People who are highly sensitive are often targeted by energy vampires. Sensitive individuals offer a listening ear, a compassionate heart, and endless energy.
The problem is that these people are often manipulative and take advantage of your good intentions. Luckily, there are several ways to stop psychic vampires from stealing your time and energy.
1. Set Boundaries
If you’ve ever met someone who always leaves you feeling drained and exhausted after spending time with them, chances are that you’re dealing with an energy vampire. They can be strangers, family members, friends or coworkers, and they’re capable of draining your energy whether intentionally or not.
There are several different types of psychic vampires, based on their behaviors and how they affect us, but each can be challenging to avoid. Some are highly manipulative and can take advantage of you when they see a chance to do so.
The Dependent Vampire: This type of psychic vampire is prone to people-pleasing, overly accommodating, and needs constant reassurance that everything is okay. This can lead to a sense of helplessness that drains your productivity and leaves you feeling exhausted.
They may also ask you for details on a project or question your decision-making, which can drain your energy.
If you find yourself constantly being the go-to person for these types of energy vampires, it’s important to learn how to set healthy boundaries and get comfortable with saying no.
For example, if they’re always calling you in the mornings to talk about their dramas, then set a boundary around when and how often they can call.
You can do this by being clear about what you’re willing to do and what you’re not, suggests Van Cort. She recommends making a list of all the things you’ll and won’t tolerate from this person, and then planning a response to each one.
Setting boundaries can be difficult, but it’s essential if you want to keep your emotional health intact and feel like you have control over the amount of energy that is being drained by psychic vampires in your life. It’s a practice that will ultimately make you stronger and healthier, but it’s important to be prepared to put in the work to develop this skill.
2. Clean Your Space
Psychic vampires are not always easy to spot, but you can start noticing their warning signs and take action to protect yourself. Whether you are dealing with a coworker, family member or friend, there are some basic things you can do to stop psychic vampires in your life.
The first step in recognizing and avoiding energy vampires is to set some boundaries. This will help you keep your personal and professional space free from their toxic influence. You can do this by refusing to agree to social events where they may be present or setting up limits with them at work, Albers says.
It also helps to set a time limit for their presence in your space, so you can give yourself some breathing room and recharge. This will help you feel a little less stressed and overwhelmed by their behavior, according to Vermani.
These behaviors can come in all forms, including self-deprecating, drama-prone, and narcissistic behavior. Regardless of the specifics, these people are constantly draining your emotional energy.
They want to be the center of attention and will do anything to get it, whether it involves taking sides in a dispute or trying to one-up you in a conversation.
The problem with this approach is that it takes away your ability to defend yourself, which is why energy vampires tend to target those who are easy to manipulate. They also go after those who lack a strong sense of self-esteem, Economy said.
You can also try to practice self-care, such as deep breathing, exercising, and eating healthy foods. These are all important habits for your mental and physical health that will help you stay on top of your energy levels, he added.
3. Keep a Gut Instincts Journal
Keeping a gut instincts journal is a great way to learn how your intuition works and see what it has to say about you. This can help you decide when it’s time to trust your gut and when to use your logical brain.
First, the most obvious thing to do is to make sure you’re not ignoring your gut’s signals. This may mean making a few minor adjustments to your daily routine, such as avoiding alcohol or caffeine after a certain time, or eating well before going to bed at night.
The second most important thing to do is to keep track of your gut’s inclinations by documenting them in a journal. This helps you understand your innate reactions and hone them over time.
A journal also allows you to see which decisions are the best ones for you. This can be especially helpful if you’re feeling particularly apprehensive about a new relationship or job.
Finally, it’s a good idea to find a quiet place to think about these things. This will ensure that your mind is clear enough to take in all of your gut’s whiz-bangs.
The best part about this process is that it can be done proactively and on a regular basis, even if you don’t feel in the mood for it right now. The most important thing is to be patient and listen to your gut.
4. Stay Away from Them
Psychic vampires drain your energy, leaving you feeling emotionally and physically depleted. This can lead to poor productivity, a sluggish mindset and a loss of motivation.
Whether they're your boss, a coworker or a family member, these toxic people can negatively impact your life. But there are ways to stop them.
First, set firm boundaries and avoid spending time with them. This may be difficult to do, especially if you have to work with this person frequently, but it's important.
If you do have to spend time with them, try not to let them control your thoughts or emotions. Instead, focus on your work. And when you feel drained, tell them you're taking some time away to recharge.
Then, set a time to meet again and talk about the situation. When it's time, walk away and go to the bathroom or get out of the room, West says.
This will help you to refocus on your own feelings and needs. It will also show the psychic vampire that you have limits, and they'll likely back off if they know you have them.
You may not be able to avoid them entirely, but if you find yourself drained from interactions with them, it's a good idea to cut them out of your life. This can be a challenge, but it's essential for your mental health and well-being.
Emotional vampires are often characterized by excessive neediness and an anti-social behavior. Their need for affirmation and validation leads them to act out in unhealthy ways that often drive others away from them.
These types of behaviors can be insidious, and they're often rooted in a victim mentality. As a result, these people tend to blame others for their negative reactions and never take responsibility for their own actions. If you feel a psychic vampire is affecting your well-being, it's a good idea to seek professional help.
5. Practice Self-Care
We all have people in our lives who drain our energy. Whether they're a little overly dramatic, negative, or complain a lot, they can leave us feeling drained.
These can be family members, coworkers, or people we know from our social circles. The good news is that there are ways to stop psychic vampires from sapping your vitality.
Self-care is the best way to protect yourself from energy drainers. This includes eating a healthy, balanced diet, exercising, and taking time for yourself to do things you enjoy.
The key to self-care is to make it a habit. This is a great way to stay on top of your health and wellbeing, and it can also help you avoid emotional vampires.
To stop energy vampires, Albers says it's important to practice mindfulness, which is the ability to focus on the present moment and become aware of how you feel in different situations. This can help you understand which emotional strings the vampire is pulling to manipulate you and why they do so.
She also recommends that you take a closer look at the person's underlying mental health issues, which may play a role in their behavior. This could include depression, anxiety, or mental health disorders like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
If you're able to see what their personality disorder is and understand why they behave the way they do, this will make it easier to cut them out of your life completely. This will allow you to move forward in a healthier, more balanced manner.
Finally, if your relationship with an energy vampire has been detrimental to your mental health, consider talking to a therapist. Many therapists specialize in dealing with relationships with people who are draining your energy. A good therapist can help you learn how to cope with your emotions and deal with your feelings in a healthy, productive manner.
