How to stop the energy drain of negative people with a simple brain rewiring technique

Negative people—those who constantly complain, focus on the worst in every situation, and see the world through a bleak lens—are common in many lives.

Their outlook can be exhausting, often dragging others down with persistent pessimism.

Since emotions tend to spread, even without outright expressions of unhappiness, their negativity can still have a noticeable and draining impact.

Emilie Leyes, a certified hypnotherapist and brain-training expert, provides an effective tool to counteract negativity.

Building on the research of neuropsychologist Rick Hanson, Ph.D., she introduces a method called “installation.”

This straightforward technique, based on neuroscience, helps negative people gradually rewire their brains, reducing their natural tendency to think negatively.

Negativity bias is a natural tendency that makes us focus more on negative experiences than positive ones.

It explains why we’re drawn to negative headlines, bad memories linger, and unpleasant events trigger stronger reactions.

Our evolutionary tendency to stay alert to potential threats was once essential for survival. Still, in today’s world, this constant hypervigilance can harm our mental and emotional health.

Leyes, however, believes we can shift this pattern. She says that by deliberately focusing on and enjoying positive moments, we can train our brains to recognize the good while still being mindful of challenges.

“The good news is that you can counteract this negativity bias and change how your brain functions. In her TikTok video, there’s an amazing little tool, brain trick, whatever you want to call it, called installation,” Leyes said.

Lyles added that Dr. Rick Hanson’s “installation” technique helps counter the brain’s tendency to focus on negative experiences.

By intentionally savoring and extending positive moments, the method strengthens their impact and balances out negativity.

Leyes recommends using this technique during positive moments, such as enjoying the last bite of a cheesy pizza.

Focus on the flavors, chew slowly, and fully immerse yourself in the experience to make it last longer.

By intentionally extending and amplifying these moments, you can boost their emotional impact and gradually reduce the influence of negativity bias.

Dr. Hanson advises actively focusing on positive experiences, such as moments of gratitude, personal courage, or acts of kindness. He stresses the importance of fully savoring these memories.

By taking a few moments to relive these experiences and feel their positive emotions, we strengthen the brain’s connection to these uplifting qualities.

This process, Dr. Hanson explains, helps “wire” these strengths into our brains, promoting a more resilient and optimistic mindset.

The installation technique helps improve your mindset and encourages more positive experiences.

Leyes explains in her TikTok video that it “primes the brain to take in more good experiences.”

She notes that what we focus on gets amplified in our minds, shaping how we experience life.

Over time, the brain starts recognizing that positive experiences are as meaningful as negative ones.

How do we deal with negative people?

While walking away from negative people may seem like an easy solution, it’s often harder to implement, says Psychology Today.

While we can distance ourselves from a person with a bad attitude at work or any public place, it’s much more challenging to do the same with a parent, sibling, spouse, colleague, or friend with a negative outlook.

To deal with negative people, it’s important to understand what drives their behavior.

Negativity often stems from three main fears: being disrespected, unloved, or fearing bad things will happen.

These fears can reinforce each other, leading to a belief that “the world is a dangerous place and people are generally mean.”

Given these fears, it’s easy to see why some negative people might be reluctant to chase their dreams, thinking failure is unavoidable.

They may also avoid taking risks, even when stepping out of their comfort zone, which is necessary for personal growth.

Likewise, it’s understandable that people with these fears find it hard to trust others.

Here’s Emilie Leyes discussing the simple trick that gives negative people a positive outlook:

@emilieleyes.hypnosis Taking in more of the good experiences as they happen can keep our brains from thinking so negatively! If you want to be guided through this process and learn these tools in a way that lasts, make sure to check out my six week ✨hypnotic empowerment✨ masterclass where you will learn, bring training and Hypnosis tools to bring yourself out of this negativity, bias, reduce stress, build confidence, and believe in yourself as you pursue your goals! The session is from June 3 to July 8, And you can learn more and get registered at my⛓️ ##mentalhealth##mentalhealthawareness##selfcare##braintraining##neuroplasticity##positivity##mindset##mindsetshift##emilieleyes##psychology##psychologytricks##changeyourmindset##hypnosis##subconsciousmind ♬ original sound – Emilie Leyes • Hypnosis