The concept of “bad vibes” (though difficult to pinpoint scientifically or medically) is a sensation that resonates with many people, no matter the circumstance in which they might arise. Perhaps you walk into a room and a disconcerted feeling washes over you. Or maybe you spend time with a negative person and find that their energy makes you feel down, too.  Maybe you find yourself derailed by catastrophic thinking. Or, maybe you’re the one who’s feeling off for no apparent reason, and you’re looking for a way to lighten things up—physically, mentally, and emotionally. In any case, you may turn to the chakra system for guidance as you attempt to remove negative energy from your life.

As a method of discovering and processing where that energy originates, you might turn to the foundational principles of the chakras, “which refer to degrees of consciousness in the form of energy at different points in our body,” says Ayurvedic expert Sahara Rose, author of Discover Your Dharma. Like India’s traditional medical system, Ayurveda, the chakra system is derived from the Vedas, a large body of ancient Indian scriptures, says Sahara. And the chakras are referenced within Ayurveda as an avenue to ascertain energetic imbalances, and help realign both body and mind.

“If a chakra is spinning too fast, that would be considered overactive. If it’s spinning too slowly, it’s under-active. And the flow of that energy is determined by our thoughts, feelings, memories, and experiences.” —Parita Shah, Reiki practitioner

If you find yourself asking ‘what are chakras,’ you can imagine them as wheels of energy in the body, which can either spin in balance or out of balance, says Parita Shah, a Reiki practitioner and energy healer: “If a chakra is spinning too fast, that would be considered overactive. If it’s spinning too slowly, it’s under-active. And the flow of that energy is determined by our thoughts, feelings, memories, and experiences.”

We tend to notice that energy more keenly when it feels negative—perhaps manifesting as exhaustion, anger, helplessness, and even jealousy—all of which may be rooted in unprocessed traumas, emotional wounds, or limiting beliefs, says Sahara. According to Bridget Ambrose, an energy medicine healer who’s studied Reiki and cranio-sacral therapy, we physically feel that negative energy by way of lower, denser vibrational energy, as a chakra spins out of balance.

And if that energy is present in a space, it’s possible to feel it, even if it doesn’t stem from your own body. “We all feel and respond to each others’ vibrations, even if we’re not aware of it,” says Ambrose. Part of the reason why may be linked to auras. “Just as we have energy present in our bodies, so, too, each of our bodies is surrounded by a field of constantly changing energy,” says Ambi Kavanagh, Reiki practitioner and author of Chakras & Self-Care. And when negative energy from someone else interacts with that auric field, it can make us feel upset, anxious, or otherwise off-balance, as well.

“We’re much more intuitive than we recognize,” says Shah. “If you pause and ask yourself what it is that you’re picking up from a certain space, you’ll be surprised by how much energy you are deriving from other people.” As such, it’s essential to: identify the types of negative energy we can hold on to; signs that you’re storing negative energy even if you don’t feel like you are; and find ways to make your own energetic field resilient to both internal and external negative forces.

Below, find tips from Sahara, Ambrose, Shah, and Kavanagh on types of negative energy, signs of negative energy, and how to remove negative energy whenever (and from wherever) it arises.

Types of negative energy stored in your chakras

1. Negative self-talk and self-stories

According to Shah, the main negative energy she observes in clients while balancing chakras comes from ourselves. “It’s very much about the stories that we’re telling ourselves and…the cyclical patterns that we’re replaying in our mind,” she says.

If you find yourself saying something like “Ugh, I’m so stupid,” or “I really shouldn’t have done that,” you’re likely engaging in negative self-stories, which can be stored in your body much easier than you might realize.

2. Negative energy that comes from cultural programming

In her practice, Shah also encounters negative energy that comes from cultural programming, which are parameters for how we “should” behave and converse that we get from the culture surrounding us—which is different for all of us.

“For example, if you were taught that women shouldn’t be so expressive, that might be a blockage in your throat chakra,” says Shah. Similarly, if you were taught that men shouldn’t be so emotional, this cultural programming can lead to a blockage.

3. Ancestral programing that stems from family lineage

Depending on what our ancestors and family members have gone through, we could also see negative energy from ancestral programming, says Shah.

Because family members often talk about their thoughts, experiences, and emotions—and because we tend to feed off of the energy of others—the stories we hear from our family members also affect our chakras as well as the energy we hold.

“If [your ancestors have] gone through a world war or famine, they might be passing down stories of scarcity, and that will impact us,” Shah says.

4. Unaddressed emotions

“As we go through life, we have experiences that affect the quality and quantity of energy within the chakras,” says Ambrose.

And because our feelings affect the choices we make, the same as our choices influence how energy moves in our bodies, unfelt or unaddressed emotions can build up as stagnant or negative energy, which affects our health and vitality, Ambrose adds.

Signs that you’re storing negative energy

1. Affected mood 

Shah says that the negative energy we hold on to can affect our mood because we’re holding on to something that’s not serving us for longer than we should (i.e., not at all).

