How To Stop Absorbing Other People’s Negative Energy

Have you ever felt utterly drained after spending time with someone? Since childhood, I've been sensitive to others' emotions, a trait now identified as "empathy."

This phenomenon is challenging to articulate, and as I matured, I realized it wasn't unique to me.

While sympathetic individuals feel compassion, empaths might shoulder others' burdens as their own.

High empathy can make one susceptible to both the negative and positive energies of others.

Absorbing others' emotions and energies can impact one's mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.

Consider feeling depleted after an argument; now, picture that exhaustion without any dispute, merely from sharing space with someone.

Supporting loved ones emotionally is vital, yet we must also shield ourselves from those who exploit our generosity or from the draining energy of others, intentional or not.

Absorbing Other People’s Emotions

Absorbing the emotions of others can blur the lines between their feelings and our own, sometimes to the point where we feel overwhelmed by this trait. It can dictate the environments we frequent, the company we keep, and the careers we pursue.

If someone consistently exudes negativity, we tend to distance ourselves as much as possible to avoid being dragged down by their mood.

Similarly, if a place gives off unsettling vibes, we're inclined to steer clear of it.

While this heightened sensitivity brings many advantages, it also comes with significant drawbacks. However, there is a way to flourish with these innate abilities; we just need the proper tools.

I often ponder how, in ancient times when living in sync with nature, people, and animals was the norm, those with heightened sensitivities—empaths—served as healers, benefiting their communities by engaging with subtle energy fields unnoticed by most.

Though it might sound like a stretch, I reflect on the actions of my ancestors. Despite the near obliteration of the practices of Wise Women, Animists, and Spirit-Workers during the witch hunts, I believe these individuals were also empaths, attuned to the energies of all living beings they met.

These reflections are part of a journey to reconnect with my ancestry and delve into the history of the remarkable women who came before me, who were unjustly persecuted for their harmonious existence with nature.

How Do You Know If You’re An Empath?

An empath is someone who resonates with others' emotions. Their sensitivity level often allows them to experience a broad spectrum of emotions and energies.

- Do you resonate with what others feel?

- Are you attuned to the emotional states of others?

- Do large crowds cause you emotional overwhelm?

- Do you find yourself confiding in people readily, even strangers?

- Are you experiencing frequent, unexplained mood swings?

- When watching TV or online content, do you empathize deeply with the characters?

- Are you naturally attracted to water?

- Can you instinctively tell when someone is not being truthful?

If you've answered yes to most of these questions, then you are likely an empath. Welcome to the club!

How To Stop Absorbing Other People’s Negative Energy

There are numerous strategies to prevent the absorption of others' negative energy.

The initial step is to recognize your empathic nature and see it as a gift. Sensing the energy around you isn't negative; you simply need the right tools to manage it.

Here are seven methods to help you avoid taking on other people's energy:

1. Visualization and Clearing

Visualization is an effective method for maintaining a separation between our own energy and that of others. Envisioning oneself encased in a vast rainbow bubble can offer protection when interacting with those who drain energy, or one might imagine being inside a box.

This box permits the entry of positive energy while deflecting any unwanted energy. We remain aware of others' emotions and thoughts, but once their energy is acknowledged, it remains with them, preventing us from becoming entwined with it after a conversation.

Clearing is another useful technique for eliminating absorbed negative energy, commonly utilized in Reiki energy healing practices.

Place your hands over your body, starting above your head. With swift, sweeping motions, use both hands to slice through the energy, expelling it from your aura. Continue this action down to your feet. After completing this, envision yourself surrounded by a white bubble.

This practice can be performed at the end of the day within the sanctuary of your home.

