Disclosure: There might be affiliate links on this page. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links but it will be at no additional cost to you.
Do you often find yourself feeling deeply affected by the emotions of others?
Do you have a strong intuition and an ability to understand people’s feelings without them even saying a word?
If so, you may be an empath.
But what exactly is an empath and how can you tell if you are one? In this article, we will explore the difference between empath and empathy and the 11 telltale signs of being an empath.
Before we dive in, let’s clarify the definition of an empath.
What Is an Empath?
An empath is a person who is highly sensitive to the emotions of others. They have a deep understanding and awareness of the feelings, thoughts, and energies of those around them. This sensitivity can be both a blessing and a curse, as empaths often feel overwhelmed by the emotions of others.
There are various types of empaths, including intuitive empaths and physical empaths. However, the term “empath” commonly refers to emotional empaths since most empaths fall under this category. Emotional empaths are highly attuned to the emotional world and can easily absorb the energies around them. We are often described as “emotional sponges” who soak up the feelings of others.
The Difference Between Empath and Empathy
While the terms “empath” and “empathy” may sound similar, they have distinct meanings. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, while an empath actually feels those emotions as if they were their own.
In other words, empathy is the ability to recognize and understand someone else’s emotions, while an empath goes a step further by actually experiencing those feelings. This makes empaths highly sensitive and intuitive individuals who are deeply in tune with their surroundings.
11 Telltale Signs of Being an Empath
Now that we have a better understanding of what an empath truly is, let’s explore some common signs and traits of empaths. If you can relate to most of these, there is a good chance you are an empath.
1. You can sense the emotions and needs of others, even when they don’t express them verbally.
Empaths have a deep understanding of emotions, often perceiving what others feel even without explicit communication. This unique ability enables us to help individuals comprehend and navigate their own feelings, making us well-suited for roles such as counselors, therapists, and educators.
Aside from jobs, this trait also allows us to build strong and meaningful connections with others. When our friends are upset, we can sense it and offer our support without them having to say a word.
We have a natural ability to understand the needs of others, whether it is providing a listening ear, a comforting hug, or simply giving space. Sometimes, we are attuned to what others require, even before they realize it themselves.
2. You often feel overwhelmed in large crowds or public places.
Due to their heightened sensitivity, empaths can easily become overwhelmed in crowded spaces or social situations. With the constant bombardment of emotions around them, they may experience anxiety, fatigue, or even physical symptoms such as headaches.
Empaths are typically highly sensitive people (HSP) too. So external stimuli like loud noises, strong smells, and bright lights can also have a strong impact on us.
To determine if you are an empath, consider whether you feel emotionally drained after spending time in large crowds. While highly sensitive individuals may be affected by overstimulation, their emotions are not as impacted as those of an empath.
There is subtle differences between an empath and a highly sensitive people (HSP). Read this article to find out more.
3. You are a good listener and people find it easy to open up to you.
Empaths are known for their empathetic and compassionate nature. Our ability to understand and feel others’ emotions makes us great listeners, as we can truly empathize with what someone is going through.
Empaths often create a safe space for others to open up and share their deepest thoughts and emotions. Knowing we will listen without judgment or interruption, people feel at ease expressing themselves freely, without feeling the need to be “fixed” or their situation resolved.
Empaths are also great at mirroring others’ emotions, providing people with a deeper understanding of their own feelings when interacting with us.
4. People often come to you with problems.
If you find that people often come to you for advice or to vent their problems, it could be a sign that you are an empath. As empaths are great listeners, people naturally gravitate towards us when they need support or guidance.
Empaths have an instinct to help others, and people can sense that. Therefore, we often attract people who need help. Furthermore, most empaths tend to be intuitive too and this allows us to offer valuable insights and solutions to others. So people often come to us for advice.
However, not all emotional empaths are intuitive empaths, and vice versa. Intuitive empaths who aren’t emotional empaths don’t absorb others’ emotions. They discern people’s feelings through intuition, body language, and tone.
