Emotional Triggers For Empaths: What Are They (And How To Avoid Them)

If you’ve ever been called a highly sensitive person, an attentive listener, and someone with an empathetic heart, then you might be considered as an “empath”.

An empath is a great friend and a partner, one whom you can always count on but on the other hand, empaths are often called an emotional sponge and someone who takes away the emotional pain of others at their expense. Empaths easily get upset and overwhelmed by emotions (of others as well as their own) and situations.

While being in tune with the emotions of others can benefit you, on the other hand, it can cause you, an empath, to experience emotional burnout and self-doubt.

The world these days is an overwhelming place and more so for empaths. Below are some common emotional triggers for empaths and how to avoid them before they overload and trigger anxiety or other distressing emotions.

Emotional Triggers For Empaths

Empaths are sensitive to emotional and traumatic events and can be triggered simply by experiencing an emotionally arousing event. An empath can develop certain triggers after experiencing a stimulating or traumatic event.

In some extreme cases, these emotional triggers can even cause symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in empaths.

Many empaths have strong control over their emotional response but many empaths don’t and, sadly, triggering such empaths isn’t difficult. Micro emotional situations can trigger a distressing emotional response in an empath.

Here are some common empath triggers that you need to look out for:

1. Others’ Pain And Suffering

We all are suffering in one way or another and empaths – being the great friends they are – will drop everything to help ease your pain and suffering. But what about after? You feel relieved but the empath is the one suffering now. This empath trigger is very important to know so that you can state your boundaries beforehand and prevent being emotionally drained.

Boundaries will protect you while helping others without losing your mental and emotional health in the process.

2. Others’ Demands And Expectations

Empaths are happy to help others and often lose themselves to fulfilling others’ demands and expectations. And while meeting others’ demands can make an empath satisfied, it can also drain their energy and leave them emotionally burned out. Here, as an empath, you can learn to trust your intuition and understand that it’s OK to disappoint others sometimes, especially when your mental health is on the line.

3. Too Much Intimacy

Too much intimacy can also be an emotional trigger for empaths. Most empaths love the idea of intimacy and connection. An empath is highly in tune with their partner’s needs and enjoys being with them. However, too much intimacy can make an empath overload. To an empath, when this happens, make sure you’re aware of your needs and boundaries too.

4. Feelings Of Worthlessness

Self-worth and the value of self are very important, even to an empath. The emotional empath trigger of feelings of worthlessness can cause a highly emotional person to get overwhelmed by negative emotions. If you’re experiencing this, know that you’re worth it and your purpose is to truly know emotions. We need you!

5. Being Told To “Get Over It”

When an empath is told to “get over it”, it can make them feel that their emotions are too much (which isn’t a bad thing). Here, an empath’s mind replaces security with self-doubt. As an empath, don’t bottle up your feelings and talk about them with your support system.

Remember, your emotions are not a burden, and there’s no need to “get over them”. Embrace your emotions but learn to separate them too.

How To Avoid Empath Emotional Triggers?

1. Set Boundaries (And Follow Them)

Learn to say “no” and learn not to solve others’ issues for them. Instead set some boundaries to protect your emotional health and ones that help keep your energy up. And remember to follow through to them. Boundaries are there to protect your emotional health, especially if you’re an empath.

2. Become Self-Aware

As an empath, you need to know your emotions better to be able to separate them from others’ emotions. Practice self-awareness or mindfulness to become more attentive to your senses first.

3. Don’t Miss Alone Time

Empaths are highly sensitive and that’s why as an empath you should take some time to unwind, preferably in nature. When things become too overwhelming, step aside and dedicate some alone time to recharge your heart, mind, and soul.

4. Remember To Be Self-Compassionate

Empaths are more vulnerable to self-criticism than others. Empaths often, to take care of others, forget to care for themselves and be kind to themselves. IF you’re an empath, then remember to be compassionate towards yourself too!

If you are experiencing challenges in dealing with your emotional triggers, remember that you’re not alone. You can always ask for professional help by contacting us at info@calmsage.com or DM us on social media.

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Remember, you’re a pure and incredible person and no one has the right to say otherwise!

If you’re an empath and can relate to the empath triggers mentioned above, let us know your way of dealing with your emotional triggers in the comments below! We’re always here to listen to you!

You’re precious and you’re loved!

Take Care!