Of course, there’s no way to stop experiencing emotions, but “learning to be present through the difficult themes in our life is the way into healing,” says Ambrose.

2. Physical symptoms

“Anything that doesn’t feel really balanced in the mind, you can also manifest physical symptoms,” says Shah, adding that a physical indicator of unbalanced chakras might be having aches and pains that you didn’t have before.

3. Sleep issues and exhaustion

According to Shah, an inability to fall or stay asleep as well as noticing exhaustion—the type that doesn’t get better after a good night’s sleep—are indicators that your chakras could be blocked.

4. Affected relationships

“Negative energy can also affect our relationships and how we show up, and how we express ourselves in different relationships,” says Shah.

Perhaps you’re normally a great and compassionate communicator and have recently noticed that you’re more irritable when talking to your loved ones about a given issue. This could be a signal that you have a chakra blockage.

Methods for getting rid of negative energy, using the chakra system

1. Rethink the “negative” framework

Even if it feels negative, this kind of energy is not exactly “bad,” but instead considered shadowed or imbalanced, says Sahara. “Shadow only means that we have not shined the light on these issues, and these shadows become more noticeable in others when we have not done the work ourselves.”

She suggests reframing your mindset to consider this shadow energy as present for a reason—to help you grow and release unhelpful preconceptions. To do that, Sahara suggests asking yourself questions about the negative emotions you might be feeling, and then journaling about them in order to bring them into awareness. “Doing so will raise the outer layers of your energetic field, as well as help align the chakras,” she says.

Another helpful avenue: breathing techniques and breathwork. It’s a great way to feel and process an emotion, rather than just dismissing it as negative, Sahara says: “It helps the emotion move through you and release somatically.”

When you pivot from a negative framework to a learning perspective, introspection becomes easier because you’re not afraid of undesired energy. This can ultimately help you make a plan for how to be in alignment with yourself and your values so that you can release negative energy and prevent it from happening (or at least from getting bad) altogether.

2. Detach yourself from energy that isn’t yours

Setting healthy boundaries is a key way to steer clear of situations that could provoke negative feelings internally or put you in the presence of them from other people. It’s okay to say “no” to that person, that event, or that favor if it’s something that doesn’t align with your current energy.

Not to mention, you can set internal energetic boundaries, too, in order to avoid processing other peoples’ negative vibes. “You can ask yourself, ‘What feelings are mine, and what feelings am I taking on, perhaps to help someone else, or just by being human and being a sponge for other people’s energy?'” says Shah. Then give yourself permission to let go of everything that isn’t yours to harbor.

For example, if you notice that your energy is off after a friend emotionally dumps on you, it’s helpful to remind yourself that the energy from that friend isn’t yours to begin with. Similarly, if another person in your life—whether that’s a family member or colleague—brings something to your attention and you don’t feel great about it, ask yourself if that energy comes from internal or external factors. If the answer is the latter, it’s a safe bet to release that energy for your well-being.

3. Take a bath

Because it’s is a powerful cleansing agent, water is easily incorporated into your restorative self-care practices. Taking a bath, says Ambrose, is a good way of clearing stagnant energy.

“This is a wonderful way to purify the aura of negative energy, and re-nourish your spirit,” says Ambrose. “Adding in some essential oils such as eucalyptus, cedar wood, and lavender, along with some Epsom or sea salt works to calm the body, mind, and spirit.”

Additionally, being in a body of water allows you to be more present with yourself. As you bathe, think about what energy you need to release and let the worries and negativity wash away as the bath water drains.

4. Practice a chakra-balancing meditation

Start by visualizing these wheels of energy along the spine, suggests Shah. “The red root chakra is at the base of the spine, the orange sacral chakra is in the pelvic area, the yellow solar plexus chakra is at the stomach (right above the belly button), the green heart chakra is at the center of the heart, the blue throat chakra is at the neck, the indigo third-eye chakra is at the center of your forehead, and the white crown chakra is right above your scalp,” she says.

Bring these different color placements to your mind, and breathe into each one, giving yourself permission to expand the energy with your breath, she says. This will help you develop a relationship with the chakras and determine where any negative energy might be stemming from.

Shah adds that you can incorporate crystals here that are aligned with your chakras. For instance, the root chakra’s color is red, so holding something like red jasper, ruby, vanadinite, garnet, or rubellite during visualization can help amplify the chakra-balancing benefits in terms of releasing negative energy.

5. Incorporate mindfulness moments throughout your day

You don’t have to settle down on your meditation pillow to give your mind a boost—smaller breaks are helpful as well when working with heavy thoughts and feelings. “Throughout the day, take a moment to pause, feel your feet as they connect to the ground, even place your hand on your belly, and take three deep breaths,” Ambrose says.

Mindfulness can help you release negative thoughts by helping you fully engage with the present moment, one in which the anxieties or worries of tomorrow (or maybe even five minutes from the present moment) don’t exist.

