In our fast-paced culture, many empaths feel stuck in patterns that seem impossible to shift. I know I did.
I was a pre-med student at Brown – ambitious, driven, busy, doing everything “right.”
But my health was unraveling. I was exhausted, anxious, and foggy. Conventional medicine had no answers.
And yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my body was trying to tell me something. Eventually, I found a naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist who helped me see my body not as broken, but as wise.
That experience years ago changed everything for me.
That journey didn’t just rebuild my strength. It redirected my path. It led me to practice Naturopathic Medicine and Chinese Medicine. To energy healing. To two decades of working with people who feel deeply, and often carry more than they realize – emotionally, physically, and energetically.
People like you and me.
I know it’s not easy to navigate this complex world as an empath. But if you know how to manage all the energy that surrounds you daily, you can thrive. I’m living proof.
Through my patients, my students, and my retreat attendees, I see how my story is quite common, especially in our overstimulated, always-on world.
We glorify busy. We’re taught that doing more is better. That “success” equals over-committed, insanely busy, and endless productivity. In our careers and personal life. Tired? Just push harder. Sleep is for the weak. We wear busyness like a badge of honor.
For anyone, those narratives aren’t helpful. For empaths, detrimental.
That culture creates disconnection with ourselves.
You don’t need to do more. You need to feel more like yourself — and that begins by regulating your nervous system.
Here’s what I’ve learned after 20+ years of studying with Qi Gong masters and energy practitioners, cultivating the skills of a high-functioning empath:
I’ve worked with men and women alike who’ve struggled with this, many navigating their challenges silently. We’re often taught to override our emotions. To disconnect. To push through.
Becoming a high-functioning empath is a process, but it’s one I’ve seen transform lives. It might start with this one question:
Whenever you feel overwhelmed or suddenly emotional, take a deep breath and ask yourself:
Notice your body’s reaction.
If you sense the feeling or sensation is linked to a personal experience, it is likely yours to process.
If the sensation feels foreign or comes out of nowhere, it’s likely not yours. Or, as you feel the sensation of some other person consistently popping into your mind, there may be a connection between that symptom and the other person’s energy. Either way, you can gently let it go. I can teach you how. It’s not yours to take on.
This simple habit helps rewire your awareness to stop automatically taking on energy that doesn’t belong to you.
Is it really that simple in today’s complicated world? Yes, I have learned to become continuously aware of what emotions or energy is mine and what is not mine. That simple ask has changed everything.
It’s certainly not a grand gesture. Just the opposite. Getting back to simple works. It works because it returns you to yourself.
It’s not about toughing it out. It’s about aligning with your body’s wisdom so you can show up in the world with clarity, energy, and strength.
The world doesn’t need more burnout. It needs people who are deeply attuned and grounded enough to stay present.
Don’t wait for the world to change and adapt to us.
You can begin now.
One of the most empowering tools I share with patients is Qi Gong, especially the Acupuncture Meridian practices I use daily myself. These gentle, accessible movements are like doing acupuncture on yourself, calming the nervous system, clearing emotional congestion, and grounding your energy.
I’ll be teaching this style of Qi Gong live on Saturday, July 12, 2025, in Nashua, NH, and it’s one of my favorite classes to lead because it reminds us of what’s possible when we return to the body’s wisdom.
If this resonates, I share free tools at www.highfunctioningempath.com.
Dr. Laura Chan is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor (ND) and Acupuncturist (LAc) at the NH Health & Wellness Center. She is passionate about health and wellness and loves helping her patients experience more vitality in their lives. Follow Dr. Chan on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for wellness insights, practical tools, and empowering strategies.
