Every Empath experiences it at some point and it is one of the most challenging aspects of being Sensitive. The overwhelm endured, from taking on too much emotional energy, can at times be unbearable.
Empath overwhelm is often caused by being “peopled”. But being around crowded places or overly negative people is not the only way an Empath becomes overwhelmed.
When someone has caused hurt, by their words or actions, or if the Empath has had negative thoughts directed towards them it often throws them completely off-balance, sending them nose-diving into overload. And that is not to mention what they suffer from being in the firing line of another’s low-mood.
The more out of alignment the Empath (feeling run down, emotionally low, having unbalanced chakras and hormones, etc.) the worst they will be affected by overwhelm and the longer it will last.
Empath overwhelm affects everyone differently, some much worse than others, at different stages of life. It causes lethargy, apathy and mood swings, and can trigger thoughts that keep you awake at night and dark emotions that reduce your verve for life.
The best way to combat the impact of overwhelm is to ‘nip it in the bud’ as soon as you become aware of it.
The following techniques work quickly to stop Empath overwhelm in its tracks:
1. Eat a small amount of chocolate:
I say small amount because large amounts have the opposite effect (I discovered this the delicious way, by devouring too much).
Chocolate can transform and uplift oyur mood in an instant. Containing compounds which promote happiness, chocolate is the go-to food when you have been emotionally or energetically triggered.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, produced by eating chocolate, known as the happy hormone. This hormone not only activates your bliss centers but it also helps refrain you from dipping into dark thoughts.
In my opinion, milk chocolate tends to work better than dark (as dark chocolate has a higher amount of caffeine). But the type you choose is something you can experiment with yourself. Most chocolate contains refined sugar which is a big cause of depression, and inflammation, not just in Empaths but all humans. So keep chocolate just for the times when you’ve been hit by emotional overload.
Eat between 2 to 4 small squares of chocolate, washed down with a pint of cool water. The water speeds up the healing and re-balancing process.
2. Temple hold:
Place two to three fingers on either side of the temples (between the eyebrows and hairline) and hold for as long as needed.
This simple technique helps break the repetitive thoughts that are triggered from emotional pain and overwhelm. It also works to block the dense feelings they cause.
I’m not sure why this method works but it does. (I suspect it is because it activates acupressure points and soothes the parts of the brain responsible for emotions.) It makes one feel safe and helps contain any excess ‘head energy’.
Great to do at bedtime, when emotional overwhelm turns into rampant thoughts that keep you awake. Taking some calming, conscious breaths at the same time further helps.
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Empath vs Narcissist is getting really boring