How To Navigate This (Extra Weird) Holiday Season As An Empath

Empaths are highly sensitive people who can easily feel the energies and emotions of others. Empaths, like all humans, crave healthy intimacy and bonding. However, empaths need a bit more healthy retreat and recover time in relationships. Here are some tips for navigating the winter holidays this year as an energy-sensitive person, whether you're gathering in real life or virtually:

This will give you lots of yummy feels in your heart chakra—an energy center empaths are closely connected with. Schedule phone dates with old friends and Zoom meetings with family—whether it's the family you were born into or your chosen family. We hear a lot about how empaths can be overwhelmed by others, yet empaths, being wired to feel others so intimately, are naturally nourished by the energy of others. Being physically distant from certain friends and family during the holidays doesn't have to mean being emotionally distant.

Find reasons to get a break—like taking a walk, taking a nap, or offering to run out solo and do an errand for the group. If you're getting together virtually, remember that Zoom fatigue is real! If you have several virtual chats planned with loved ones, space them out over the day or over a couple of days.

Whether you're getting together virtually or face to face, picture things going well ahead of time. For sensitive people, the days, weeks, and even months leading up to an event can be much more stressful than the event itself. To help manage this anticipatory stress, get an image in your mind's eye of things going smoothly—like people laughing and getting along, or food turning out delicious. Or imagine yourself feeling calm and taking it in stride even if things don't go smoothly! Feel the peacefulness in your body ahead of time that you want to feel at holiday gatherings. 

Or charge it by blessing your talisman in a little ritual or by saying a prayer while holding it and contacting your spirit guides. Keep your empath talisman in your pocket when interacting with others over the holidays. If you are triggered by anyone else's energy—a judgmental family member or a group talking about politics—reach into your pocket, hold your talisman, and breathe mindfully to feel more grounded and calm in the moment.

Find something emotionally and energetically healing to focus on this holiday season—like your favorite holiday movie, an uplifting book, or an online class. The year 2020 has been very intense and collectively traumatic. Empaths should stay informed and involved about world events—we need your compassionate hearts! At the same time, balance the difficult energy with hopeful, nourishing, comforting energy for a healthier holiday season.