5. You often absorb the emotions and issues of others as if they were your own.
One of the most common traits of an empath is our ability to absorb the emotions and issues of others as if they were our own. This can be both a blessing and a curse, as it allows us to deeply understand and connect with others, but it can also be emotionally draining.
Empaths are highly sensitive individuals, and we tend to pick up on the energy around us. We can sense when someone is angry, sad, or anxious and sometimes, we match their emotions unconsciously. For example, when someone is crying, we may also feel a sense of sadness, even if we don’t know the reason why.
As empaths, it is important to learn how to protect ourselves from absorbing too much emotional energy from others. This could include setting boundaries, taking breaks when needed, and learning to differentiate between our own emotions and those of others.
6. You often prioritize the needs of others above your own.
Empaths have a natural tendency to prioritize the needs of others above their own. This is because we are more attuned to the emotions and needs of those around us than our own.
We tend to be compassionate and empathetic individuals, always wanting to help and support others in any way we can. We might find ourselves preoccupied or pondering the problems of others even when they are not in our presence.
However, while this trait may seem selfless, it can also lead to neglecting our own needs and well-being. As empaths, it is important to remember to take care of ourselves first, so that we help those around us from a place of strength and balance.
7. You have a deep connection with nature and animals.
Many empaths have a deep connection with nature and animals, even if they are not plant or animal empaths. We can often feel a sense of peace and calm when surrounded by nature because, unlike humans, plants and animals do not emit emotional energy that can be overwhelming for us.
Empaths may also have a strong sense of empathy towards animals, often being able to understand their emotions and needs without words. This is because animals do not have the same barriers or societal norms as humans do, allowing empaths to connect with them on a deeper level.
Nature and animals can be a source of grounding and healing for empaths, helping us recharge and find peace amidst the chaos of everyday life.
8. You often need alone time and quiet space to recharge yourself.
Empaths can be introverts or extroverts. However, regardless of our personality type, we can all benefit from alone time and quiet spaces to recharge ourselves.
Constantly being bombarded with the emotions and energies of those around us can be draining for empaths. That’s why we need to have dedicated periods of solitude where we can decompress and process our own emotions without external influence.
This could mean taking a walk in nature, meditating, reading a book, or simply spending time alone in a quiet room. Whatever activity helps you recharge and find inner peace, make sure to prioritize it as part of your self-care routine.
9. You find it painful to watch or read about violence, tragedy, or suffering.
Empaths are highly sensitive to the emotions and energies of others, and this extends to what we see or read about in media. As a result, we may find it challenging to watch or read about violence, tragedy, or cruelty without feeling overwhelmed.
This is because we empaths feel the pain and suffering of others as if it were our own. We can easily put ourselves in someone else’s shoes and experience their emotions, even if we have never been through a similar situation.
While it is important to stay informed about current events, empaths may need to limit their exposure to certain types of media that can be emotionally triggering. For our mental and emotional well-being, it is crucial to set boundaries and prioritize self-care in these situations.
10. You struggle with setting boundaries and saying no.
Empaths are naturally giving and compassionate individuals, and we often put the needs of others before our own. As a result, we may struggle with setting boundaries and saying no when someone asks for our help or time.
Sometimes, empaths don’t set boundaries because we don’t know ourselves well enough. We can’t differentiate between our feelings and the emotions we pick up from others, making it challenging to know what we truly want or need.
We may also feel guilty for saying no and fear that we are letting others down. As empaths, we can sense the disappointment or frustration in others when we say no. Therefore, we may avoid setting boundaries to avoid these potentially uncomfortable feelings.
Read this blog post to learn more about empath’s hidden struggles.
11. You don’t like conflicts and tend to avoid them.
Empaths are highly sensitive to emotions and energy, making conflicts particularly challenging for us. We may feel overwhelmed by the intensity of emotions during a conflict and struggle to find a resolution that satisfies everyone involved.
As a result, we may avoid conflicts altogether or try to appease others to keep the peace. However, avoiding conflicts can lead to suppressing our own thoughts and feelings, causing inner turmoil and potential resentment towards others.
