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How to spot an energy vampire -

You may not know someone is an energy vampire when you first meet them, but you can tell after a while. Especially if they make you feel overstimulated, stressed, tired, annoyed, or apathetic.

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At the start -

Initially, they may seem extremely friendly, almost overly so. So it can feel natural being their friend. This is a common approach for an energy vampire.

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Common traits -

An energy vampire is someone who repeatedly takes, and lacks insight and awareness of how their ways contribute to interpersonal problems.

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Common signs -

Some common signs of an energy vampire include talking more about themselves than about you or anyone else.

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Common energy-draining personality types -

There’s no single personality that qualifies as an energy vampire. But some common factors include people having developed insecure, avoidant, and anxious attachment styles during childhood. Personality disorders might also be a contributing factor.

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They're often jealous - Pessimism and jealousy are two common traits, which you might not notice when they're being friendly in front of your face.

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They use your good nature against you -

If you offer a listening ear and a kind heart, energy vampires use your good nature against you. Ultimately, this drains you of your vitality.

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They act like a martyr -

Energy vampires place their problems on other people. They take no responsibility for their contributions to their own difficulties.

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They use guilt trips or ultimatums -

Energy vampires often rely on guilt trips to get what they want. And they have no shame in using this against compassionate and caring people.

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They’re codependent -

Codependency in any relationship is designed to elicit a certain reaction from the other individual. It's a vicious cycle that energy vampires rarely recognize they’re in.

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They criticize or bully -

Deep down, energy vampires are often insecure. They may use dehumanizing tactics and criticisms to keep people insecure.

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They always one-up you -

An energy vampire never likes to be outdone, and they won't share the spotlight. This is one of their many narcissistic tendencies.

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They intimidate -

Close to bullying, intimidation is a tool some energy vampires turn to when they need to stir things up. It can also help them boost their egos.

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They diminish your problems and play up their own -

Energy vampires feed off your emotional energy. And if you’re sad or upset, they'll shift the attention to themselves.

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They’re always involved in some kind of drama -

Energy vampires always find themselves in the middle of some drama. And when they've landed on you, they'll throw it on you in hopes you'll absorb and fix it.

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They don’t take accountability -

They never accept culpability in any disagreement or issue. You're often left feeling guilty, and possibly getting the blame.

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In a group setting -

When an energy vampire enters a group dynamic, everyone goes quiet. You may feel like they "kill the vibe," as they diminish and talk over people.

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How to stop someone from draining your energy -

Encountering energy vampires doesn't have to leave you feeling like you need to recharge. Click through for some tips to protect your energy.

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Assertive communication -

Communicate assertively and directly. For example, saying, "Let’s go back to my point about this topic, so it doesn’t get missed," is a respectful way to prevent them from taking over the conversation.

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Asking for space -

If you can't avoid the person, ask for space. Be kind, but also clear about your needs.

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Learning to say "no" -

If you’re a people-pleaser, then it's especially hard to say "no." They may attempt to guilt you, but that can be a good reminder of why you’re saying "no" in the first place.

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Take a deep breath -

If you're feeling stressed, breathing is a wonderful way to center yourself. Just follow the breath and tell yourself that you know what's happening. You'll feel the tension of the energy vampire drift away.

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Set boundaries -

Setting boundaries is another way of protecting yourself. Don't agree to social events, and limit interactions between the two of you.

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Adjust your expectations -

You can’t fix an energy vampire, but you can reshape your expectations about them. This means not offering advice when they vent their problems to you.

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Guard your emotional capacity -

Energy vampires use nonverbal cues to know when they've got someone on the hook. Reserve your energy by offering short, stone-faced responses.

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Don’t give them an inch -

If the energy vampire calls, texts, or even stops by, don’t give them the room. Offer an excuse, and you'll see that they'll turn elsewhere for their emotional needs.

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Use your energy -

Create a buffer zone with your own energy. Even if you can hear the person, visualize a protective white light around you.

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Step back -

Don't be afraid of taking a step back and think about what type of people aggravate you. Sometimes that's the best you can do for your mental well-being.

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Cut them out entirely -

And in most cases, you can cut this person from your life entirely. This might seem dramatic, but at the end of the day you're protecting yourself.

See more: What your aura says about you

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