5 Tips On How To Stop Absorbing Other People’s Energy

No matter how you choose to start your day, if you end up surrounding yourself with negative people, you are going notice a shift in your own energy. And if you are a sensitive person like me, this means you could find yourself absorbing other people’s energy while giving up your own positive energy in the process!

I put together this list of 5 tips for how to stop absorbing other people’s energy so that you can learn to safeguard your emotional well-being.

Being a sensitive person, or what some call an empath, can be both a gift and a challenge. On one hand, empaths enjoy stronger and deeper relationships where they understand what people are feeling and going through. But on the other hand, being sensitive to the emotions of others can lead to a difficult time when negative energy is near.

As a life coach, I am excited to share these life strategies to help you protect your own emotional energy! It’s time to start embracing your unique ability as an empathetic person! 

What Does It Mean To Absorb Other People’s Energy?

When you absorb other people’s energy, it means that you pick up on or are influenced by other people’s emotions, moods, mindset, or attitude. Some people are highly empathetic, meaning that they are very sensitive to the emotions of others. For these people, it is easy to take on the feelings and experiences of others, even if it isn’t done intentionally.

New York Times bestselling author and psychologist Dr. Judith Orloff, refers to empaths as “emotional sponges” because they have a tendency to soak up the emotional energies of people nearby.

Absorbing energy can mean taking on both positive and negative experiences. Depending on the scenario, this can leave you feeling energized, exhausted, or even stuck with physical symptoms, such as discomfort in the solar plexus area.

In my case, I am particularly sensitive to specific people and environments that contain a lot of negative energy. When I leave, I feel completely wiped. And since I am always strongly picking up on the feelings of others, I have had to work hard to overcome social anxiety and my own people pleasing tendencies.

When you’re an emotional sponge, you might not even realize that you’re absorbing other people’s emotions. It can feel like a wave of sadness, anxiety, or stress washing over you. You take a deep breath and try to shake it off, but sometimes it lingers, affecting your entire body.

Dr. Orloff, describes this experience as “emotional overload.” This is what happens when you find yourself in a room with someone that is in a bad mood, and suddenly you feel yourself settling into a bad mood too.

Why Do I Absorb Other People’s Energy?

So why do you absorb other people’s energy? Where did this bizarre superpower come from?

Absorbing other people’s energy is not uncommon for sensitive people. People who are highly empathetic have a natural ability to tune into the feelings of those around them. Empathy allows us to connect with others on a deeper level, often feeling what they feel. This sensitivity can result in the feeling of “absorbing” other people’s feelings, emotions, or energy.

One of the reasons why you may find yourself absorbing other people’s energy is that you have less-defined emotional boundaries. This means that you allow yourself the emotional freedom to get closer to others.

Another reason is that certain environments or situations can amplify the feeling of absorbing peoples emotions. Stressful environments cause a heightened awareness of what’s happening around you. Because of this, stressful or emotionally charged environments might make you more susceptible to absorbing others’ energy. 

The important thing to remember is that being an emotional sponge is not a weakness. Your innate sensitivity is a unique personality trait that allows you to connect deeply with others. But it’s also important to understand how to protect your own energy levels and set healthy boundaries, particularly around stressful people. 

5 Tips On How To Stop Absorbing Other People’s Energy

Let’s explore five practical tips to help you learn how to stop absorbing other people’s energy and maintain your own emotional well-being. By using these tips, you can regain control over your own energy and create a protective shield against damaging external emotional influences.

I am hopeful that these tips will help you navigate the world as a sensitive individual so that you can start embracing the beautiful gift of empathy!

#1. Set Energetic Boundaries

Setting energetic boundaries is the first step in protecting yourself as an empath so that you can create a safe space for your own energy. Setting energetic boundaries means managing the emotional and energetic exchanges between yourself and others.

To set boundaries that protect your energy, start by becoming aware of your own energy and emotions. Notice how you feel in different situations and around different people. Recognize when your emotions might be influenced by others.

Before entering a potentially draining situation, declare your intention to maintain your own energy. One of the best ways to do this is by using positive affirmations or repeating personal mantras.

Visualize your energetic boundary as a glass wall that surrounds you and allows only positive energy in. This will help you establish a clear line and a little distance between your energy field and other people’s energies.

It’s important to recognize and stand up for your limits and your personal space. Allow yourself to feel empowered to say no in situations where people are consistently draining your energy. Remember that boundary setting in relationships is important for any healthy relationship.

#2. Practice Grounding Techniques

When you start to feel overwhelmed by the emotions or negative feelings of others, it’s important to ground yourself. Grounding techniques are like your anchor to the earth, helping you stay centered and connected to your own energy.

You can achieve this by spending time in nature or a quiet place, focusing on your breath, and leaning back on your own affirmations. It can be handy to have your own mantras to release negative energy so that you can fall back on a stable foundation.

Regularly practicing grounding exercises can help you maintain your inner balance and reduce the impact of external energies on your well-being.

#3. Awareness and Self-Reflection

One of the challenges that highly sensitive people experience is that it can be difficult to separate their own emotions from the emotions of others. To help with this, awareness and self-reflection are powerful tools for empaths. 

While it can be difficult, pay close attention to your own feelings and emotions, especially when you find yourself absorbing someone else’s energy. Take a moment to ask yourself, “Is this emotion mine, or am I sensing it from someone else?”

One helpful tool for this is using mindfulness affirmations to help you become aware of your emotional state. Using mindfulness questions can help you self-reflect to differentiate between your own feelings and the ones that you’ve picked up from others. 

#4. Cord-Cutting Visualization

One way to visualize the impact people’s energies have on your mental health is by imagining a cord connecting you. These invisible ties can persist long after an interaction has ended, leaving you emotionally drained and full of unwanted energy. One way to break free and let go of stress is by practicing cord-cutting visualization.

Find a quiet space, some alone time, and close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths to center yourself. Visualize the particular person whose energy you want to disconnect from and imagine a pair of golden scissors in your hand. With intention and love, cut through these cords one by one, releasing their hold on you. As each cord is severed, visualize it dissolving into an envelope of white light and returning to the universe. 

While this practice may feel uncomfortable at first, it can be a powerful emotional experience that can empower you to release negative attachments and set you free from the influence of others.

#5. Surround Yourself with Positive Energy

Anytime I think about the impact other people can have on my energy levels I am reminded of one of my favorite inspirational quotes:

“Only surround yourself with people who will lift you higher.”

– Oprah Winfrey

Creating a supportive environment filled with positive energy is a powerful way to shield yourself from absorbing negativity. Spend time with people who radiate positivity, uplift your spirits, and offer encouragement. Aim to limit your interactions with energy vampires who drain the precious positive energy inside you.

You Are Not Alone!

With the constant stream of interactions that make up our lives, it is easy to become overwhelmed. The constant exposure to other people’s moods, feelings, and energies can lead to emotional burnout and a feeling of isolation. This is particularly true if you are a sensitive soul who feels like an emotional sponge. 

But you are not alone! I have worked hard to learn how to stop absorbing other people’s energy, and I am hoping that these 5 tips help you do the same!

If you find yourself using a lot of time battling other people’s negative energy, use this empath’s survival guide to develop a set of tools that you can use to stop absorbing other people’s energy. And check out our collection of positive empath quotes for inspiration!

It’s time to embrace your gift and safeguard your emotional health so that you can enjoy your precious emotional energy!

Don’t forget to share this post with your friends and family on social media! If you know someone who wants to learn how to stop absorbing other people’s energy, this post could be just what they need!

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