It’s creeping up again… that time of year that some people adore and others quietly dread… Christmas!
For many, the festive season is pure magic. But in the past, December was one of my trickiest months.
As a child, and well into my twenties, I was Christmas‑obsessed. I loved every sparkle and song. But as the years rolled on, something shifted. December started to feel heavier, harder to navigate, and strangely draining.
Like clockwork, every year around late November, my mood dipped and my energy plummeted. I’d feel foggy, tense, almost like I was coming down with something. Then, as if by magic, around December 28th… I’d bounce back.
I blamed everything: work stress, too many nights out, winter darkness, lack of exercise, too much sugar, too much wine, you name it, I pinned it on that.
I tried everything to make December easier: changing my diet, cutting out alcohol, exercising more, taking sunshine breaks… but nothing shifted that December slump.
And then it hit me, the problem wasn’t my energy at all.
Apologies for not posting since early May. I’ve been crazy busy will a gazillion different things (still am).
I started this post two months ago, and I’ve only just got around to its completion. And I have to be honest, I have used AI for the edit.
Anyone who blogs will know, it’s not always the article writing that takes the time, it’s the editing. But just so you know, the words are still from me.
So, here we go…
Does people intolerance really exist?
This isn’t about disliking someone because of their attitude or personality. It’s not even necessarily about the other person at all; it’s about how our energy reacts to their energy. And that reaction? Well, it can feel like emotional whiplash.
What Is People Intolerance, Really?
The best way I can describe it is this: it’s a bit like a food intolerance.
Some foods that are healthy on paper—fruits, vegetables, nuts, etc. But for some of us, they just don’t sit right. It’s often the histamines, oxalates, or lectins. Either way, the reaction can range from brain fog and tiredness to irritability or even mild anxiety.
And people can affect us in a similar way.
You spend time with someone: maybe a co-worker, a relative, or even a friend you like, and afterwards, you feel completely wiped out. Not because of anything they said or did, but because of how your system responds to their energy (although sometimes negative talk can have the same impact.)
Common Symptoms of People Intolerance
You might walk away from a conversation or gathering feeling:
Emotionally drained or sluggish
On edge or unusually irritable
Depressed for no reason
Foggy-headed and unable to focus
Like you’re carrying around someone else’s mood
Moody or spaced out
Sound familiar?
It’s not in your head. Us Sensitive people are like emotional sponges. We absorb more than most, and if we’re not careful, that can throw us right off balance.
Why Does It Happen?
In short: stress. Any form of stress. Physical, emotional or energetic can impact us deeply, especially when we’re tuned into the subtle shifts in others.
When we’re around certain people, we may unknowingly take on their emotional energy, even if they don’t seem outwardly stressed. They might be masking anxiety, anger, or sadness, and our sensitive system just picks it all up like a sponge.
Other times, it’s simply a clash of energy. Our system says, “No, not for me,” even if nothing’s wrong on the surface. And like with food, it may have nothing to do with quality, just compatibility.
So, How Do I Deal with People Intolerance?
I’ve learned a few handy tools to help clear out those dense vibes and return to my natural state of peace and balance:
1 Avoid when possible: Let’s be real—sometimes you can’t avoid people completely. But if I notice repeat reactions around certain individuals, I try to create a little distance when I can. Boundaries are magic.
2. Take a shower: There’s something about water that just cleanses energy. A quick shower (especially with sea salt soap or essential oils) works wonders for shaking off lingering emotional gunk.
3. Get grounded: This could be a barefoot walk on the grass, sitting in the garden, or just lying on the floor with my hand on my heart. Grounding helps pull my energy back into me.
5. Reach for your crystals: Black tourmaline, amethyst, or hematite—just having them near or in my pocket brings a sense of calm and protection. They’re like energetic bodyguards.
6. Do yoga: Gentle movement helps move energy through the body. It’s especially good when I feel sluggish or heavy after social time.
7. Deep breathing: Even 3–5 minutes of mindful breathing can reset the nervous system. Inhale peace, exhale people problems.
8. Aromatherapy oils: Lavender, frankincense, chamomile and clary sage are some of my go-tos. A few drops on the wrists or diffused into the room brings an instant energetic shift.
