By Sandra Domingos
Is your energy constantly being drained by emotional vampires? The people around us affect how we feel and view the world. There are plenty of reasons why some people may drain your energy more than others. You could be dealing with a narcissist, or a drama queen or someone who complains most of the time.
If you have an emotional vampire draining you dry, it’s time to start protecting your energy. Below, you’ll discover how to recognize the signs of an emotional vampire, and the best ways to protect your energy.
Understanding the Different Types of Emotional Vampires
Emotional vampires come in a variety of forms. They include:
- Victims
- Narcissists
- Constant talkers
- Controllers
- Drama queens
Each type of emotional vampire will leave you feeling tired and deflated after being in their company. Victim emotional vampires are the people who always play the victim, even when they are the perpetrator. Narcissists are only interested in their own thoughts and feelings, while constant talkers drain your mental energy.
Most of us know at least one type of emotional vampire in our lives. Not sure how to identify them? There are a few signs to watch out for.
Tell-Tale Signs you are Dealing with an Emotional Vampire
There are several tell-tale signs that can help you decide if you’re dealing with an emotional vampire. The main signs to watch out for include:
- You feel mentally exhausted after spending time with them.
- You feel depressed or anxious around them.
- You feel like they are putting you down.
- You turn to comfort eating or drinking alcohol after being around them.
Everyone who encounters an emotional vampire will feel at least one of the things above. You basically don’t feel great when you spend time with them.
Protecting Your Energy
If you are dealing with an emotional vampire, the good news is that there are strategies you can use to deal with them. First, if you can, you should distance yourself from the person. Avoiding being around an emotional vampire is the best way to stop them negatively impacting you! However, this isn’t always possible.
If you can’t distance yourself, make sure you are practicing self-care. Taking care of yourself will allow you to feel more confident to set healthy boundaries. You will naturally be more assertive and protective over your time. So, if you don’t already, set aside time every day to focus on you! Pamper yourself, take care of your own needs first, and watch how your energy and tolerance changes for negative people.
If you are really struggling to handle an emotional vampire in your life, you can also turn to therapy. Seeking help from a professional will enable you to understand why you can’t deal with the problem, as well as provide solutions that can help. Emotional vampires are everywhere today. It isn’t always possible to get away from them immediately, but there are things you can do in the meantime to protect yourself and your energy!
*Sandra Domingos is a certified yoga teacher and life coach. She lives between Itararé, Bahia (Brazil) and Los Angeles, California, and when she is not in one of these two cities is because she is traveling around the world. Sandra has been to 4 continents and visited more than 50 countries.
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