Shielding in social situations

I don't know if I could call myself empathic. But if I'm in a hypersensitive mood with a low tolerance for people, but have to deal with a social situation, I envision a sphere around me in a calming color and do an improvised chant along the lines of anyone's negativity bouncing off it, as well as letting positive energy in and flowing through me, using it to my advantage and the overflow going into the ground. I take what I need and let the rest go, rather than just let it overwhelm me, and mirror the negative away. So far, so good. :)