Has anyone ever said “you have a confident face”? Do you find yourself easily listening to other people’s problems? Do strangers easily share intimate secrets? If so, you’ve probably been through life more affected by other people’s energies than you think.

As an empath, you are someone who has been programmed, from birth, to perceive and experience the thoughts, emotions, physical sensitivities, and spiritual impulses of other people. It is much more than being a very sensitive person and it is not limited to just emotions. For you, it can be like experiencing an episode of Star Trek! You don’t even have to try and you only know other people’s motivations and intentions.

You cannot change the fact that you are empathetic. It is similar to the color of your eyes. Either you are or you are not. You cannot be taught to be empathetic; it is not something to learn. However, you can learn to become a expert empath and manage your empathic nature. Hopefully, you have made, or will now, your intention to modify the intensity of the empathic experience through adaptive means (meditation, movement, grounding, use of protective stones). However, it is quite common for empaths to modify feelings by not so adaptive means (alcohol, drugs, addictions). If you fall into that category, it is completely understandable and you are not alone. Almost every empath I have come across has sought, at one time or another, to alter their mood through addictions.

The definition of being empathetic means that you are always “on”, constantly available to process other people’s feelings and energy. As an empath, you have a gift or, in many cases, what can seem like a serious curse! For now, let’s put the notions of judgment aside. Even if it feels like an overwhelming burden, which it certainly is at times, our responsibility as empaths is to ourselves first and others second. So with that in mind, let’s focus on how we can take responsibility for managing our energy sensitivity.

But be careful. Identifying and acknowledging yourself as an empath can put a burden on you. It can cause a prolonged feeling of relief, close to vertigo. You will come to understand that, as an empath, you are not alone.

So with that in mind, let’s talk about what I’ve found to be 5 of the most helpful methods for staying clean, strong, and healthy as an empath, free from the negative energetic influences of others.

1. REFORM YOUR MENTAL PERSPECTIVE

Being empathetic is indeed a burden at times. To be most effective, we must do what counselors call reframing, that is, change our mental outlook so that there is no room for blame. We can do very little to change our currently inherited genetic traits (although I believe that the prayer of a sincere heart can change the past, the present, and the future. But that’s another story!).

As empaths, it helps to take a close look at our personal narrative. What are the stories we tell ourselves while washing dishes or peeling potatoes? If we believe in a story that we need protection from evil spirits or negative energy, then we are more likely to prepare for the manifestation of that scenario. As empaths, we understand what it’s like to be hit by other people’s energy. However, I don’t think it is as effective as possible to focus only on protection. If instead we focus on how to maintain a strong and healthy aura, any negative energy will naturally and automatically dissipate. Negative energy cannot exist in the presence of light. To use a political or sports metaphor, it is a question of whether you want to be on offense or on defense. Focusing on promoting positive strengths is almost always more effective than a mental perspective designed to protect your empathic energy from encroachment. That said, it is absolutely true that empaths need protection, we just don’t want to overdo it.

2. USE PROTECTIVE STONES AND USE A MEDICINE KIT

Stones have been known for their healing and protective properties for thousands of years. Stones are the oldest material on earth, they are living creatures that offer us their medicine if we use it. The stones can be worn by wearing a medicine bag around the neck or by wearing stone jewelry. I have found that the three best negative energy repellants are tourmaline, onyx, and obsidian. Like you, your stones need to be cleaned regularly. I clean my stones generally every few days, depending on the intensity of my daily empathic interactions. Give your stones at least 2-3 hours of direct sunlight in a glass or glass container filled with sea salt and water. If you can’t access sunlight, put them under some tap water. It does an almost as good job.

3. USE NEW TECHNOLOGY

The first products that deserve mention are the mats that produce far infrared light waves (heat) that penetrate deep into the body. I own a massage table size product called Amethyst BioMat that I have found indispensable for cleansing energy. I lie on it every day when I feel a buildup of energy. It uses far infrared heat, along with negative ions and the healing power of amethyst, to increase blood circulation, thus producing an artificial fever in which the body’s immune system is stimulated. As you relax on the warm amethyst, toxins are flushed out in as little as 30 minutes a day.

The second set of empathic products worth considering are electromagnetic field protectors (EMF) that are now on the market. My experience has been that finding the right EMF shield for one’s unique energetic makeup can be hit or miss. I tried various products with no success before finding the BioElectric Shield pendant. It is an EMF protection device that blocks 80 percent of other people’s energies. I could feel the energy swirling in my field the moment I put it on. It is really crucial to understand that each person’s energy system is different. The Q-Link pendant is another option that many empaths have reported successful. I list them simply because I have found them useful in my own experience and that of my clients.

4. MOVE IN!

Exercise and movement in any form are great ways for empaths to move old energy and draw in fresh energy. Martial arts and yoga are two of the best methods for an empath. Even a simple movement of the arm can be enough, or even a simple recognition that your wrist hurts. The body responds to our focused attention in kind. If you are intimidated by the concept of martial arts, try yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, or an easy-to-use practice like Nia, which is now popping up around the world. It certainly wouldn’t be as effective without my Nia practice. Nia is a practice that retrains the nervous system by combining a series of intentional healing body poses with the power of dance and yoga. I find it to be the most joyful and fun experience of every day.

5. PROGRAM YOUR BRAIN WITH AFFIRMATIONS AND PRAYER.

The actual physical expression of particular words and sounds has a powerful effect on our empathic energy fields. In my coaching work with empaths, this is known as neurolinguistic programming. The brain and body are programmed to produce good feelings by repeating certain mantras, words, or phrases. The process is designed to stimulate the empathic nervous system to intentionally produce real energetic vibrations and feelings of peace, happiness, joy, and tranquility.

When you become a conscious empath, you will dramatically reduce your stress and anxiety, improve your mental outlook, improve relationships, and lead to previously unknown freedom and liberation. You can create joy where there was none before. In situations where you previously felt trapped, now you can bring positive energy to change situations. You will begin to illuminate other people’s lives in a new way and fulfill your destiny as an empath to help others. All of these skills require practice. Over time, they will come more naturally. At some point, you will reach a tipping point; a critical point where your consciousness exceeds your unconsciousness. It takes work on yourself to get to this place. Some empaths go through their entire lives and never reach it, but only out of a lack of will. If your will is strong enough, you will reach a place of emotional maturity and become a skilled empath.