Is it possible to feel other peoples emotions

You may find it helpful to set appropriate boundaries with others, says Turecek. It also supports a healthy relationship dynamic. Boundaries can come in many forms. These include:. You could imagine being surrounded by a bubble or other impenetrable force during intense interactions. You can also visualize their emotions going through and down into the ground, rather than sticking to you. If so, says Ahrens, notice how your baseline changed.

Are you more agitated, sad, or anxious? There are many activities and lifestyle habits that may help you feel rooted and connected to an inner sense of calm. After social interactions, consider creating a ritual to help put some space between you and what you may have picked up.

For example, you can take a shower after an activity with large crowds. Some may find it helpful to burn some sage or palo santo. Try taking a walk in a nearby park, spending some time watching waves move in and out, or putting your feet on the earth in the forest. Besides finding a quiet place to retreat and process your experience, try journaling about your emotions or taking a warm shower or bath to reset your nerves.

Erin Miers , a clinical psychologist in Lebanon, New Hampshire. You may find it helpful to offload your feelings in a neutral space. A therapist may provide useful strategies and resources to help you manage your boundaries. Is this ability to attune to others something that you picked up in early childhood , perhaps as a way to stay safe? If so, a therapist can help you process these complex experiences.

Empathy is part of the human experience. When you feel bogged down by the world around you, it may be helpful to remember that there are many benefits to being empathetic and sensitive. Or that you'd prefer to argue by text or without eye contact and that you'll need to take regular breaks when discussions are filled with strong feelings. Try to tune into what supports you to recharge and to keep your feet on the ground when someone is grieving or angry or desperately hopeless.

And keep in mind that your limits are your limits. You don't need to apologise for them and there is no normal here. Setting limits like these consistently is very hard to do but it does get easier with practice. Take some time to explore the nature and history of your sensitivity to the feelings of others. For some of us, the roots of our tenderness lie in childhood trauma, early losses or circumstances that left us needing to care emotionally for our parents. Or maybe you're neurodivergent and you've been discriminated against for your emotional response style and had your right to set boundaries violated in a culture where you were expected to constantly accommodate yourself to others.

Or maybe, like Lady Gaga, you were just born this way. Finding out about your rawness will help you to have more compassion for yourself and your close people and the unique ways you experience the world. Find a place to explore your feelings and emotional history. This can allow you to be more resilient in the face of others' strong emotion and ultimately allow you to be able to be more empathetic in the truest sense, especially toward yourself.

A caring witness — whether they be a trusted friend, mentor or a therapist — who allows your feelings to be the focus and meets you in a way that is most comfortable for you can go a long way to protecting you from emotional exhaustion and making more space in your life for loving emotional connection. Get our newsletter for the best of ABC Everyday each week. ABC Everyday helps you navigate life's challenges and choices so you can stay on top of the things that matter to you.

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Print text only. But as an empath, you take things a step further. Empaths often find frequent close contact difficult, which can make romantic relationships challenging. You want to connect and develop a lasting partnership. But spending too much time with someone leads to stress , overwhelm, or worries about losing yourself in the relationship.

But setting healthy, clear boundaries can help reduce distress, Egel suggests. Ever felt like you have a strong gut reaction to things that feel a bit off? Maybe you pick up on dishonesty easily or just know when something seems like a good or bad idea.

Empaths tend to be able to pick up on subtle cues that provide insight on the thoughts of others, suggests Barrie Sueskind , a therapist in Los Angeles who specializes in relationships. As an empath, you might put a lot of faith in your instincts when making decisions. Anyone can benefit from spending time in natural settings.

But empaths may feel even more drawn to nature and remote areas, since natural environments provide a calming space to rest from overwhelming sensations, sounds, and emotions. You might feel completely at peace when hiking alone in a sunlit forest or watching waves crash against the shore. Even a quiet walk through a garden or an hour sitting under trees may lift your spirits, soothe overstimulation, and help you relax.

In crowded or busy places, this sensitivity may seem magnified to the point of being almost unbearable. As a result, you may feel most comfortable on your own or in the company of just a few people at a time. You may find it difficult to watch someone struggle and act on your natural inclination to help ease their distress, even if that means absorbing it yourself.

Sensitive, empathic people tend to be fantastic listeners. Your loved ones may feel comforted by your support and reach out to you first whenever they experience difficulty. Caring deeply can make it hard to tell people when you approach the point of overwhelm.

Empaths may also be more vulnerable to manipulation or toxic behaviors. Your earnest desire to help people in distress can leave you unaware of signs of toxicity. You may have a deeper understanding of the pain fueling their behavior and want to offer support.

Empaths can also be extroverts , or fall anywhere on the spectrum. Maybe people energize you — until you reach that point of overwhelm. Extroverted empaths may need to take extra care to strike the right balance between spending time with others and restoring their emotional reserves. Higher sensitivity can make it easier for someone to hurt your feelings.

Even offhand remarks might cut more deeply, and you may take criticism more personally. Despite being highly attuned to the feelings of others, many empaths find it difficult to relate to others. Others might not understand why you become exhausted and stressed so quickly.