10 Characteristics of an Empath
An empath is a deeply thoughtful person who is highly sensitive to the energy, emotions, and feelings of others.
An empath is like a sponge, deeply absorbing another’s emotional experience, often embodying it as if it is their own.
As a result of their heightened sensitivity, empaths are known to be very compassionate, understanding and nurturing towards all other living creatures — including animals and the natural world.
Their innate awareness of others energetic fields can be overwhelming. An empath absorbs sadness and distress in the same manner that they take in positive emotions.
They have an unwavering sense of knowing what is happening under the surface in any situation.
An empath intuitively understand others needs and are adept at reading people and situations in a deeper capacity than most.
They are active listeners, clear communicators, and have a natural desire to be of service to others.
Empaths are often those in your life who you see as the healers, nurturers and highly sensitive people.
They are often considered introverts, are endlessly giving, and easily overwhelmed.
10Characteristics of an Empath
You feel the emotions of others deeply. Like a human sponge, you can pick up on and absorb the emotions of others around you, often embodying and feeling their experience as if it is your own. Your heightened sensitivity to emotional and physical energy allows you to viscerally experience another’s emotions.
You are highly intuitive. Without others explicitly stating what they are feeling or thinking, you have an innate sense of others inner landscape. There is an unwavering sense of being deeply attuned to whatever person, situation or environment you are in.
You are a compassionate, active listener. People often come to you for advice or emotional support because they feel seen and understood by you. Your mere presence provides comfort to others, and you pick up on verbal, non-verbal and other sensory cues when engaging with others. People that are typically more reserved or that you are just recently meeting, trust you to disclose vulnerable truths to you.
You have a strong connection to animals and nature. Time in nature provides a grounding sense of solace and rejuvenation for you and animals are naturally drawn to you. As individuals who naturally love to give and receive unconditional love, you are likely a pet owner yourself.
You get overwhelmed in crowded environments. Large group gatherings, concerts, sporting events and crowded venues make you feel drained and overwhelm you.
You easily experience sensory overstimulation. Bright or strobing lights and loud or piercing sounds can quickly tax and overwhelm you. Violence, real or on screen, creates a strong internal response within you.
You feel emotionally drained after time with others. Emotional exhaustion occurs after social engagements because you are so attuned to the emotional landscape of the people you surround yourself with.
You enjoy solitude and need time alone to recharge. Emotional and sensory overstimulation occurs quickly for you, meaning you crave time alone in solitude to recalibrate and rejuvenate. You also enjoy your time alone, pursuing creative endeavors, reading, or just unwinding and relaxing in your own company.
You can easily sense the unspoken energy in a room. There is a keen awareness to the energy in any environment you find yourself in. You can sense if you are in a space where there is friction or tension, or if you are in a setting that feels positive or uplifting, without any words needing to be spoken.
You strongly desire to be of service to others. Given your natural high levels of compassion, you volunteer or work in a helping profession. Your innate ability to sense others internal world and ability to provide a soothing presence — means you gravitate towards being in a helping role.
What would you add to the list of qualities that an empath embodies?
