Cara,

Especially for an empath, but for everyone, it is important to learn how to self comfort, self nurture. When anxiety rages so distinctly, with the symptoms of “feeding” off people’s emotions, chances are pretty good that you don’t take much time to unplug, turn off the electronics, the internet, the mystery of the boyfriend situation, life situation, and just sit, relax, enjoying silence or soft music.

When we run our bodies hard, they get cranky, like the way toxins build up in our muscles when we work them hard. We need to let things flush, erode the byproduct, unwind and relax, so we can approach our life with a sense of refreshment. My favorite self care activity is metta meditation. It helps the mind become more peaceful, smooth and open, so any given unknown isn’t as pulling, doesn’t demand our attention. This let’s us approach the concerns, needs and dreams we have with a spaciousness, like being able to see things from multiple angles. Consider “Sharon salzberg guided metta meditation” on YouTube, if interested. Really, any self nurturing activities can help, such as a warm bath with candles, soft music, nature walks, going to an art museum. Quiet places where our sense of wonder and peace can rekindle, expand, stretch out.

That being said, sometimes high levels of anxiety are produced by a chemical imbalance or other biological factors. If you have strong self care habits, take time every day to hug and comfort yourself, and still can’t seem to shake the dread, consider checking with your doctor. Sometimes it could be something as simple as not enough D vitamins, or other simple adjustments.

From a different direction, consider that if you’re absorbing the energy from the people around you, loved ones, situations, its like being able to breathe in the wonder of life around you. Without self care, the breath stays held, never releases, and anxiety is the body’s way of saying “I need to poop! I’m backed up!”

With warmth,
Matt