Why do empathic and sensitive people often feel burned out?

Have you ever left a meeting or social gathering feeling exhausted or drained of energy?

Or maybe you step out of a store or other public place and find yourself distant and irritable with loved ones? Or do you start your day feeling cheerful and happy, but come home at night feeling sad or depressed for no reason?

If this happens to you often, you’re probably an empath or a highly sensitive person.

Due to several key aspects of their inherent nature and the way they interact with the world around them, empaths and highly sensitive people (HSPs) often experience burnout from other people, social gatherings, crowds, and certain environments. The main reasons for this phenomenon are as follows:

Genetic susceptibility: Research shows that the trait of high sensitivity is influenced by genetic factors, which influence how an individual processes sensory information and emotional stimuli. A key aspect of this genetic influence is the way the brain processes serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, appetite, sleep and sensory perception. Variations in genes related to the serotonin transporter have been linked to differences in emotional reactivity and sensitivity to the environment. Research suggests that individuals with certain variations in these genes may display characteristics consistent with high sensitivity, such as deeper cognitive processing of sensory information, heightened emotional reactivity, and greater empathy.

Highly sensitive people (empaths) suffer more, but they also love harder, dream bigger, experience deeper perspective and happiness. When you are sensitive, you are full of vitality in this beautiful world~ victoria errickson

Deep Processing: Empaths and HSPs process emotional stimuli more deeply than others. They are highly sensitive to the emotions and energies of those around them, often experiencing these emotions as their own. This deep level of emotional processing can be overwhelming and exhausting, especially in emotionally stimulating or rich environments, such as crowds or social gatherings.

Sensory overload: Highly sensitive people have a heightened sensitivity to sensory input. Loud noises, bright lights, and strong smells can be overwhelming for HSPs. The richness and intensity of sensory stimulation in crowded, chaotic environments can lead to sensory overload, making HSPs particularly exhausted.

High compassion: Empaths and HSPs often have high levels of empathy, kindness, and compassion, which drives them to connect with, help, and heal others. While these traits are wonderful gifts to the world, they can also lead to emotional exhaustion, especially when the empath or HSP feels unable to help or is overly eager to help others.

Emotional resonance: Empaths and sensitives have highly active mirror neurons, which are the parts of the brain responsible for empathy and the ability to regulate the emotional states of others. This heightened neural activity allows empaths to resonate more deeply with the emotions and energies of others, accepting them as their own.

Empathic overarousal: Empaths have an innate ability to understand the mental, emotional, and physical states of others. In social situations or groups, empaths may unintentionally absorb the stress, anxieties, and emotions of those around them. This empathic overarousal can lead to feelings of overwhelm and depletion as they struggle to differentiate between their own emotions and those of others.

compassion fatigue: Empaths often feel a strong desire to help or heal others, a desire that can be amplified through their own painful experiences and trauma healing. However, continually taking on the emotional burden of others without adequate self-care can lead to compassion or empathy fatigue, a condition in which empaths become emotionally and physically exhausted.

Lack of boundaries: Empaths and HSPs may have difficulty setting boundaries emotionally and physically. Without effective boundaries, they may find themselves overexposed to exhausting situations and people, making it harder for them to protect their energy and well-being.

I understand now that I am not a messy person, but a deeply affectionate person in a messy world. I now explain when people ask me why I cry a lot, “For the same reason I laugh a lot—because I’m concentrating~ Glennon Doyle Melton

Downtime required: Both empaths and HSPs need more downtime to rest and recharge than other people. The constant bombardment of stimulation and emotional energy from others can quickly deplete their energy reserves, requiring periods of solitude and quiet to recover.

trauma: Traumatic experiences can profoundly affect the empath’s or HSP’s ability to recuperate energy, affecting their mental, emotional, and sometimes physical health. In addition to the empath’s inherent sensitivity, traumatic experiences in childhood and adulthood can lead to hypervigilance to others’ emotional changes (often as a protective or coping mechanism), further depleting the empath’s energy reserves.

Mental empathy: In addition to emotional empathy, spiritual empathy also involves perceiving and bearing the mental or energetic burden of others.This can be especially draining if the empath doesn’t know how to release or transform these energies effectively

energy transfer: All human interactions involve some form of energy exchange. Empaths and HSPs are more open and sensitive to the energy of others, often absorbing the negative or toxic energy of those around them, while others steal their healing energy, leading to a feeling of being drained of energy.

Unshielded Aura: Empaths and HSPs tend to have more open or unshielded auras or energy fields, making them more susceptible to the energy of others. Without proper grounding, cleaning, and shielding techniques, they can be overwhelmed by external energy.

Karmic connection: Soul contract connections with others, especially those that result in significant energy expenditure, are sometimes rooted in karma or past life connections. These unresolved energies or soul lessons from past lives may manifest in the present and need to be addressed or healed.

Energy lines: Energy lines are invisible connections between individuals that form during interactions, and are especially strong in emotional or intimate relationships. These cords can become conduits for energy transfer, and empaths are often on the receiving end of energy drain, especially when these cords are connected to toxic individuals or people experiencing negativity or chaos.

Empaths must be careful not to internalize the feelings of others, as this can make them feel anxious, sad, or even depressed. It can leave the empath feeling drained or exhausted. They must learn to set boundaries to avoid letting toxic people drain them dry~ Donna Bourgeois

modern technology: The rapid development and widespread presence of digital and communication technologies has had a wide-ranging impact on the mental health of empaths and sensitive people. While it provides incredible benefits and conveniences, its impact on the emotional and energetic health of highly sensitive individuals and empaths is profound and multifaceted, including information overload, electromagnetic frequencies (EMF), toxic social interactions The impact of media and the effects of reduced attention span. The quality of social connections and relationships.

Planetary Shift: Empaths and Sensitives are acutely aware of global spiritual awakenings, planetary energy shifts, and earth changes that have been occurring for decades but have become especially evident since the 1990s. The widespread energy escalation and accompanying emotional turmoil continues to affect us, and this sensitivity is reflected not only in our responses to immediate events, but also in our resonance with the broader challenges facing our planet. In the resulting storm of collective disconnection, negative emotions, and strong resistance from the unawakened, we have also more deeply felt the impact of social conflicts and natural disasters such as fires, earthquakes, and extreme weather.

Having said that, should empaths and HSPs accept their fate simply because they are more sensitive and attuned, and allow this disruption to drain their energy, affect their mood, and destroy their happiness?

Absolutely not!

The more we understand and accept our sensitivity as empaths and HSPs, the more we can consciously implement strategies to effectively manage our energy, such as setting boundaries, practicing healthy living and spiritual self-care, and seeking more beneficial social interactions and the environment for our well-being.

Please read my next blog post for a guide to effective energy management for empaths and highly sensitive people to learn how to keep your vibration high.