As an empath, I am very sensitive to the energetic frequencies of those around me. I've struggled with finding balance between wanting to help others process negative feelings and having space to process my own.
It can be completely draining to constantly take on what others are feeling, or to constantly try to deflect it. Over the years, I've learned a few tricks that help me tremendously.
- Be sure to take time for yourself. Mediate, take an Epsom salt bath with your favorite calming oils to cleanse off toxic energy, or get up early and spend some time in the quiet before the rest of the house gets up. Whatever works for you.
- When you take on the baggage of others, they tend to start handing it to you regularly. Set clear boundaries and don't be afraid to take a step away from people/things that aren't good for your wellbeing.
- Essential oils are vibrational tools. They are nature’s living energy and have the ability to help us restore our energy system. White Angelica is one of my favorite oil blends for calming nerves and providing a sense of protection against negative energies. I apply a few drops topically on my shoulders, then over my energy field.
- Another favorite essential oil for warding off negative energies is Palo Santo. Palo Santo helps to raise your vibrational frequency, clears negative energy, and detoxifies/purifies. It's one of my favorite aromas.
- Spending time in nature is a great way to recharge and cleanse your energy. Go forest bathing, do some gardening, or just get your bare feet in some green grass. Whatever you choose to do, get yourself outdoors and connect with nature.
- For those really intense emotions, the Feelings Kit is my go-to for processing and healing. It includes six essential oil blends formulated to promote emotional clearance and self renewal (Forgiveness, Valor, Harmony, Present Time, Release, and Inner Child), and I use a specific protocol for applying & using each of them. This kit is also especially helpful for anyone who works in a profession that requires heightened awareness (first responders, healthcare, military, etc.)
What methods do you use for healthy clearing of negative energies and emotions?
Have you ever had one of those days when you just felt emotionally "off"? Like you're just in a bad mood and don't even want to be around yourself? Those are the days I wish I could just put myself in timeout and not come out until I feel better!
If you can relate to this, read on. I've got a little secret weapon for you.
But first, let's talk about our sense of smell. Did you know it's connected to emotions?
Think about how certain smells make you feel. Maybe smelling apple pie makes you think of your grandmother who always had one in the oven. New babies and new puppies have certain smells that often bring feelings of joy. On the contrary, unpleasant smells might cause you discomfort.
The sense of smell develops in the womb and is tied directly to the limbic system (the emotional brain) through the olfactory nerve. The limbic system is responsible for processing emotions, "fight of flight" and forming bonds with others.
Our reactions and emotions toward situations we encounter throughout our lives are stored so the brain knows how to react should a similar situation happen again. This causes us to get "stuck", repeating the same situations and emotions over and over again, even when they're negative.
Our reactions and emotions toward situations we encounter throughout our lives are stored so the brain knows how to react should a similar situation happen again. This causes us to get "stuck", repeating the same situations and emotions over and over again, even when they're negative.
The good news is, we can break the chains that tie those experiences and negative emotions together by using the power of scent! One of my favorite methods is the Aroma Reset method designed by Dr. Benjamin Perkus.
Before I go further, I want to stress how critical it is that you only use the highest quality essential oils for this method. Using anything less will introduce synthetic fragrance that will have the opposite effect on the brain than what you're trying to accomplish. The Aroma Reset method was designed exclusively with Young Living oils and those are the only oils I will recommend for this method. To learn more about why these oils are superior, visit www.SeedtoSeal.com.
Now, let's get to the good part! When you're ready to try this method, get yourself into a quiet space, free of interruptions and distractions.
Step 1: Identify a negative experience. This may be difficult to do, but it's important to identify an experience that causes you negative emotions so you can process those emotions and heal. Picture it in your mind and allow yourself to feel it. It may be something that happened today or something that happened many years ago. If you picture multiple scenarios, pick the one that stands out most and start there.
Step 2: Give it a name. With one word, describe how you feel when you're picturing that experience. Are you angry? Sad? Do you feel hopeless? Afraid?
Step 3: Locate the feeling in your body. Do you clench your jaw or feel tension in your neck or shoulders? Do you feel a pit in your stomach or tightness in your chest?
Step 4: Identify the negative thought connected to that feeling. This will probably start with "I can't", "I don't", or "I'm not". For example, "I'm not good enough to...", or "I don't have enough..."
Step 5: Smell Essential Oils. Place one drop of a calming oil, such as lavender or frankincense, into your palms. Breathe deeply, focusing on the experience, the feeling, your body, and the emotions. Breathe the scent into the negativity, allowing it to break up the negative pictures in your mind. Keep breathing it in until you feel the negativity dissipating.
Step 6: Repeat as needed. Negative emotions are like onions...they tend to be layered from years of our brains repeating the same reactions to certain situations over and over again. When we clear one negative emotion, we sometimes reveal another layer beneath it. To get to the deeper roots of your emotions and truly find healing, you may find that you need to repeat the process as you peel away the layers. Remain open to letting go of the thoughts and emotions that do not serve you, and commit to practicing these steps daily.
