Contagious Energy
We encounter contagious energy in a variety of settings on a daily basis. Sometimes it is fun, such as a giggle attack or a fun party. Other times it is damaging, such as conflict and struggle in a classroom. There are many stories about how panicked crowds trampled each other in their group panic or groups of people being conned into doing something normally incomprehensible.
You can teach your kids how to understand how this energy works and how to use it. When the energy is fun and engaging, it is a good thing to tap into. It connects us and joins us in communal feelings that can move us forward and create a lightness in our lives. When it isn't good for us or is manipulative or negative we can teach our children how to step out of the collective energy and maintain themselves.
Energetic boundaries
Teaching the children about how to understand their own energy system will help them manage contagious energy. As you would teach your children about good touch and bad touch, you can also teach them good energy and bad energy lessons.
Remind them that their energy extends arm length around them in all directions. Have them check into how their are feeling in their own energy space so they can be familiar with how their energy feels to them vs. the rest of the world. Ask them to notice how their space around them feels as they enter different environments or different people come into the room.
Balance is key
“Step with care and great tact, and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act.”
We don't want to teach our kids to wall off from the world around them we want to teach them how to understand themselves in the world. When working with contagious energies, the goal is not remain completely immune. That would diminish the human experience. The real goal is understand yourself enough to know what is good for you to engage in and what isn't.
Have your child reflect on experiences of contagious energy after you notice them. Ask them how they felt around that person or setting. Ask them if they felt it was good or bad for them. If they determine it is bad, ask them how they could have avoided that experience. Questioning rather than telling helps them learn their own balance rather than replacing one contagious energy with another (yours).
Trust their gut
If your children tell you something is fishy, trust them. Listen to their feedback about the world. Sometimes they show shyness or nervousness for good reason and we dismiss it, telling them that everything is "fine". Practice listening to your kids when they have a gut feeling that says "stop" or "go slow" and help them find their energetic space so they can feel safe to proceed. If you teach them to trust what they are sensing, you allow them to feel empowered by their senses rather than victimized by them.
