It’s safe to say many empaths are on sensory overload for years with their systems flooded with adrenaline due to post-traumatic stress. Other reasons empaths are feeling stressed and overloaded could be due to bullying, being repeatedly yelled at, and physical and/or emotional abuse. Even children experiencing a chaotic home life that includes yelling, screaming and violence can cause serious PTSD and hypervigiliant behavior which can cause serious stress and exhaustion as well as depression and other mental health issues.
If you are an empath looking for ways to cope and heal, here are six healing strategies to practice:
- Breathing Techniques – Deep breathing, belly breathing and slow in & out breathing can help reduce stress and calm the nervous system. Find a breathing technique that works for you and practice it daily, especially when anxiety and stress levels are high.
- Practice Self-Compassion and Grace – Be patient with yourself. Healing doesn’t come easy and it’s not a quick process. Give yourself praise & acceptance with each baby step you take.
- Set Healthy Boundaries – Sensitive people are often afraid to say “no” to others. If there are people around you with toxic behaviors and who mistreat you, mentally, verbally or physically, be sure to stick up for yourself. It may even be best to release yourself from those relationships. Be sure to surround yourself with people who accept you for you, who are kind to you, who want to see you grow and succeed. It’s important to be surrounded by people who love you and want only the best for you.
- Emotional Release – Give yourself time to heal. Get plenty of rest. Allow yourself to feel. Remember the difficult situations without judging yourself or blaming yourself. Be patient and learn to love yourself by choosing yourself first and let go of your own harsh expectations. Say you’re taking can of an infant. You would take great care of the infant by holding her, feeding her and allowing her to rest when she’s tired. Also, your touch and words towards the infant would be loving and gentle. This is also how you need to treat yourself.
- Get Regular Massages – It has been proven that trauma is held in several parts of the body. Regular massages will help release the toxins in your muscles, tissues and glands. And, a good massage will also release remnants of trauma that are still lingering.
- Consult a Therapist – If you are struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, and you are realizing there are times that you are feeling super anxious and stressed, please consult with a therapist. A professional therapist can help you heal properly with the right supportive guidance. If needed, a licensed therapist has the ability to offer EMDR, the Emotional Freedom Tapping technique (EFT) and somatic awareness along with other helpful strategies. Listen to your body and inner voice. If you’re having a deeply hard time, please talk with a professional and get some support. You deserve healthy options, you deserve to feel happy, stress-free, loved and safe.
Photo – Alex Green
