5 Ways To Survive The Holidays As An Empath
'Tis the season for self-care.
getty The holidays are a time of intense energy for a highly sensitive person with a lot of empathy. Even if you have chosen to do less this year or have chosen to set strong boundaries and take part in self-care activities, we are still surrounded by media, social media, and the energy of just being around others.
As an empath, we can’t control what is going on around us but we can control how we process and handle all of it.
According to Psychology Today, "the trademark of an empath is feeling and absorbing other people’s emotions and/or physical symptoms because of their high sensitivities."
If this sounds like you, you might be an empath — also known as a highly sensitive person (HSP).
Highly sensitive people who have "too much" empathy probably incorporate self-care into their daily routines already.
However, in order to deal with holiday stress as an HSP, it's advisable to increase whatever works for you during this busy and often overwhelming time.
If you are an empath or HSP, here are 5 self-care tips and activities to help you survive holiday stress.
1. Say "no".
Do this for obligations that don’t feel aligned or just feel like too much. During this time of year, there are more social events and expectations. Sometimes, we have been doing things a certain way for so long that we don’t even realize that the activity doesn’t work for us anymore.
Take a look at your schedule and calendar this year and ask yourself what you have been doing every year, just because you have been doing it every year. Can you change how you do this task? Can you eliminate it?
Pick one task each week to let go of and leave that space in your calendar for self-care.
2. Practice energetic clearing.
When you return home from being in the world, this is a great time for you to transition into the home and your safe place. Take some time to clear your energy.
Try a 5-minute meditation or a visualization (see yourself leaving the day and energy behind and moving into a relaxed/connected state). Take a dance break with the intention of arriving home and releasing any energy that isn’t yours or use Palo Santo or sage to clear the energy.
3. Protect yourself.
When you are out in the world, set the intention to be open to receive positive interactions and to repel those that are not beneficial.
You can also wear or carry a protective crystal with you. One option is black tourmaline which can repel low-level energy.
4. Try essential oils.
You can use a lavender essential oil to calm your senses. Make sure you use a good quality essential oil.
Diffuse the oil into your home, rub it on your feet with a carrier oil (coconut, almond, or other oil) or just put it on your wrists and smell it throughout your day.
5. Take a bath.
A sea salt can serve to detoxify your body and your energy. You can add lavender oil to help with relaxation.
It is possible for highly sensitive people and empaths to not only survive the holidays but to also thrive. May these self-care ideas and tips help you have a more joyous and connected holiday season.
Kavita Melwani is a certified empowerment coach, hypnotherapist, past life regressionist, certified money marketing and soul coach, and a Reiki Master. If you need some support or would like next year to be the year you make the changes in your life you have been desiring, contact her for a complimentary clarity session.