Have you ever walked into a room and instantly felt heavy, like something was just off? Or maybe you’ve been around certain people who drain your energy, leaving you exhausted for no reason? Negative energy is real, and it can sneak into your life in ways you don’t even realize. Whether it comes from other people, your environment, or even your own thoughts, it’s important to have ways to clear it out and keep your space—and yourself—protected.
The good news? You don’t have to let bad vibes take over. There are plenty of simple and effective ways to cleanse, shield, and strengthen your energy so you can feel lighter, clearer, and more at peace. From ancient rituals to everyday habits, these protection techniques will help you stay in control of your own energy field.
Some of these methods involve physical tools, like sage or salt, while others are purely energetic, like visualization and intention-setting. The key is to find what resonates with you and make it a part of your regular routine. Just like you clean your home and take care of your body, your energy needs regular maintenance, too!
So, if you’ve been feeling a little drained, overwhelmed, or stuck, it’s time to clear out the negativity and call back your power. Here are 20 ways to protect yourself and your space from unwanted energy.
20 Protection Tips for Keeping Out Negative Energy
1. Burn Sage, Incense, or Palo Santo
One of the most well-known ways to clear negative energy is through smoke cleansing. Burning sage, palo santo, or incense (like sandalwood or frankincense) helps to purify the air, remove stagnant energy, and bring in a sense of peace. Open a window while you do this to allow the negativity to leave your space.
Make it a ritual by setting an intention as you move through your home, gently waving the smoke into corners, around doors and windows, and even over yourself. This practice has been used for centuries and is a great way to reset your energy.
2. Keep a Bowl of Sea Salt and Water in Your Home
Salt is known for its powerful cleansing properties. Placing a bowl of sea salt and water in your home absorbs heavy, unwanted energy and keeps your space feeling fresh. Change the water regularly to ensure it’s doing its job.
For an extra boost, you can add a few drops of essential oil, like lavender or rosemary, to enhance the clearing effect. If you feel like your home has collected a lot of negativity, simply dispose of the salt water and replace it with fresh ingredients.
3. Visualize a Protective Light Shield
Your imagination is a powerful tool. Take a few moments to close your eyes and picture yourself surrounded by a glowing bubble of protective light. This could be white, pink, or blue—each color offering different energy benefits.
White light cleanses and protects, pink brings love and compassion, and blue promotes calm and peace. Imagine this shield keeping out negativity while allowing love and positive energy to flow in.
4. Cut Energetic Cords
Sometimes, we form energetic ties with people, places, or past experiences that drain us. If you’re feeling stuck or weighed down, visualize yourself gently cutting these cords and sealing the space with love.
You can do this by imagining a golden pair of scissors snipping the cords or calling on Archangel Michael, who is known for helping with energetic clearing. Once you cut the cords, envision the area filled with healing light.
5. Practice the Truck Tire Deflection Method
This is a great technique for dealing with negative people. Picture yourself inside a giant truck tire, rolling along smoothly. Any negativity sent your way bounces right off and rolls away, never touching you.
This simple visualization keeps unwanted energy from sticking to you while allowing you to move through your day with ease. It’s especially useful if you work in a high-stress environment or deal with emotionally draining situations.
6. Use Prayers or Mantras
Speaking words of protection creates a strong energetic boundary. Whether you use traditional prayers, personal affirmations, or powerful mantras, the vibration of your words helps to shield your energy field.
Try saying something simple yet effective, like: “I am protected, I am safe, I am surrounded by light.” Repeat it whenever you need an energetic boost.
7. Draw the 2nd Reiki Symbol in Your Space
If you’re familiar with Reiki, the second symbol (Sei He Ki) is known for clearing negative energy and bringing harmony. Draw it in the corners of your home, on your front door, or even in the air when you feel the need for protection.
Even if you’re not attuned to Reiki, simply tracing the symbol with intention can create a powerful energy shift.
8. Use Sound to Clear Energy
Drumming, rattling, clapping, or ringing bells instantly shift stagnant energy. Sound vibrations break up negativity and replace it with fresh, high-vibrational frequencies.
Walk through your space while making noise, paying extra attention to corners and doorways where energy can get stuck. If you don’t have an instrument, even playing uplifting music can help clear the air.
9. Circle Your Crown With Incense
Your crown chakra is like an antenna for energy, so keeping it clear is important. Take Nag Champa or Dragon’s Blood incense and circle it above your head three times to remove unwanted energetic debris.
