How to Protect Yourself from Negative People

No one likes to be around negative people. However, it cannot always be avoided, especially when the negativity comes from family members, friends, co-workers, and even members of one's own church.

It is challenging, but you must learn how to protect yourself from the negative energy that zaps your spirit.

Negative energy is harmful. Learn how to protect yourself when you’re faced with negative energy.

Here are some powerful strategies you can use to protect yourself against negative people.

Stay Away, If Possible

The most effective way to avoid negative energy is to just stay away from people who are consistently negative. That is not always possible when the negative people are family members, co-workers, classmates, and others that you must be around.

Don't Engage in the Drama

Don’t feed the drama. Negative people need drama in their lives as much as they need oxygen. To take their breath away, stay positive and upbeat, and refuse the bait, no matter how tempting. Try to stay calm and do not give negative people power over you.

“Misery Loves Company”

You have probably heard the saying, “Misery loves company.” That phrase suggests that people who are unhappy often seek solace in the presence of others who are also suffering. They find comfort in shared experiences of misery.

“Misery loves company” is a well-known expression that reflects a common human tendency to seek out others during times of unhappiness. It implies that individuals who are feeling miserable may find some consolation in knowing that they are not alone in their suffering. This can manifest in various ways, such as sharing negative experiences or seeking out others who are also feeling down.

Be careful being around a miserable person. It is much easier for you to become miserable like that person instead of that person to become joyful like you. Here is a story to illustrate that realization.

A man named Fred saw a man named Bob on a bridge getting ready to jump. Fred tried to stop Bob from jumping. So Fred asked Bob, “What's going on in your life that makes you want to end your life?” The would-be jumper began to tell Fred all his problems and his perception of how bad the world has become. After Fred heard how bad the world was, he believed Bob. Then he took Bob's hand and said to him, “Move over! I will jump with you.”

The moral of that story is that when you try to spread joy to others, make sure you have enough to share. Otherwise, you will end up in the same ocean with Bob and Fred.

The bottom line is that there are miserable people around us. While we want to help them, we must be very careful that they do not drag us down into the ocean with them.

Yes, “misery loves company.” So do joy, happiness, contentment, satisfaction, and bliss. Those positive things are available and want company as well.

• Keep your own power. One of the problems that happens when you are around a miserable person is that you can easily allow that person to steal your joy.
• Stay positive. Don't allow a miserable person to influence you to become miserable so you can be in company with him.

Author's Note

This content is based on research, and the suggestions are not from a qualified professional. If you ever find yourself with someone who threatens to jump off a bridge, try to help, but do not join him by jumping into the ocean with him. After leaving the dangerous scene, help the miserable person get professional help.