Happiful_May_2019

1 Set boundaries

Having healthy boundaries is

important for all of us, but if you’re

an empath it can be particularly

useful. Empaths often feel so full

of other people’s emotions that

they lose track of their own needs.

Learning to say ‘no’ more, knowing

when to step away from situations,

and prioritising self-care, is key.

For example, if you have a person

in your life who you find particularly

draining, set boundaries and decide

how much of your energy you’re

going to give them. This could mean

pointing them to other forms of

support, or simply turning down a

social invitation now and then.

3 Start a mindfulness practice

Getting to know what you need,

and recognising your own feelings,

is important – and mindfulness can

help with this. Whether you do this

through meditation, or an activity

like mindful colouring, knitting, or

walking, it’s helpful to set aside time

to be quiet and present.

This can help you replenish your

energy levels too, making you more

resilient and able to handle other

people’s emotions.

4 Try visualisation techniques

If you’re going into a scenario that

you know is going to be draining

• a big party, for example, or a
  particularly difficult conversation


• it’s worth trying a visualisation
  technique. Imagine you have a glass
  wall between you and the person
  you’re speaking to, so while you can
  continue to engage in conversation,
  you’re protected from taking on their
  emotions.
  Other visualisations you could
  try include picturing yourself in a
  protective bubble, imagining other
  people’s emotions as water that
  flows over you, or even seeing their
  emotions as a balloon and letting that
  balloon go.

5 Get back to nature regularly

Nature has a wonderfully grounding

effect, helping you to clear your mind

and feel closer to the earth. If you

can, aim to get outside often and seek

out green areas. Taking time to notice

the leaves on a tree, or clouds in the

sky, can help you anchor yourself in

the moment and feel more connected

to yourself and your emotions.

6 Plan for emotion overload

Being prepared can help to avoid

unexpected emotion overload. The

trick is to note down what triggers

your empathic tendencies, and

having a plan for each.

Some of these will involve the

boundary work, others will need a

recovery plan, such as keeping the

day after an event free for rest and

self-care. Having these plans can

save a lot of time (and energy) when

a situation presents itself. The more

prepared you are, the more you can

embrace your empathic side, and

see the many positives that come

alongside the challenges. You have a

gift, and now’s the time to master it.

2 Give journaling a go
If you’re feeling overwhelmed
with emotion, it can help to get
it out in some way. There are
lots of different options, but
one enjoyable way is journaling.
Putting pen to paper, and writing
whatever’s on your mind, can not
only be a release, but can also
reconnect you with your own
emotions, and help you to focus on
how you’re feeling. To get into the
habit, perhaps start by writing a few
lines every evening to process the
day and any lingering emotions.

6

SELF-HELP

STRATEGIES

May 2019 • happiful • 79

You have a

gift, and

now’s the

time to

master it