Final Thoughts
So yes, people intolerance is a thing. And while it might sound odd to some, those of us who feel deeply know it’s real. The key is not to judge yourself for it or blame others.
Everyone is vibrating at their own frequency. Sometimes, those frequencies just don’t work well with ours, and that’s okay.
Take care of your energy like you would your health. Tune in, notice how you feel after time with others, and don’t be afraid to honour your needs.
Whether that means taking a step back, grounding yourself, or just breathing through it.
Did you know that irritability is one of the first signs that your nervous system is dysregulated?
Makes sense for those of us who are naturally laid back.
I know I can get irritable if I’ve experienced too much stress or if I’ve picked up too much emotional energy. But I also get ‘the prickly wobbles’ when a certain food does not agree with my body.
The point is, we all need to give our nervous system a break from time to time. Yet with hectic lives, finding time for ourselves can sometimes feel like an impossibility.
So, today I present you with five 5-minute hacks that are aimed at quickly calming your nerves and thus giving the old nervous system a break.
Before I get to that, I should probably give you a brief nervous system overview:
The nervous system plays a crucial role in coordinating and regulating our bodily functions.
It consists of two main parts: the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which encompasses all the nerves outside the CNS.
The nervous system is responsible for functions such as memory, learning, and emotional regulation.
So, yes, pretty important for us Empaths to keep on top of it.
If we don’t work to maintain the health of the nervous system it can impact our overall well-being and quality of life. It can also make Empath life more difficult.
YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM WILL ALWAYS CHOOSE FAMILIAR CHAOS OVER UNFAMILIAR PEACE UNTIL YOU LEARN
TO HEAL DIFFERENTLY.
– MELISSA BLYNN
Taking intentional breaks allows the nervous system to recuperate, reducing stress levels and helping to prevent burnout, which can also help restore balance.
This not only enhances mental clarity but also improves our mood and emotional regulation. (meaning we can better control those pesky emotions).
I must add, before I get to the hacks, that the absolute best way I have found to quickly balance my nervous system is by having a regular short yoga practice that is heavily focused on my breath. Without the breath focus, yoga simply becomes a form of gymnastics.
Not to say there’s anything wrong with gymnastics, but it doesn’t have the same recuperative benefits.
That said, I know not everyone practices yoga, and as time is often short, we still need quick ways to reset.
And that’s what I hope to offer with these quick hacks.
1. Practice Deep Breathing
A really easy one to try is the 4-count breath.
Inhale for 4 seconds, hold the breath for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds, and hold the breath again for 4 seconds. Then repeat for as long as feels good. A few minutes is normally enough.
When you inhale allow your belly to fill up like a balloon. I find this really helps with relaxation.
I also find the breath retention part particularly good for letting go of internal stress and returning calm
2. Take a Power Walk
A short 5-minute brisk walk can do wonders for resetting your nervous system. Round the block or even on the spot.
It is a good idea, with your walk, to try and get yourself a little breathless. It helps shed the stress.
3. Listen to Music
Pop your earphones in and listen to one of your favourite songs. Even better, sing or hum along (I find singing or humming in public places really helps to ‘blast away’ the emotions of others).
Music can release those feel-good hormones that help melt away the stresses of your day. Putting your earphones just makes the experience more immersive.
4. Have a Snack
Ever suffered from being hangry? This is a sign of having low blood sugar and nervous system dysregulation.
By having a snack containing protein and fat (not sugar), it can help stabilise your blood sugar.
Even better if you follow this with a brisk power walk.
5. Hydrate
This may seem like an odd one, but often when we are stressed, we are also dehydrated.
When the internal workings of our body are doing more than usual, by being stressed, it can lead to dehydration.
By glugging down plenty of clean mineralized water, it can really have an uplifting cleansing effect. Adding in a slice of lemon also helps, because stress depletes vitamin C.
So, there you go, 5 quick ways to give your nervous system a well-deserved break.
Have you tried any of the above? Did you find them helpful?
Ok, that’s it for today.
I hope everything is keeping fabulous in your world.
Empaths Empowered 