6. Spend time in nature

The Earth is one of the most powerful (and free) energy healers that we have, says Shah, and allowing yourself to be supported by it can be deeply restorative. “Most nature spots are full of negative ions, which, contrary to their name, actually help us with creating positive energy,” says Kavanagh. “Forest bathing has become very popular and is a great way to get grounded and centered, and remove yourself from fight-or-flight mode—but you don’t need to make it complicated. A simple walk down a quiet tree-lined street can often shift your energy.”

Kavanagh also suggests time spent near or in the ocean if possible. Whether you’re swimming or dipping your toes in the water, or simply breathing in the salty air and listening to the sounds of the waves, you’ll find that it’s a powerful way to bring your energy into equilibrium and feel more centered as a result, she says.

If you find it difficult to take a walk down the block or a drive down to the ocean—whether because you’re busy with work or in a landlocked state—stepping outside to get vitamin D from the sun can also help you center yourself and release negative energy.

7. Practice visualization to channel a more positive energy

Ambrose says that she visualizes the following scenario when she leaves her house and returns back home: “I often imagine myself being surrounded and protected in a beautiful warm light that holds all the wisdom, sweetness, and love from the universe. I visualize my entire body filling up with this light, every cell being bathed in it. I imagine it surrounding me. Once I feel, sense, and know that it is, I then send it out to any situation, person, or place that could use a higher vibration.”

You can also visualize yourself having a healing energy pouring through your body and traveling along your spine, suggests Shah: “You might start to feel certain body parts get warm or you might feel tingling or even pressure. You could also see some colors. All of those things are just indicators that energy is shifting and releasing.”

According to Shah, crystals can also be powerful to include as part of visualization practices. Like you can use red crystals to balance the root chakra, you can also use yellow crystals (for your solar plexus chakra above your belly button), green crystals (for your heart chakra at the center of your heart), blue crystals (for your throat chakra at your neck), indigo (for your third-eye chakra on the center of your forehead), and white crystals (for your crown chakra stop your scalp) to amplify your visualization of the respective release of negative energy in each chakra.

8. Say affirmations to yourself

Positive self talk in the form of affirmations is one way to clear negative energy. Shah says that the key here is to say affirmations that are: in the present tense (“I am at ease,” “I am beautiful,” or “I am strong,” for instance); devoid of “negative words”; and in line with each chakra. For instance, if you feel a blockage in your throat chakra, you might say to yourself, “I am able to speak the things that I feel.”

Additionally, Shah notes that these present-tense affirmations are “asserting what you are ready to call in and what you naturally feel.” This practice’s aim isn’t for you to feel uncomfortable—it’s a way of “being okay with what you already know to be true inside of yourself.”

FAQs about removing negative energy

How do I remove bad energy in my home?

“Bad” energy in the home is “essentially just thoughts, feelings, and memories of a lower vibration,” says Shah. This negative energy can have many causes, she says; for example, guests in a home, or the home’s previous owners. However, just because there may be negative energy in your home doesn’t mean it can’t be cleared— as for how to cleanse your house, Shah says it’s key to first appreciate “the buried stories, emotions, and experiences, and the people who lived on your land before you.”

After this acknowledgement, she recommends offering incense, lighting a candle for divine protection, or playing ancient mantras. Another way to do this is by using sea salt, which she says has been historically used to purify energies; place some salt in a small bowl and ask for it to “lift any heavy energies that don’t belong in your home” before discarding it the next day, she says.

How can I free my mind of negative energy?

Aside from all the specific methods discussed above to free your mind of negative energy,  it’s important to take ownership and to remind yourself that you’re ultimately in control of the energies in your mind, says Shah. “Only you can give yourself permission to keep a neutral, soft and still mind that is free of judgement,” she says.

This isn’t to say this is always easy—there are bound to be distractions, and sometimes filtering these is easier said than done. To prep for these occasions, she says, “we can bring our mind back to our breath, a mantra, or feeling that we want to cultivate.” Try to make this part of your morning routine, Shah advises: one way to do this is to settle on the state of mind you’d like to set for the day as it starts, then periodically check in throughout the day to anchor yourself to it. Use your mantras and your breath to stay on track. This isn’t about denial, though—it’s about learning to filter and selectively engage. “Allow yourself to witness negative energies that you are undeniably around, but know that you don’t have to engage in every story that your mind presents,” she says.

What triggers negativity?

Numerous factors play into why someone might experience negativity. Someone else’s energy can even trigger negativity, says Ambrose. “Many of us are sensitive to the energy around us whether it’s feeling a negative vibe in a room or picking up emotions from others and in some cases experiencing those energies as your own,” she says.

It’s how we respond to these negativity triggers that matters. According to Shah, recognizing that we will always have to deal with the overthinking, analyzing, assumptions, and judgement is an essential piece of wellbeing; these tools are ways the mind tries to protect us, she says, but they can also hold us back if someone doesn’t manage them. The key to defeat self-sabotage is to recognize these negativity triggers and to have measures in place to counteract them. Once this is achieved, she says “we can then have compassion for the mind, while choosing the thoughts that best serve our wellness.”