Protect your peace: The importance of surrounding yourself with positive energy
By: Marissa Pollet
While many of us have prioritized the importance of mental health and focus on practices like mindfulness, therapy, and self-care routines, one often-overlooked element is who we surround ourselves with. The people in our lives, their energy, attitudes, and behaviors can deeply influence our emotional well-being and either greatly improve it or bring us down. Given the impact people can have on our lives, it’s important to limit exposure to those who are draining and focus on those who are uplifting.
The Power of People
Human beings are deeply social creatures by nature. We absorb energy from others, whether we realize it or not and these emotions can be highly contagious. Think about a time you were around a friend or loved one and their bad mood immediately altered your energy. Without much thought your emotions went from even keeled to agitated. Just as you might catch a cold from someone sneezing nearby, you can also absorb anxiety, pessimism, or negativity from the people in your circle.
On the flip side to this spectrum, being around uplifting, compassionate individuals can have a profound positive impact on your mindset and stress levels. It’s about knowing your circle and filling it with the people that serve to help make you the best version of yourself.
Signs Someone May Be Draining Your Energy
Not everyone who makes you feel “off” is toxic and needs to be removed from your life, but it’s important to tune into your body and emotions when interacting with others and evaluate accordingly. Here are a few signs that someone might be affecting your mental well-being negatively:
• You feel emotionally exhausted after spending time with them
• They constantly complain, gossip, or focus on the negative
• Your boundaries are ignored or disrespected
• You feel small, anxious, or unseen in their presence
• They rarely celebrate your successes or support your growthPaying attention to these red flags can help you assess where to invest your time and energy and how you want to proceed moving forward.
The Benefits of Positive Social Energy
Just as negative can deplete you, the right people can energize, support, and inspire you. Relationships built on mutual respect and positive reinforcement can help provide many beautiful aspects to your life:
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Boost self-esteem and confidence
• Provide emotional safety and belonging
• Encourage personal growth and resilience
• Help reinforce healthy habits and thinking patterns
The people who lift you up aren’t necessarily the loudest or the most outgoing, they’re the ones who listen, validate, and genuinely care. The select people who will be by your side without hesitation or judgement. When you close your eyes and think about these qualities who comes to mind and fulfills you emotionally?
How to Set Boundaries and Choose Better Company
You don’t need to make dramatic exits or cut people off overnight. Instead, consider gentle but firm steps to protect your peace:
• Limit exposure to people who consistently bring you down. Be selective about social gatherings especially more intimate settings versus large group functions.
• Practice assertive communication to express your needs. Practice voicing your feelings to protect your mental health.
• Surround yourself intentionally with those who align with your values and energy and make you feel calm and safe.
• Take inventory regularly of how you feel after social interactions and your mental well-being.
• Don’t ignore your gut—if someone leaves you drained more than fulfilled, take that seriously and evaluate the role you would like them to have in your life.
Setting boundaries isn’t selfish, it’s an act of self-care.
You Deserve Supportive Connections
Choosing who gets access to your energy is a form of emotional protection. While you can’t control how others behave, you can control how much space you allow them to occupy in your life. Seek out people who see the light in you, the ones who truly lift you up and support you without hesitation. You may have a few of these people in your life, so cherish them deeply and be the same source of energy for them in return.
At the end of the day, strive to protect your peace and put your needs to be surrounded by positive energy at the forefront of your life.
Our team of caring professionals at Inspired Wellness are here to provide support and guidance towards your path of mental wellness. We believe that every individual has the ability to be the best version of themselves and our goal is to set you up with the tools to maintain a well- balanced life that will place you on the path towards lifelong change. We strive to create a non-judgmental environment coupled with therapeutic practices that are tailored towards each individual. At Inspired Wellness our team aims to do exactly as our name says, inspire you towards a beautiful life of strength and wellness!