 hours. It feels harder to do what you need done.

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. You can put them in a pocket or wear them as jewelry.

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 Reiki 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.

How to Avoid Empath Overload

Daily Self Care Routine

Luckily, there are ways to protect yourself once you have recovered. And better yet, they are frequently the same things that get you out. 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.

Listen to Your Intuition

Besides from that 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 do 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!

Need help learning to control your empath gifts?

Learn more about my coaching services.

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