Cut back on draining relationships and learn to say no to unwanted requests

Cost: No monetary cost. In the short term, this may cause social friction and possibly lead to losing some relationships. It also takes considerable willpower to actually say no.
In plain terms: The harm caused by a draining person is greater and more consistent than the benefits brought by a supportive one. That is why it makes sense to first reduce such relationships before trying to add healthier ones.
Benefit: A survey of 120 widowed women aged 60–89 found that unpleasant interactions showed a stronger and more consistent link to lower psychological well‑being than pleasant ones. In other words, the negative impact of a draining person outweighs the positive effects of a supportive one.
Evidence grade: C
Sources:Rook (1984). The negative side of social interaction: Impact on psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.46.5.1097
Notes: The study group is quite specific, and the questionnaire was administered only once, so no cause‑and‑effect sequence can be determined. It measures overall happiness rather than energy levels. The author includes this example as a speculative inference. There is no objective definition of what counts as a “draining” relationship; each person must judge that for themselves.