Are you an empath?

Article written by Cathy Spaas for Actors List:

"Did you know that 85% of professional artists are Highly Sensitive People (HSP)?

Cathy Spaas, Spotlight Coach for professional performers, explains the main reason (besides practice) that actors are good at what they do. It's because they have a stronger activated right hemisphere of the brain. Which is why the majority of you might recognize yourselves as empaths.?

Cathy shares more about how this affects performers below:

There's no acting without empathy, and that's how I discovered that so many of us are highly sensitive people. Taking over other people's emotions, creativity, an eye for detail...these are just some benefits of the trait, providing you with a considerable advantage to excel at acting.

However, taking things personally, worrying about other people's opinions, and perfectionism might get the better of you at different times. While working with professional performers for years and specializing in HSP, I noticed that even the most prominent actors struggle with these insecurities, not finding peace of mind.

There is so much pressure being put on you and so many rejections to deal with that even an average brain would work overtime. Your brain most likely isn't average and functions slightly differently if you're an HSP.?

We have a more profound way of processing information.

This means that when others think about a simple task, for example, one part of their brain is activated to complete it. For us, several parts get to work. This is the reason you notice details other people don't, why you can deeply enjoy when nature turns into art (think of a beautiful sunset), and why you connect intensely with emotions (your own and those of others), which is all fabulous when you want to bring your acting to the next level. These talents set you aside from others.

Unfortunately, the deeper processing of information can also create overstimulation, worry, or anxiety to perform. In many cases, this is an underlying reason for substance abuse or other addictions to numb out everything that's coming in.?

The good news is that our brain works like a muscle, and even though it functions differently, it can be trained to work for you instead of against you. For example, on my YouTube show "Spotlight Stress" I spoke with Eric Roberts about creating confidence on stage. Additionally, Kelly Rutherford shares an interesting perspective on going through tough times and how you can shift your energy and emotions when you feel stuck.

Find these episodes via the link in my bio! Enjoy watching!"