ENERGY VAMPIRES: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW DO YOU PROTECT YOURSELF?

We may have just survived Halloween, but there are still some vampires around, lurking in the shadows.  Not the blood-sucking, trance-inducing kind, but energetic vampires; the ones who drain us of our life force energy in order to feed their own.   If you know anyone who leaves you dreading being in their presence, they may be an energy vampire.  Or if they leave you feeling exhausted, depressed, angry or defensive, chances are they are draining your energy.
 WHO ARE THEY?
These people can be co-workers, friends, parents, spouses, or even children. Listed below is a basic list of the types of energy vampires you may encounter:

1. Whiner/Victim- This vampire is concerned more with complaining than finding a solution.  Oftentimes they are merely looking for the attention that having a trauma or a drama brings.
2. Passive Aggressive/Criticizer- This vampire attacks (sometimes very subtlely, hence the term “passive”) with put downs, blame, or shame and make you feel like there is something wrong with you.  Very often you may second guess yourself, or you may feel like you are going crazy around these people.
3. Narcissist/Rageaholic- This vampire is someone who always puts themselves first and rarely cares about your needs.  Many times, this person is unpredictable.  One minute everything is fine--until it isn’t—and this sets off a merciless rage, leaving you to feel as though you need to walk on eggshells around this person.

If you aren’t careful, you can become a victim of these emotional vampires and develop unhealthy behaviors as coping mechanisms: overeating, alcohol, drugs, mood swings, and self-isolation to name a few.  That is why it is important to take steps to avoid the antics of these energy drainers.
 
 
 
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
Once you have identified the issue, you can create a plan for how to deal with these Energy Nosferatus:
Set Very Clear Boundaries-

1. If dealing with a whiner/victim type, maybe let them yammer on about their problem for 5 minutes and then say something like, “I’m sorry you are going through this,”  and then let them know you have other things to attend to, and then DO then. 
2. If dealing with a passive aggressive/criticizer or a narcissist/rageaholic type, do not get pulled into arguments with these people.  You already know going into the situation that they will be insulting. Before ever seeing them, try visualizing yourself surrounded by protective white light (or a steel wall, or sing to yourself the Kendrick Lamar classic “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe) and set the intention that they will not affect YOUR precious energy!!

Energy is a very REAL thing.  People can either make you feel great and you want to be around them, or they can make you feel awful, just by being in their presence.  Protecting your energy from emotional vampires is totally within your power.
 If you want to learn more about how energy affects your physical and mental well-being and how to protect yourself further, contact me at 502-321-0557

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