You walk into a space and feel instantly off. Nothing’s happened, but oh boy, the vibe’s heavy. Your body knows it, even before your brain catches up.
Then, you see someone quietly crying in the corner. Maybe they just received distressing news or are processing unspoken grief or heartbreak. And without meaning to, they’re letting the energy ripple out and thicken the air.
Unfortunately, it can latch on to you and build up… if you don’t know where you end and other people begin. But through knowing how to get rid of negative energy, you get to stay clear-headed and anchored in your own frequency, no matter what’s happening around you.
Awareness is the first step to healing. If you don’t see the energy clearly, you can’t change it.
— Jeffrey Allen, trainer of Mindvalley’s Duality program
What is negative energy?
Negative energy is unprocessed emotion that gets stored in your body, your space, or your energetic field (known in science as the biofield). It’s the invisible “weight” responsible for fatigue, tension, irritability, brain fog, and heck, even self-doubt.
Sometimes, it comes from you: the frustration you swallowed, the worry you brushed off, the argument you never quite resolved…
But sometimes, it comes from your coworker’s bad mood; a room that feels off; or a doom-scroll session that loaded your subconscious with fear, grief, or anger you didn’t realize you absorbed.
That’s the thing about energy: it lingers in your system until you learn how to clear it, whether it came from you or outside of you.
“We’re always spreading it to other people, even if we don’t want to,” says renowned energy healer Jeffrey Allen in his exclusive Mindvalley program, Duality. And that’s because energy, whether positive or negative, can’t be created or destroyed, only moved and transformed.
And it adds up fast to affect the collective consciousness. According to the American Psychological Association, over 75% of adults in the U.S. are experiencing stress-related symptoms regularly. Factors range from political uncertainty to non-stop digital overwhelm.
With this much unprocessed emotion, the call for self-healing is louder than ever, and healing the world starts with, as Jeffrey points out, awareness. He adds, “If you don’t see the energy clearly, you can’t change it.”
6 signs you’re affected by negative energy
“Stress builds up in your system,” says Jeffrey, “if you don’t know how to clear it.”
So, here’s how to spot its presence before it can settle in further:
1. Frequent mental confusion
You’re overthinking everything.
Things that are usually obvious feel oddly complicated, like what to say in a meeting, how you actually feel about something, or whether you’re even hungry. You forget why you’re staring at your calendar as soon as you open it, or you reread texts and still can’t decide what to reply.
To Jeffrey, these are obvious tells that you’re operating in low vibration. The kicker? “You’ll keep thinking the same way, making the same decisions with partial or incorrect information,” he points out.
So, before chalking it up to brain rot from scrolling one too many feeds (which, in and of itself, can be a source of negative energy), pause and reassess yourself with these questions:
- “Am I grounded? Or just running on autopilot?”
- “Did I move my body today? Or just move from tab to tab?”
Or, better yet, keep it simple: “Is this even my thought?”
You’ll be surprised how often the answer is no and how quickly clarity returns once you decide to get rid of negative energy from your life.
2. Emotional overwhelm or shutdown
One second, you’re snapping at a friend. Next, you’re numbing out in a scroll hole or canceling plans you swore you’d follow through on.
These are obvious signs your system is trying to process more energy than it can hold. This kind of internal overflow, Jeffrey says, happens in the face of unprocessed emotions.
“You’ll have some pain that you don’t want to clear,” he adds. Or you stonewall because, deep down, “you want to drop out altogether or give up.”
Either way, your body’s begging you to move the energy, whether through chaos or silence.
3. Physical tension, fatigue, or pain
Jaw tightness, headache after meetings, heaviness in your legs, or just that background fatigue that follows you like a second skin… These are all ways your body flags energy that’s been stuck in your body.
In moments like these, Lee Holden, a qi gong expert and proponent of energy healing as a stress buster, encourages you to ask yourself, “Where do you hold your stress in your body? Is it in your neck and shoulders? Your abdomen? Your low back?”
You don’t have to unravel it all at once. Just start by noticing where your physical symptoms occur. Where they occur are clues for knowing how to raise your vibration.
4. You feel stuck, aimless, or indecisive
It seems like you’re doing everything right. But something’s not landing.
Like, you start things and lose steam. Or you can’t tell if your yes is actually a yes. Or you’re stuck in what feels like a permanent “meh.”
This kind of energetic static blocks your intuition. And when your inner compass gets drowned out, clarity fades from your rearview.
“If you don’t increase your intuition,” Jeffrey explains, “you’re just going to keep guessing instead of knowing.”
5. You feel disconnected from your body
You’re here, but not really here. It could look a lot like:
- Skipping meals or eating without tasting.
