Disclaimer: I will be doing threads on various personalities in the coming weeks.
I once mentioned that i'm an empath and unfortunately we are going through alot especially during this pandemic. This an empaths 101 thread are and how they can cope during this pandemic.

Empaths are people who can take on the emotions and moods of others as their own. They extend themselves outwardly taking on and empathizing with the emotions of other people. You can say that they feel deeply and with intensity.

In other words an empath can feel people's energies and sense their intentions.

We are termed as highly sensitive individuals; however,that is a distinction i'll make on my next thread. These are the various traits an empath possesses:

1. Empaths absorb other people's emotions. They are highly attuned to their emotions & others and sometimes feel things to an extreme. They take on anxiety & negativity around them but if there are positive emotions i.e. love they take on them and flourish.

2. Empaths have huge hearts.
They are big- hearted and want to relieve the pain of others. You hardly put yourself first and that has a way of draining your energy because you hardly concentrate on yourself.

3. Tragic Incidents can overwhelm you.
An example is COVID-19, the health financial& social impact immensely takes a toll on you and drains your energy leaving you lethargic because you absorb all the energies around you as it is beyond your control.

4. Empaths are highly introverted.
This is quite a vivid trait. They pick up every form of energy in the room and therefore large crowds amplify their empathy and this can overwhelm them. They prefer one to one contact or small groups for interaction.

As super responders, they periodically need time to recharge this provides a brief escape from emotional overload.

5. They are highly intuitive.
Well it' s well known that women's intuition is never wrong. Try being an empath, that sense of intuition is heightened and impossible to shake off due to the ability to feel things deeply.

6. Empaths are prey to energy predators.
Remember, they have the ability to feel deeply and due to their personality they are prey to those who are likely to tap into their energy ie. Narcissisists. This is a topic on it's own but point is they are vulnerable.

To summarise the point; you are a magnet for toxic or needy people who drain your energy levels.

So how can empaths cope during this pandemic...

1. Accept yourself; Empaths have higher emotional reactions than other people and i'm here to say it's ok. Accept your feelings even the difficult ones. Don't be ashamed of them instead find a way to express them. You can journal or talk to a friend .

2. Exercise- This helps release tension,elevate and stabilize the mood and reduces the levels of anxiety.

3. Rest. We often forget mind and body are connected.Absorbing information, worrying and feeling stressed takes a toll on us emotionally and this also affects our physical health. Disengage from people & social media when overwhelmed. Recharging is key.

4. Feed your mind. Read books and articles that interest you. Empaths are introverts in nature and what we consider as fun and relaxing isn't the same for everyone. You need an inner life not just an outer one.

It's totally ok to be an empath. The analogy i can use is that your are like glass that needs to be handled with care. People will call you emotional but embrace it. That is who you are and you make the world a better place.

Asanteni for coming to my Ted Talk.