Empaths need to learn how to handle conflicts in a healthy manner, which includes setting boundaries and communicating our needs effectively. With practice, we can find ways to resolve conflicts without sacrificing our own well-being.
Still not sure if you are an empath, check out the video below where I share my experiences and see if you resonate with them.
Emotional Empath Q&A
Below are a few questions to help you better understand what an empath is and whether you are one.
1. How do you know if you are a real empath?
The key indicator is having the ability to deeply understand and feel others’ emotions, often to a point where it can be overwhelming. If you find yourself easily absorbing other people’s moods and feelings, there is a strong chance you are an empath.
As mentioned at the start of this article, this blog post focuses primarily on emotional empaths. If you don’t feel other people’s emotions deeply, you might belong to a different category of empath. Explore more in the following questions.
2. Are there different types of empaths? If so, what are they?
Yes, there are many different types of empaths based on the type of energy they absorb or feel. The three main types of empaths are emotional empaths, physical empaths, and intuitive empaths.
Emotional empaths absorb the emotions of others and can easily understand and connect with them on an emotional level. Physical empaths feel the physical sensations of others, such as pain or discomfort. Intuitive empaths have a strong sense of intuition and can pick up on the thoughts and feelings of those around them.
These three main empath types can be further broken down into more specific categories, such as animal empaths, plant empaths, Heyoka empaths, psychic empaths, and many others. Each type has its unique traits and signs, and you can be more than one type of empath.
3. What is the key difference between an emotional empath and a physical empath?
An emotional empath primarily absorbs and experiences others’ emotions, while a physical empath feels and physically experiences other people’s pain or discomfort. Both types of empaths have heightened sensitivity to energy and emotions, but their experiences may differ.
An emotional empath may experience physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, or fatigue as a result of being overwhelmed by other people’s emotions. On the other hand, a physical empath may experience emotional distress due to feeling others’ pain or discomfort.
4. What is the key difference between an emotional empath and an intuitive empath?
While an emotional empath focuses on feeling and absorbing others’ emotions, an intuitive empath relies more on their strong sense of intuition to pick up on the thoughts and feelings of those around them.
Intuitive empaths may also have the ability to sense or predict future events based on their heightened intuition. They can also understand people’s true intentions and motivations without being told directly. In contrast, an emotional empath is more likely to experience and process emotions on a deeper level, often feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of others’ emotions.
However, both types of empaths possess a strong sense of empathy and are highly attuned to others’ emotional experiences. So, while they may have different approaches, they share similar traits in their ability to understand and connect with others on an emotional level. So, they both are valuable and important in their own ways.
5. What are the benefits and challenges of being an empath?
Empaths have the unique ability to deeply connect and understand others on an emotional level. This makes them great listeners, friends, and caregivers, which helps us develop deep relationships. We also feel a variety of emotions intensely, which allows us to experience life in a vibrant and authentic way.
However, being an empath also comes with its challenges. We can easily become overwhelmed by the strong emotions of others, leading to exhaustion and burnout. People may dump their problems on us constantly, and we have a hard time setting boundaries because we don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Thus, we often have to withdraw ourselves to recharge and protect our energy, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
6. Are empaths born or created?
Being an empath is a mixture of both nature and nurture. Some people may have a natural inclination towards empathy, while others may develop it through life experiences and learning.
Check out the video below to discover how your upbringing can influence your life as an empath.
7. Can you turn off being an empath?
It is not possible to completely turn off being an empath, as it is a part of who we are. However, with self-awareness and proper self-care techniques, empaths can learn to manage their abilities and set boundaries to prevent overwhelm.
Final Thoughts
If you resonate with the traits and signs mentioned in this article, there is a strong chance that you are an empath. However, it’s important to remember that everyone experiences empathy differently, and not all empaths will have the same characteristics.
Remember, being an empath is not a label or diagnosis, but rather a way to understand and embrace your unique traits and abilities.
Being an empath is a unique and powerful gift, but it can also be challenging at times. If you are overwhelmed with emotions, read this article on how to protect yourself from negative energy.