This is especially helpful if you’ve been feeling foggy, overwhelmed, or disconnected from your intuition.
10. Say No to Drama and Energy Vampires
One of the easiest ways to protect your energy is to set boundaries. If someone constantly drains you or brings negativity into your life, it’s okay to limit your time with them.
You don’t have to engage in drama or feel responsible for fixing others. Protecting your peace is a form of self-care.
11. Schedule an Aura Cleansing
Just like your physical body, your energetic body needs maintenance. Getting a professional aura cleansing—through Reiki, sound healing, or energy work—can remove built-up negativity and leave you feeling refreshed.
You can also cleanse your aura at home by taking a salt bath, using essential oils, or simply spending time in nature.
12. Carry Protective Crystals
Crystals are natural energy protectors that can help you stay shielded throughout the day. Black tourmaline is excellent for repelling negativity, amethyst raises your spiritual protection, and obsidian absorbs unwanted energy.
Keep a small crystal in your pocket, wear it as jewelry, or place one near your workspace. If you feel heavy or drained, hold your crystal and set the intention to clear any negative energy it has absorbed.
13. Take a Salt Bath
Water and salt work together to cleanse and recharge your energy field. Taking a bath with sea salt, Epsom salt, or Himalayan salt can wash away energetic buildup and leave you feeling lighter.
For an extra boost, add a few drops of essential oils like lavender or rosemary and visualize any negativity dissolving into the water. When you’re done, imagine the drain carrying it all away.
14. Set Clear Boundaries
One of the most powerful ways to protect your energy is by setting firm boundaries. If certain people, situations, or habits drain you, it’s okay to say no. Protecting your peace isn’t selfish—it’s necessary.
Be mindful of who and what you allow into your space. Your time and energy are precious, and you don’t have to give them to anyone or anything that doesn’t align with your well-being.
15. Spend Time in Nature
Nature has a way of neutralizing heavy energy and bringing you back into balance. Walking barefoot on the earth, sitting by a tree, or even just taking deep breaths of fresh air can instantly shift your energy.
If you’re feeling weighed down, spend a few minutes outside and let the natural elements cleanse you. The sun, wind, and even rain all have purifying properties.
16. Use Mirrors for Energy Protection
Mirrors aren’t just for checking your reflection—they can also reflect negativity away from your space. Placing small mirrors near doors or windows can help prevent negative energy from entering.
You can also visualize an energetic mirror around you, reflecting any bad vibes back to their source while keeping you safe inside.
17. Avoid Absorbing Others’ Emotions
If you’re naturally empathetic, you might unknowingly take on other people’s emotions and problems. It’s important to recognize what’s yours and what isn’t.
When you feel overwhelmed, take a moment to ask: Is this my energy, or am I carrying someone else’s? If it’s not yours, visualize it leaving your body and returning to its rightful place.
18. Keep Your Home Clean and Clutter-Free
Physical clutter can lead to energetic clutter. When your space is messy, energy can get stuck and create a heavy atmosphere.
Make it a habit to clear out old items, organize your surroundings, and open your windows to let fresh air in. A clean space allows for a clear mind and a protected energy field.
19. Charge Your Energy With the Sun or Moon
Both the sun and moon have strong cleansing and protective properties. Spending time in sunlight can recharge your personal energy, while moonlight (especially during a full moon) can help release what no longer serves you.
Try sun-gazing in the morning or standing under the moon at night with the intention of absorbing their natural energy. You’ll feel more aligned and protected.
20. Trust Your Intuition
Your intuition is your built-in warning system. If something or someone doesn’t feel right, trust that feeling. Your body and energy will always give you signals when something is off.
If you get a gut instinct to avoid a place, person, or situation, listen to it. Strengthening your intuition helps you stay protected and navigate the world with more awareness and confidence.
Keep Your Energy Sacred
At the end of the day, your energy is one of the most valuable things you have. Keeping it protected isn’t just about avoiding negativity—it’s about maintaining a space where you feel grounded, strong, and at peace.
You don’t have to do all 20 of these at once. Start with the ones that resonate most with you and build from there. Over time, these small but powerful habits will help you stay in control of your own energy, no matter what’s happening around you. Stay protected, stay empowered, and most importantly—stay true to yourself. ?
