Break free from energy vampires

You deserve to be surrounded by those who champion and cherish you. Experts share easy ways to fence yourself off from toxic people

Exhausted. Hurt. Disappointed. Frustrated. Not how you’d hope to feel after interacting with someone in your life, but certain people always leave you depleted and dreading the next late-night phone call, tense meeting or drama-filled outing.

“These are ‘energy vampires,’ or people who rely on your empathetic nature to get the attention that they thrive on,” explains Christiane Northrup, M.D., author of Dodging Energy Vampires. She quickly adds that if you’re worried that you’re an energy vampire, it means you’re definitely not—a true person of this type wouldn’t care. “Energy vampires target empaths because they carry a lot of light from traits like compassion, loyalty and a desire to be of service and make the world a better place.” And because you care so much about everyone around you, it’s tough to walk away—even from those who repeatedly cause you pain.

In fact, if an energy vampire is in your orbit, you’ve likely given them the benefit of the doubt or tried to understand where they’re coming from, but these efforts are only hurting you more, warns Dr. Northrup: “Think of your body as a battery with a powerful electrical signal coming from your big, compassionate heart,” she says. “Your battery is literally being drained over and over because these people do not change.”

The good news? Experts say it’s possible to be authentic to your kind nature and protect yourself from unnecessary drama. To start prioritizing your wellbeing, read on for easy ways to resist four common types of energy vampires.