2. Get Grounded

Engaging in grounding exercises first thing in the morning can be an excellent way to start the day. Empaths and highly sensitive individuals often struggle with grounding due to the intensity of their feelings and a tendency to be preoccupied with thoughts. Grounding serves as a vital initial step to ensure we do not absorb and carry the emotions and energy of others as if they were our own. The following methods can be employed:

Taking a morning shower and visualizing the water cleansing away all negative energy, allowing it to flow down the drain, while simultaneously filling you with white light and love can be very grounding. Additionally, drinking at least 1 liter of water upon waking can greatly assist, as water has natural grounding properties.

Visualize roots growing out of the bottom of your feet. The roots reach deep into the ground. Picture this until your feet feel weighted down.

Spend five minutes each morning meditating, and focusing on your breath. Breathe in for 7 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, then exhale for 7 seconds, and hold for another 4 seconds before repeating. This is a great way to get in touch with your breath and inner self.

Sit on or touch the earth/ground. Walk on the ground in bare feet, and yes, hug a tree. Going into nature is one of the most grounding experiences a person can have. It is powerfully cleansing and helps us focus on a world outside of ourselves.

3. Learn to Say No

Understand your limits and assert them when they are infringed upon. You wouldn't allow someone to wreck your home, so don't permit them to undermine your self-worth or your life as a whole.

Saying no is not impolite, and you don't have to explain your reasons. If you feel undervalued, communicate that. Defend yourself with pride and self-love. Self-respect begets respect from others.

If you often decline requests from someone, consider why and whether they contribute to your growth or impede it.

4. Maintain Distance from Energy Drainers

Ever felt depleted after being with someone? The kind of person who requires your energy to socialize and leaves you drained both emotionally and physically.

Such individuals are only available when they need you, not when you need them.

Remember, you're not obligated to solve others' issues. While empaths naturally want to heal everyone, you shouldn't bear their load if they won't help themselves.

5. Cease Pleasing Others

I have a hard time taking things personally when getting in heated discussions that don’t even involve me as a person.

One lesson I’ve learned is that when people complain about you or try to bring you down, don’t take it personally.

Just remember that when someone is trying to bring you down, it’s more a reflection of them as a person, and their relationship with themselves, than of your worth.

The more you let yourself be influenced by gossip, the more you’ll start to depend on the praise of others (which isn’t what we want).

You also can’t make everyone like you, but remember that your worth doesn’t come from the approval or opinion of others.

Love yourself first and foremost, and let go of those who bring you down.

6. Take Care of Yourself

Emphasizing self-care is crucial.

Taking time for yourself allows you to engage with your own thoughts and feelings, helping you determine if negative emotions are self-generated or influenced by others.

Consider an Epsom salt bath or a leisurely morning to relax.

Meditate and allocate time for self-reflection to discover your inner voice. For me, reconnecting with nature is a powerful way to return to my true self.

You can also practice intentional breathwork, focusing on deep abdominal breathing rather than shallow chest breaths.

To relax into deep breathing, follow these steps:

Lie on the floor with your legs resting on the edge of a bed or couch, allowing them to fall open naturally and comfortably.

Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly.

Inhale deeply, noticing the hand on your chest rise. Then exhale.

For the next breath, concentrate on inflating the belly, keeping the chest still, and allowing the belly and diaphragm to expand fully. Exhale.

Repeat this for 6-7 deep breaths.

Initially, you may feel unsteady as many people have underused diaphragms, but with practice, your breathing and resilience will improve.

7. Do The Work

Ultimately, it is you who determines how you feel. While it's easy to adopt the thoughts and emotions of others, it's worth questioning why we allow this to occur. Perhaps there's an unconscious draw to assist and heal others.

Regardless of the environment, the choice to remain resilient or to let others influence you lies with you. Absorbing the energy of a negative individual might leave them feeling relieved, but you burdened.

Feeling self-confident and self-love actually builds emotional resilience and stamina. This strength enables you to break free from the detrimental cycle of energy depletion.

By refusing to take on unnecessary emotions, you conserve energy to achieve your own dreams and goals. Harnessing this unique ability can then be used to benefit the world at large.