- Going through the daily motions without thinking.
- Forgetting how you got from one room to the next.
And the thing they all have in common is that they hide a core signature feeling: numbness. That’s usually a sign that your energy is stuck or scattered.
The opposite of this state? Embodiment—when you’re grounded and aware of your day-to-day routines. Energetically, Jeffrey says, “you’re stronger when you’re more present in your body.”
And when you are, your mind, heart, and belly (which Lee calls your “three treasures” in qi gong) become harmonious again.
6. You unconsciously mimic other people’s energy
Lately, you’ve caught yourself sounding a lot like your disgruntled neighbour, texting like that influencer you love-hate on IG, or craving things that don’t even feel like you.
These are some of the first signs of energetic mimicry—that is, when you lack boundaries.
So, what do you do? Whenever whispers or sinking feelings of low self-worth rear their heads, follow Jeffrey’s advice: “Remember to be yourself.”
And when you’re unsure of what to look for as a sign? Simple: Check how you’ve mirrored other people. “You can also notice if you’re talking or dressing like your friend.”
When you get good at discerning where you end and others begin, and vice versa, you’ll sharpen your knowledge of what’s yours. And above all, you’ll stop carrying what’s not.
How to get rid of negative energy in your body
Before you clear your space, weed out those bad relationships, or shine the light on other people’s bad vibes, you must first get grounded in your own body.
Important note: While clearing can feel amazing, Jeffrey reminds that “you may feel some initial discomfort,” especially if it hasn’t been moving for a long time.
We raise our energy by using it.
— Jeffrey Allen, trainer of Mindvalley’s Duality program
Here’s where you can start:
1. Meditation
Nothing quite like meditation to bring about self-awareness. It’s the foundation of Jeffrey’s energy healing classes and “where the [healing] journey always begins.”.
When your system’s overloaded, doing any of these meditation techniques can sweep out the excess debris.
- Body scan meditation: Tune into each part of your body and notice what sensations come up. It’s simple and wildly revealing.
- Mindfulness meditation: Sit, breathe, and observe. No fixing, just noticing what’s present and how your energy shifts as you pay attention.
- Chakra meditation: Focus on each energy center in the body and breathe into it. Great if you’re feeling blocked in specific areas.
- Movement meditation: Walking, swaying, or gentle qi gong all help reconnect your body and energy when stillness feels impossible.
- The 6 Phase Meditation: A guided method created by Mindvalley’s CEO and founder, Vishen, this practice walks you through six key stages, from compassion to blessing.
Pick one. Start small. Your system will tell you what it needs once it finally has space to speak.
Try this spiritual cleansing meditation from Jeffrey:
2. Chakra healing
You know those recurring bodily pains you’re experiencing during a hard life season? They’re all a signal that your tank is empty.
And where you feel the discomfort matters, at least from a chakra healing standpoint (which looks at how energy flows or gets stuck in the body).
For example:
- A tight chest could signal a blocked heart chakra, which happens when you’re processing heartbreak or grief.
- A heavy lower back might point to a depleted root chakra, a sign that comes up when you’re not feeling safe, physically and financially, in life.
- That lump in your throat? Classic throat chakra tension, a result of things unsaid or truths you’ve been avoiding.
- Headaches or tension behind the eyes could mean your third eye is overwhelmed from information overload and not enough action.
So, what chakra healing does is get your body’s energy moving again, especially in areas where imbalance has occurred.
As the stuck energy gets released, pain and tension start to ease, and you’ll start feeling clear-headed and focused again.
If you’ve not tried this method, give the free chakra meditation a go to start:
3. Salt baths
There’s a reason energy healers swear by salt baths.
First off, the mineral’s a natural energy purifier. It helps draw out the static, tension, and emotional residue your body collects from stress, digital overstimulation, and other people.
And its physical benefits are real, too, especially with the Epsom or Himalayan variety. One study found that soaking in hot water with Epsom salt significantly reduced pain and improved mobility in elderly arthritis patients.
So, turn a salt bath into a clearing ritual:
- Pour a generous handful of Epsom or Himalayan salt into your bathtub. No tub? A foot soak works, too.
- Soak your whole body or feet for at least 20 minutes. Nighttime is the perfect window for a wind-down.
- If you like, add a few drops of grounding essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, or rosemary for that extra zen, calming effect.
With every dip in the healing water, you’ll step out feeling clearer, calmer, and a little more you.
4. Breathwork
Your breath is one of the fastest ways to reset your system. It feeds your cells, grounds your mind, and recalibrates your energetic field.
Slow, mindful breathing tells your body it’s safe to let go. And above all, it opens space for stuck energy to finally move.
