Our emotional health plays a large part in living a healthy life. Some would argue that it influences our health more than food. I think that in order to live in vibrant health, one must get rid of toxins and toxic energy.
Instead of answering a reader’s question this week, I’ve decided to address the one question that I hear time and time again from YPs.
How do I deal with negative people without feeling negative myself?
A negative person can suck your energy from their mere presence. They criticize know matter what you say or do. You may try extra hard to impress, but they will always find a reason why it’s wrong. You may try hard to remain positive and strong, but their negativity and toxic approach leaves you feeling drained, anxious and depressed.
These people are called Energy Vampires and they bring toxic energy that can have a negative impact on your health. Conventional research has shown the connection between negativity and cellular changes. Our cells go into stress mode when we are in a negative situation. Our body sends off biochemical signals to either fight or flight. Repeated pressure on the body to deal with this kind of stress can cause adrenal fatigue, a suppressed immune system and toxicity to brain cells.
So how do you deal with these energy suckers? Unfortunately, garlic doesn’t work here.
Here are my 5 tips:
Poor Baby: Imagine the person as a small child, who may have been treated poorly by a parent or caregiver. Possibly, neglected emotionally and not given the care and support in the formative years that is crucial for good energy to flow. Often, a negative person is negative because it’s a coping mechanism to avoid getting hurt again.
Rise Above: Many negative people have deep-seated fears, insecurities and sadness that they cannot come to grips with. It feels better to make someone else feel bad then deal with his or her own pain. Try to smile through the energy sucking and not allow their words or choices to enter into your heart. When you rise above, a negative person will not get the same satisfaction out of the experience and will often move on.
Look in the Mirror: Often, I have found that people come into our life to teach us a lesson. Maybe this negative person can teach you something valuable about yourself. Write down how the person makes you feel: does it trigger any past memories? How would you like to be able to deal with conflict? Journaling can be helpful during this process.
Bubble Boy: Is not just a Seinfeld character, but something you can imagine to protect yourself from an energy vampire. Some find it valuable to visualize a protective bubble or white light surrounding you. You can even imagine mirrors that reflect back to the person the negative energy they are sending out with hopes that they will realize what their bad vibes are doing.
Lover not a Hater: Remind yourself that everyone needs love to grow. The very thing you would like to see in the negative person is the only thing you can give out. By sending the person loving thoughts rather then hurtful ones it supports your health, but may also ignite a change in the person.