When the world around me gets loud, when a wave of exhaustion washes over me, when I can’t seem to function without a nap, I ask myself, “What’s going on (around me)?”

An empath is someone who feels really deeply what other people are feeling. You might get labeled as a crier or too emotional, to anxious, maybe depressed. Others emotions get absorbed into your energy field. If you’re an empath, that energy effects you at either a more intense or noticeable way. You are attuned, fine tuned to other’s energy.

Emotional chameleon? To the uninitiated empath, sure. But think about it. Doesn’t it make sense that we are permeable beings living in a world of connection? We all rely on others in many forms.

You might feel achy, tired or other physical symptoms of someone else’s negative, depressive or grieving energy. It can get to the place that you talk yourself into putting up protective barriers to teflon your energy field from taking on anticipated negativity. Or you build a bubble around you that you learn to be aware of and work to separate from others. So how do you get rid of others unwanted energy?

How do you disallow being dragged down by other’s emotions so you can be present for yourself and others? How do you avoid slipping into ‘fix it’ or codependent mode?

Practice being an observer of others. You need to maintain you. Observe other’s ‘stuff’ practice knowing what is theirs and not yours. Keep your precious energy stuff contained when in the presence of an emotional storm. Easier said than done? Sure, but as with anything, with practice and mindfulness even an empath can move through the world not only intact but thriving. It’s kind of like meditating–watching your thoughts float by but not allowing yourself to react. “Ah, there goes that thought…” Bye.

We might take a chapter from native people’s practice of sage burning. Burning sage — also known as smudging — is an ancient spiritual ritual. Most-used types of sage have antimicrobial properties. This means they keep infectious bacteria, viruses, and fungi at bay. Burning sage is thought to release negative ions said to help neutralize positive ions. 

Common positive ions are allergens like:

• pet dander
• pollution
• dust
• mold

Certain types of sage contain thujone, science proving it is mildly psychoactive. It’s actually found in many plants used in cultural spiritual rituals to enhance intuition. As it has also been used to protect against negativity, it can enhance sleep, mood, and soothe stress.

Just the ritual of it helps. Other people stomp and brush themselves off as though they were covered in dust. Ever heard the phrase “just shake it off?”. Yup.

Negative people/energy = often masks as sudden exhaustion.

In our human energy field our sense of wellbeing works when we are clean and clear of negative energy. Some have to take a nap, sometimes daily, to purge themselves of the energy they have taken on during their day. It’s not new age, or ‘woo, woo’. We all have energy emanating from us. Some of us are naturally more attuned. But seriously, we could all use and benefit from taking care of our own energy–our own self.

Empaths are problem solvers, seekers, helpers. We need to ground ourselves daily. Our personal energy needs to remain clear and present around us–not floating away from us. Mood swings, feeling ‘off’ calls for a shower–yes literally. Water washes us literally, and to cleanses in the realm of our energy. Must be why a shower can revive, relax and clear our minds.

People use salt lamps to clear an energy field, just as sage does. Nature walks, grounds and clears. Surely you’ve felt it, even if you never considered yourself anything close to being an empath. You can teach yourself to be aware of how you react to the people in the space around you. And then do something about it. Protect your precious energy so it can be shared and not sapped.

I have found tremendous dousing of my energy in this recovery. I am still a work in progress trying to regain my former self, energy included. There really is something to the admonition for ‘self care’. And if you are an empath, even more vital.

Shake it off, just like you wipe your feet on the mat outside your front door. No—not ‘woo, woo weird’. Give it a try.