Body as Empath - Massage & More Tips to Stay in Balance

Are you, like me, someone who is easily impacted by the emotions of those around you - whether supportive or stressful?

If so, you're likely familiar with the concept of being an empath, that heightened sensitivity to the emotions, moods and energies of other people and places.

One thing I didn't realize for a long time is that being an empath can also manifest physically.

That’s where massage - and other energy clearing techniques (see below) - can come in, as powerful ways to ground, release absorbed tension and restore balance on both an emotional and physical level.

The great gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy - we can all sense a mysterious connection to each other. ~ Meryl Streep

The Empathic Body: When Emotions Take Up Space

Empaths are often referred to as "emotional sponges."

We can walk into a room and immediately pick up on what's likely going on - be it comfortable, uncomfortable or somewhere in between.

Sometimes, we can be affected deeply, finding ourselves responding with stress, fatigue or even physical tension. If we're unsteady in ourselves, we might also find that our body starts to reflect others' emotional states.

Tight shoulders, neck pain, headaches and even stomach discomfort can be our body’s way of processing (or struggling to release) the emotions that have been triggered in us.

Imagine holding onto the impact of a friend’s sorrow for weeks or mirroring a coworker’s anxiety all day.

Unless we take care, the impact on our body can leave us feeling weighed down and physically uncomfortable.

And while empathy is a beautiful gift, it can also be draining without the proper tools to stay in balance.

As empaths, we are not here to be sponges or enablers. We are here to be helpers, guides and supporters. ~ Aletheia Luna

How Massage Helps an Empath’s Body Let Go

Massage, with its focus on touch and physical release, can be incredibly grounding for those who experience the world with heightened sensitivity.

Here are a few reasons why massage is particularly beneficial for empaths:

1. Releases Stored Tension and Emotional Energy

Massage is more than just relaxing muscles - it can be a therapeutic way to release stuck energy in our body. When our body is highly empathic, emotional tension can build up, creating tightness or even pain in certain areas. A skilled massage therapist can help release that tension through techniques that stimulate blood flow, improve lymphatic drainage and encourage the muscles to relax.

2. Grounds Our Energy

When we are easily impacted by the emotions of people and places around us, it’s easy to feel "scattered" or out of balance. Massage helps to centre us. By engaging with our body through touch, massage encourages us to focus inward and become aware of our physical sensations. This grounding effect can help  distinguish between what’s ours and what isn't - allowing us to reclaim our personal space, both energetically and physically.

3. Supports Emotional Release

There is a reason why people sometimes cry during a massage. When we hold onto emotions for too long, they can become physically stored in the body, particularly in areas like the chest, abdomen or hips. A massage can help shed the emotional weight that’s been held onto, leaving us with a sense of relief and lightness.

4. Boosts Our Sense of Self-Care

For empaths, practising self-care is essential - especially since we may have the tendency to prioritize the needs of others over our own. Massage is an act of nurturing that allows us to put our needs first, helping us recharge our emotional and physical reserves. In turn, this makes us more resilient and better equipped to handle the emotional energy around us in our day to day lives.

5. Enhances Emotional Awareness

Massage can provide a unique opportunity to tune into our body’s sensations and connect with our emotions on a deeper level. While receiving a massage, we might find ourselves surprised to notice more tension in our body than we realized. We may also become more aware of what emotions are lingering and what our body is trying to communicate. This heightened awareness can empower us to better navigate our emotional landscape, both in moments of stress and in our everyday life.

Empathy is the medicine the world needs.
~ Judith Orloff

Seven Simple Tips to Let Go and Stay in Balance

Massage may not always be an option. Or, we may want to complement treatments with self-care practices that help us stay grounded, centred and resilient as we navigate life, especially in situations that feel overwhelming, draining or chaotic.

Here are a seven simple practices that can be easily woven into our daily life...

1. Grounding
 
Grounding connects our energy to the Earth, anchoring us in the present moment and providing stability. Spend time barefoot on the ground, get in touch with plants and trees, or work with natural elements to reinforce your connection to the Earth.
 
2. Centering
 
Centering focuses our energy inward, helping us stay aligned with our own essence. Place your hands over your heart or solar plexus, close your eyes, and breathe deeply. Imagine your energy settling into your core, like water finding stillness in a pool.
 
3. Clearing
 
Clearing removes stagnant or unhelpful energies. Visualize a shower of light pouring over you, washing away all that doesn't serve. Smudge with sage or use space clearing spray. Have a bath, swim or shower. Use sound such as chimes or chanting to break up and release stuck energy.
 
4. Energy Boundaries
 
Healthy energetic boundaries allow us to remain open and compassionate without losing our sense of self. Visualize yourself surrounded by a bubble of luminosity while setting the intention that it lets in all that is nurturing and supportive while filtering out anything that isn't.
 
5. Inviting a Connection with Source
 
Aligning with source - whatever name we might give it - strengthens our energy field and infuses us with qualities such as love, wisdom and peace. Begin your day with a moment of prayer, meditation - or the Art of Jin Shin :-) - inviting life force energy to flow through you.
 
6. Energetic Renewal
 
We can regularly replenish our energy by engaging in activities that nourish our spirit, such as time in nature, creative expression or spiritual practices. Imagine breathing in fresh, vibrant energy with every inhale and releasing tired, heavy energy with every exhale.

7. Gratitude and Reciprocity
 
Maintaining a good balance isn't just about cleansing and clearing - it's also about honouring the flow of life within and around us. Offer gratitude to the earth, life and your body for supporting you. Recognize the vital exchange of energy in your relationships and environment.

Not only is empathy hard to outsource and automate, but it makes the world a better place. ~ Daniel H. Pink

Consistency and the Power of Touch

Consistency is key. Even a few minutes of mindfully engaging with energy clearing practices each day can make a big difference in how we feel and show up in the world.

As an empath, our body is more than just a vessel for carrying us through the world; it’s a sensitive, intuitive communicator of the emotions and energies we encounter. While this sensitivity is a gift, it’s essential to take time for ourselves to release any energies we may have absorbed.

In this sense, massage is one powerful tool that can help us unwind, reconnect with our body and restore emotional balance. Whether we're feeling physically tense, emotionally drained or just need a moment of deep relaxation, massage can offer a gentle but profound way to care for our empathic body.

It not only offers physical benefits - it’s also about nurturing ourself in a way that allows us to continue to give and receive in a balanced, wholesome way.

So the next time you find yourself feeling emotionally overwhelmed, you might want to consider scheduling a massage - or engage with another nurturing practice. 

Your body - and your spirit - will thank you.

For related blogs, click here:

Self-awareness as self-care
Healing powers of self-massage
Nip those winter blues in the bud