Whenever you encounter someone, whether that be in the morning rush or at a lunch meeting, energy exchange is always at play. We are energetic beings, and even though we don't consciously realise it (not all of us anyway - topic for another day) there is always energy transfers present. Simply stated, there is your energy and the energy of the other person across from you (we won't even consider all the other energy floating around the environment such as the Earth's magnetic field, cell phones, antennae etc....).
This daily interaction simply means that if you are not centered in your energy field, your energy could be infiltrated and influenced by that of your friend, spouse, child, parent or even strangers.
Here are some tips to avoiding energy drain ad reclaiming your energy.
Don't Use Negative Emotions as Tools for Connections (i.e. If your friend is sad, don't sympathize and be sad just to connect with her).
Let Go of Responsibility (Stop feeling responsible for other's negative experience - be responsible for your own.)
Stop Playing Judge (The act of judging immediately connects us to the energy source of our judgement, which brings your vibe down or up if it is something positive, but most of the time we judge because something is indeed bad.)
Drop the Sympathy (The moment you sympathize with someone, you energetically take on the symptoms of the persons you are feeling sorry for.)
Don't Give Anyone Power Over You (The more you own your power, the more control you will have over your vibration.)
Let Go of Thinking You Know Better
Stop Reacting to Others (People who love drama - energy drain - stay away.)
Don't Take Sides
Do Not Accept Blame (No matter what the case, never accept their energy when they are mad. When they calm down and are willing to be civil, then their energy vibration will be more suitable.)
Say "No!" to People Pleasing
Stop Believing Others Beliefs (You are your own person, do your research, learn on your own and build yourself on what you see with your eyes.)
Mind Your Own Business (Again, stay away from drama and don't try to be a mediator, it doesn't work.)
Hope this helps.