Whether you consider yourself to be highly sensitive and highly empathetic, or you just tend to absorb the energy around you from other people, it’s never fun to feel lousy just because the people you’re around are in a negative mood. 

It might seem easier said than done not to let those negative moods bring you down. But, there are ways to fortify yourself without losing your sense of empathy and understanding. 

Let’s take a look at some of those fortification techniques. Using them will allow you to stay positive no matter what kind of energy the people around you are giving off. 

Understand the Feeling

When you tend to be impacted by other people’s moods, it’s important to be able to define what you’re feeling so you can better understand it. 

If someone around you is in a negative mood and you’re starting to feel bad because of it, pause. Take the time to think about what the emotion is and why you might be feeling it. Far too often, people try to “push” their emotions down, rather than acknowledging them. By taking the time to understand what you’re feeling, you’ll also determine whether that feeling really belongs to you or not. 

Be More Mindful

Mindfulness can be a big help when it comes to being less affected by others’ negative moods. It helps to bring you back to the present, rather than allowing your mind to absorb the energy of others. 

If you’re starting to feel like your mood is being impacted by someone else, close your eyes.  Focus on taking a few steady, deep breaths. Focus on the things you hear, the way your body feels, and anything else you’re experiencing. When you hone in on the physical experience of your surroundings, you’re less likely to focus on what you’re feeling. The more present you are at any given moment, the harder it will be for someone’s negative mood to drag you down.

Establish Boundaries

If you’re a highly-sensitive person or an empath, it won’t take long for people to realize it. Unfortunately, some people can take advantage of that. They’ll use you as a sort of “outlet” to unload all of their negative emotions. 

It’s important to understand that you’re no one’s verbal punching bag. You’re not a dumping ground for negativity to make others feel better. While it’s okay for friends and family members to vent to each other, it’s not okay when you’re always on the receiving end of negativity. 

Set boundaries for yourself. You know what you can and cannot handle. It’s essential to avoid certain people or situations that might drag you down. If you find that certain people are constantly draining you or making you feel bad about yourself, spend less time around them. If that’s not possible, ask them to be more respectful of your empathetic nature. 

Learn to Let Go

Ideally, you’ll be able to let go of negative emotions that aren’t your own. This can often be done through visualization techniques. Some people imagine the negative emotion floating down a stream away from themselves. Others view it as a cloud or balloon floating away. Different things work for different people. 

If you’re having a hard time letting negative emotions go when they come from someone else, don’t feel like you need to handle it on your own. 

Talking to a mental health professional can be a great way to learn how to fortify yourself even more. You can become more self-aware, set better boundaries, and learn how to let go of the negative moods impacting your life. 

If you’re tired of letting those moods affect you so much, feel free to contact me to set up an appointment soon for anxiety therapy or depression treatment.