Explore any one of these breathing techniques:
- Coherent breathing: Inhale slowly through your nose, letting your belly rise, then exhale gradually. This steady rhythm helps regulate your nervous system and restore balance.
- Diaphragmatic breathing: Deep, full inhales that expand your belly, making a great foundation for mindful breathing practices.
- 4-7-8 technique: Inhale for four seconds, hold for seven, and exhale for eight. Best for calming nerves or winding down before bed.
- Box breathing: Inhale, hold, exhale, hold—all for four counts each. Visualize a square as you go to help maintain focus.
- SOMA Breath®: A rhythmic method developed by breathwork expert and Mindvalley trainer, Niraj Naik, that blends breath holds and beats to access deeper brainwave states.
Each style acts like a tuning fork for your field, helping you settle, center, and clear the static.
Get your breathwork journey going with Niraj’s three-minute meditation hack:
5. Shake your body
If you’ve been feeling stuck, sluggish, or low-key “meh,” just shake it out. Literally.
A few easy movements to try:
- Wiggling your fingers.
- Rolling your shoulders.
- Jumping in one place.
- Stretching first thing in the morning.
- Yawn—as loud as you can.
- Twist side to side in your work chair.
These might look like nothing, but they’re actually great energetic openers.
“We raise our energy by using it,” Jeffrey points out in his program. And small movements are a great way of telling your body it’s safe to be OK and increase your vibrations.
6. Sound healing
Sound waves, which are the basis of sound healing, can slip past the part of your brain that overthinks and get straight to where stress lives in your body.
And science is fast catching up. A study published on PubMed Central has shown that these specific frequencies can reduce tension and anxiety, help synchronize brainwaves, and support emotional regulation.
“It works on a cellular level, reprogramming what’s stuck in your energetic field,” says manifestation expert and sound healing enthusiast Regan Hillyer in her Manifesting Mastery program on Mindvalley.
Now, some of the most common tools used in energy healing classes include:
- Tibetan singing bowls
- Tuning forks
- Crystal bowls
- Gongs
Of course, you don’t necessarily have to attend any spiritual classes to feel the powerful effects of sound healing. You can also play some shamanic meditation soundscapes, tracks incorporating binaural beats, or chanting to send stuck energy out the window.
Tune in to this stress-soothing Mindvalley meditation to experience what this process feels like:
How to get rid of negative energy in your home
Just like you shower daily to rinse off dirt, your home needs a regular energy clearing to reset the place where you return to yourself every day. According to Jeffrey, it doesn’t have to be complicated: “Energy tools are easy. You just let them happen.”
Keep your home-clearing ritual simple with the following steps:
7. Smudge your space
Smudging is one of the oldest ways to shift energy. Burning sacred herbs like sage, palo santo, or frankincense helps clear stagnant charge and re-center the atmosphere in your space.
What’s more, a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that burning medicinal herbs like sage reduced airborne bacteria by over 94% within an hour. And the purifying effect? It lasted up to 24 hours in a closed room.
Start with these steps:
- Choose your smudging herbs of choice. Palo santo or white sage for purification. Or frankincense resin, cedar, and sweetgrass for clarity, protection, and blessings, respectively.
- Walk through your home slowly. As you move from room to room, hold a clear intention, be it to release what’s heavy or to invite in clarity, warmth, and peace.
- Focus on corners, thresholds, closets, and mirrors—anywhere energy tends to settle. Keep a window open so the old energy has somewhere to go.
Pro tip: Say words of affirmations while you’re doing this ritual to imbue presence. The smoke carries your intention, what you’re ready to release, and what you’re making space for. So, hearing yourself out loud can deepen your focus and amplify the shift.
8. Declutter with intention
Clutter holds emotion. Every pile, every “someday” item, every junk box in the corner all carry old energy and memories. That’s why clearing them out can feel weirdly emotional, even if it’s just moving shoes.
Start with one area like the shelf you side-eye, the closet you overstuffed, or the chair that became a laundry pile, and nothing more.
As you sort through the old things, say any of these statements aloud or in your head:
- “I release what no longer supports me.”
- “This belonged to an old version of me—I’m letting it go.”
- “I only keep what adds clarity, calm, or joy.”
- “I’m clearing space for who I’m becoming.”
- “It’s safe to move on.”
Sure, these steps are simple, but they shift the energy fast. And this is the difference between “cleaning” and “clearing”—the latter taps into how to get rid of negative energy spiritually.
9. Use crystals to anchor the vibes you want
Crystals aren’t just pretty items to stay put on your shelf. These natural minerals influence the energy within a space by absorbing, amplifying, and redirecting it.
