A Note to the Empaths During Covid-19

So here I am doing the thing I didn't want to do--adding my voice to the corona-convo which feels like adding more noise to a cacophony. I've honestly been trying to avoid the conversation altogether but that has proven impossible.

I'm in information overload. I am trying to minimize my intake and yet here I am creating more information. A big (very big) part of me is being drug kicking and screaming to the writing of this post but there is another part of me that needs to write this thing so here we are.

For those of you who are feeling overwhelmed, feeling bombarded (with information and with energy), feeling energetically exhausted, who are dealing with the virus situation on it's surface as everyone else is but also have the added burden of feeling and managing all of the energy around it too--this is for you. Because, of all the information being flung around, I have not yet seen any that addresses this unique population of sensitive, intuitive, empathic people who struggle with these things in ways that most don't understand.

First, you are not "too sensitive". The world will tell you this, but it is bullshit. You are not "too" sensitive, you are sensitive, period. This is real and just because those around you don't get it doesn't make it less real. Your overwhelm, overload, and exhaustion are no joke. Again, just because others don't experience the same level of overwhelm does not mean something is wrong with you. You are processing a hell of a lot more energy than the muggles (no judgment here, we love muggles!). As such, your needs will be different. You may need more sleep, more solitude, more nature, more self-care practices. When you feel judged (or are judging yourself!) for needing these things in greater quantities than people around you, remember it is you, not them, who is managing a level of energy beyond "the norm". People's lack of understanding can sometimes result in ridicule and judgment. Ugh, that's a tired, age old story. You don't need to be a part of that story anymore; just keep doing what you need to do--you don't need to expend your energy defending yourself to people who probably aren't going to get it anyway.

On the flip side of this coin, two things. One, it's important in any relationship (empaths or not) to convey our needs and what we are going through to our loved ones so they know how to support us and vice versa. This is doubly important for empaths because non-empathic people aren't going to automatically know what you feel and what you need. Your nervous system is functioning differently than theirs and they probably don't have an automatic frame of reference for what sensitive folks feel like. Kindly let your loved ones know how the world feels for you, don't make them guess or get upset at them for not instinctively knowing how to support you.
Two, it's important not to get all wrapped up in an identity of "an empath". Repeatedly telling yourself (and others) how sensitive you are and how much you are struggling isn't helpful, it perpetuates a victim story. Knowing who you are, how you are, and what you need is empowering. Allowing that knowledge to perpetuate a story of woe is me is disempowering. The last thing you need is to be overwhelmed and disempowered.

Also disempowering is trying to shut down your sensitivity. This almost seems logical: if the problem is sensitivity, shut the sensitivity down. Boom! Problem solved! This is where numbing agents (alcohol, drugs, endless TV binging) becomes attractive. Please don't shut yourself down. The issue isn't your sensitivity, the issue is that you live in a world that has not caught up to your wiring yet. We need that wiring and we need it to be clear. We need you to embrace and honor your unique sensitivities and instead of numbing them out, learn how to manage them so you can stay grounded, centered, and healthy.


In that vain here are some tips for management. They aren't specific to this current viral pandemic, they are good maintenance overall; it's a good time for reminders.

1. Nature is your best friend. Connect with the earth--sit on it, lay on it, walk on it, hug a tree, whatever. Listen to the birds more than CNN. Being in the energy field of nature and trees is for the empath what the ocean is for a fish out of water. It's good, good medicine.

2. Hydrate. Water moves energy. As an empath your system is moving a lot of energy. Being really hydrated is essential for good energetic health.

3. Breathe. Same as #2--breath moves energy and is essential for good energetic health.

4. Trace minerals and cell salts. Everyone needs these because we are all deficient (our soil has become depleted of good nutrients and minerals). For an empathic person, their system will eat cell salts and trace minerals up much faster, leaving them at higher risk for depletion if not replenished. Here are the brands I like:






5. Energetic Distancing. You all know about social distancing right now (and as an empath I'm sure you were already skilled at this long before the virus came around), but energetic distancing is important too. You may not be in the high risk category physically, but you are definitely in the high risk category energetically (think adrenal burnout). It's helpful to avoid the grocery during rush hour. It's helpful to limit screen time (the EFT's alone coming out of the IPhone 10 and up are ridiiiiiiiculous)--the volume of information coming out of our media devices is ridiculously overwhelming. Being informed is great, being overloaded isn't. Besides this, we each need to manage energetic distancing however it feels right for each of us. I've decided not to go on FB (much) until this has settled down. That's been a helpful decision for me.  I've had to ask my family to remove me from group texts centered around corona-talk ad nauseum. If you feel into it, you'll know what you need to do.

6. Unite don't divide. As an empath you have probably spent most of your life feeling different  and wishing people understood you better. Let's remember how that feels and not judge others when we don't understand where they are coming from. The world's discord is what's hard for empathic people so for heaven's sake don't add more discord. Just because we might feel things and process things differently than non-empathic people doesn't mean we should make non-empaths into "the other". Please, for the love of all that is holy, let's not add more divisiveness to the culture. The "us versus them" mentality is precisely what we are trying to heal in the world, not contribute to. Just as we want people to have understanding and compassion for our sensitive nature, it's important for us to maintain compassion and understanding for others and how they are navigating the current pandemic. People are afraid. People are panicky. We have to protect ourselves from getting taken under in that energetic current of fear and anxiety but we can also be mindful of not judging or criticizing those who don't know another way to respond.

7. Let Go. Being sensitive can come with heaviness. It's easy to feel overburdened and serious. It's so important to remember to laugh, dance, be silly, cut loose. You don't have to cling to the "burden" of your sensitivities. Lay it down. Let the inner child breathe. There is good healing power in whimsy and frivolity.

8. Nourish. What is the equivalent of cheesecake for your soul? For me it's a cozy blanket and a good book. Whatever it is for you, do more of that.

Covid-19 isn't something we should be oblivious to, but we also don't need to swim in the waters of mass consciousness, which are polluted with fear and anxiety. Just as we need to be aware and cautious with our physical health, so it is with our energetic health. A body free of virus germs doesn't ensure a body free of energetic overload problems such as adrenal fatigue and autoimmune disease. As with all things, a WHOLE-SELF approach keeps us well, in body, mind, and spirit.

Wishing you all good health and happy spirits,

~Heather