If you feel drained and emotionally faded after interacting with someone, you may be dealing with an energy vampire. Understanding the dynamics of these individuals helps you find healthy boundaries that protect your emotional and physical well-being.
Unplug appliances, electronics and devices that aren’t in use. Also consider investing in smart power strips that automatically cut off the power to idle devices.
Appliances
Whether it’s a sudden spike in your electricity bill or just one that seems higher than usual, you may be wasting energy with the electrical energy consumed by your household. You’re probably not even aware that something is siphoning away your hard-earned money. The culprit is vampire appliances—or phantom power—which draw electricity even when they’re turned off.
Vampire devices consume energy, sometimes as much as 20% of your home’s total electricity usage. This is a major problem, since it leads to higher utility bills and contributes to climate change. But luckily, it’s not impossible to combat this energy-draining phenomenon. You just need to know which appliances are the most likely offenders and what simple steps you can take to minimize their effect on your energy consumption.
The easiest way to reduce vampire energy is by simply unplugging devices that aren’t being used. That includes devices like a night light, microwaves with digital clocks and coffee makers that don’t need to be on all day. You can also try using appliances with a lower wattage rating, like ENERGY STAR certified models. These appliances will use less energy and emit fewer carbon emissions.
Another simple trick is to invest in a smart power strip. These strips can help you manage your electricity consumption by automatically turning off devices when they aren’t in use. This can save you a lot of money in the long run and it’s especially helpful when it comes to electronics, which tend to draw a lot of phantom energy.
If you’re looking for more comprehensive ways to manage your home energy consumption, we recommend investing in an energy audit. This will give you a clear understanding of how your home is performing and allow you to identify specific areas for improvement. You can also consider installing solar panels, which will help you eliminate your dependence on fossil fuels, reduce your electricity bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With Halloween right around the corner, now is a great time to start making these types of changes.
Electronics
Similar to the mythical vampires of folklore that feed on blood, energy vampires are people in your personal or professional life who drain your energy, leaving you feeling drained and uneasy. They often rely on manipulation tactics to get what they want, including guilt trips and emotional blackmail. If left unchecked, their toxic behavior can cost you time, money, good friends and potentially even your health.
If someone is constantly criticizing you, it’s likely because they feel insecure themselves and are looking to “feed” off of your energy. Their criticism may be subtle or obvious, but both ways are effective because it makes you question your own sanity and grip on reality. If they’re able to keep you confused, they can harvest your energy all the more. Look for them to avoid direct eye contact, act stone-faced, and only answer their questions with short answers to help you stay clear of their energy vortex.
Self-Centeredness: This is a common trait of energy vampires, who are always talking about themselves and only ever seem interested in getting their way. They’ll dominate conversations and never let the conversation turn to something else, often blaming others for their misfortunes or refusing to take responsibility for their actions.
Vampires can also be very dramatic, creating drama to elicit an emotional response from you. This can be as small as pointing out an inconsistency or as large as causing an argument. Their goal is to gain your attention and then use the drama as a way to harvest your energy, which can leave you exhausted, anxious or depressed.
The good news is, you can learn to identify and slay the energy vampires lurking in your life so that they’re no longer consuming your energy or draining your wallet. Keeping your energy levels high by prioritizing self-care, building a supportive network and setting healthy boundaries is an excellent start. You can also make a difference with your energy consumption and bill by tracking dormant appliances with smart home monitoring systems and investing in Energy Star-certified electronics, which consume less power in standby mode than other devices.
Lighting
If you have ever opened your energy bill and felt like you got punched in the gut, there is a good chance that invisible energy vampires are sucking up your hard-earned money. Fortunately, you can take action to protect yourself and your wallet from these energy-sucking vampires by learning to recognize their toxic behaviors, so you can ward them off and avoid them.
Vampires seek those who are in higher vibrations of truth and integrity to recharge their energy level. They tend to be extremely good at twisting your mind and emotions with their mastery of the sinister technique called gaslighting. This manipulation tactic leaves you second-guessing your own sanity and reality, leaving you at the edge of your emotional cliff.
Another way they drain your energy is by making you feel bad about yourself with their nay-saying and back stabbing tactics. They will also try to make you feel guilty about your successes and accomplishments. This type of behavior is a sure sign that you are in the presence of an energy vampire.
You can also spot an energy vampire by their lack of empathy for others, and their inability to see things from other points of view. They will never admit their wrongdoings and always blame someone else for their mistakes. They will also try to turn you against other people by gossiping about them behind their back.
This energy vampire loves drama and is known for playing the victim role in every communication. Complaints and criticism are their love language, and they use them to overshadow happiness and amplify everything around them.
If you are in the midst of an energy vampire, your best bet is to stay neutral and focus on facts instead of feelings. This will help you to keep your cool and keep them at bay while enforcing set boundaries.
You can also strengthen your ability to detect energy vampires by developing emotional resilience through positive self-talk and mindfulness practices. It is important to remember that the negativity a vampire emits is not a reflection of your worth or capabilities.
Heating & Cooling
When you open your energy bill and feel like you just got punched in the gut, a good look at your utility costs might help you spot the culprit. Gaps in your attic, fireplace, ductwork, and windows let your pricey climate-controlled air seep out while exterior air sneaks in, driving up your heating and cooling bills. Even a measly 1/8-inch gap around your window frame can lead to a 10% spike in your heating costs.
Gaslighting
Known for leaving you second-guessing your sanity, reality, and intuition, gaslighting is one of the most sinister tactics used by energy vampires. This manipulative tactic involves denying, belittling, and questioning your self-worth in an attempt to control you.
Gossiping
An effective tool for spreading their negative energy, gossiping is a key behavior to look out for when identifying energy vampires. Often, they’ll be quick to point out your faults and tell you that you can never do anything right. Back stabbing is another way they’ll use to turn their codependent bond with you against you.
Neediness
A common sign of an energy vampire, these toxic individuals are constantly seeking compliments, reassurance, and validation from others. When they do not get what they want, they tend to become angry and criticize you for your lack of generosity.
As you can see, identifying energy vampires and their toxic behaviors is crucial to maintaining a high vibration. While cutting ties with them entirely may not always be feasible, you can take steps to limit your exposure and minimize their impact on your energy levels. Prioritize self-care by engaging in activities that bring you joy, relaxation, and a sense of well-being. Maintain a strong support network and practice good communication with those in your life. Avoid gossiping and backstabbing, as these are common tools used by energy vampires to drain your positive energy. Set healthy boundaries and be firm when asserting them. If possible, limit the amount of time you spend with energy vampires to prevent them from siphoning your personal power and leaving you feeling drained and depressed.