Place them in your home like you would energetic antennae: at entrances, near windows, or anywhere the energy feels off.
Start with these:
- Black tourmaline for grounding and protection
- Selenite to clear and reset the space
- Amethyst for emotional balance and calm
- Citrine for warmth, abundance, and an uplifting vibe
Cleanse them regularly. Place them under the moonlight, “bathe” them with the right sound frequencies, or purify them with the smoke from our smudge stick.
Press play with this soundscape featuring feng shui expert Marie Diamond to rewire your space to attract success:
10. Turn to daily aromatherapy
Scent is one of the quickest ways to shift the mood of a space… and the energy of the person standing in it.
Diffuse essential oils throughout the day, or blend a few drops with water in an amber-colored glass spray bottle to refresh the air between meetings, after visitors, or anytime the atmosphere feels a little stale.
Start with a few core notes:
- Lavender for calm and clarity
- Rosemary to sharpen focus
- Frankincense for spiritual elevation
- Cedarwood for grounding and a sense of stability
- Lemon for freshness and emotional clarity
- Eucalyptus to clear mental fog and open up breathing space
- Ylang-ylang to soften tension and promote emotional balance
Every scented breath now becomes a signal to your system to slow down, soften, and be centered again.
How to get rid of negative energy in others
You can’t force someone to change their energy, but you can stop absorbing it.
How? By resetting the field around you, hold your own frequency, and stop the loop of emotional contagion (a.k.a., when stress, fear, or frustration gets passed from one person to another without anyone realizing it).
“Tuning into this higher awareness gives us fantastic guidance,” says Jeffrey on the power of energetic discernment. And you can start honing in on these energetic hygiene practices:
11. Practice visualization
When someone’s energy feels overwhelming, close your eyes. Then, start imagining two fields: one around them, one around you.
From here:
- Keep those fields separate.
- Then, picture a soft, neutral light flowing between the two of you.
That’s your boundary, like a filter instead of a hard wall (because you don’t want to cut ties with people you love, who may drain you in the moment).
12. Ground yourself before socializing
Before you head out the door to meet up with other people or engage in group settings, stop and pause for 30 seconds. Breathe deep. Feel your feet. Anchor into how you want to feel before anyone else walks in with their energy.
Then, try any or all of these quick resets before you engage:
- Take three deep, belly-based breaths.
- Stand tall and visualize roots growing from your feet.
- Say, “I stay connected to myself, no matter what’s around me.”
- Rub your hands together to activate presence.
- Set an intention like “I choose calmness” or “I am protected in my own energy.”
You don’t have to match anyone’s energy to hold space. Start in yours and stay there. Everything else will fall into place.
Pro tip: Go for a walk barefoot in your favorite park to re-ground yourself post-socializing. There’s nothing like earthing to revitalize your energy field.
13. Create and sustain space
When someone else’s energy is simply too much, stepping back and protecting your energy is your cue.
Here’s how to create a healthy container for yourself:
- Delay your reply. Take a beat before jumping into their emotional spiral.
- Change the immediate environment. Move to a different room, step outside, or end the convo early.
- Set a loving boundary: “I care, but I need to take a breather right now.”
- Pause your notifications if they’re coming through digitally. Even screens carry an energetic charge between you and other people.
In his program, Jeffrey often cites Mahatma Gandhi’s quote to describe the ripple effect of energy work: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Simply put, you don’t clear heavy energy by absorbing it. You can effectively clear it by refusing to mirror it.
Find your spiritual superpower
If things feel off regardless of all the meditating, journaling, or grounding you may do, it might be time to learn how to clear negative energy with the help of Jeffrey Allen.
“If you’re not tuned into the energy world,” he says, “you’re only using about half of your human abilities.” But you can learn the right tools from him in his free Duality masterclass on Mindvalley, including:
- Four core energy tools that transform any part of your life,
- Get answers from your intuition, or your internal GPS,
- Clear energy blocks in minutes, and
- Outline the blueprint for your next steps.
Thousands have already shifted their energy through the program, including Lorena Vukić from Croatia.
Before Duality, life felt like a constant battlefield—emotional landmines, decision fatigue, and that background feeling of “something’s off.” But once she found Jeffrey’s teaching, she felt herself exhale. Real peace. Real clarity. She shares:
I can use the energy tools in any situation, any time, any place. Having that makes me feel like an energy ninja… Just a few minutes of learning and application every day has made my life so much more fulfilling and positive.
Like Lorena, you can clear the weight you’ve carried far too long. Reclaim your clarity. Feel steady in your own rhythm. Trust your energy again.
The tools are here for your choosing. The next move is all yours.
Welcome in.
