Negative people's pessimistic outlook can drag down your mood making you feel sullen and cynical. “[A]llowing a negative person to dictate your emotions gives them too much power,” wrote psychotherapist Amy Morin. This means you're responsible for your mood and outlook—don't let anyone else sour it.
Being around a negative person can cause you to feel depressed or sad as well. Research even confirms that negativity is contagious. 5 Communicating negativity in social interactions, even through facial expressions, can pass that negativity on to others.
You may be able to understand how to deal with a negative spouse only if you know the reason behind their negativity. So, stay positive, don't react negatively, offer help, and talk to them about their feelings. However, if your efforts do not improve your relationship, seek professional help.
They might eventually find joy, but if they don't, so be it. Doing nice things for others will make you feel good about yourself and affirm your positive mindset. You can have a successful relationship with a negative person as long as your expectations are based in reality. Don't expect massive changes overnight.
Negative people should get the least of our time and energy, yet we often give them the most attention. Spending time with negative people can be the fastest way to ruin a good mood. Their pessimistic outlooks and gloomy attitude can decrease our motivation and change the way we feel.
Healthy Behavior. When determining if a relationship is creating toxicity, it's important to look at which behaviors are being displayed most frequently in the relationship. In other words, if one or both of you are consistently selfish, negative, and disrespectful, you could be creating toxicity in the relationship.
A toxic person is anyone whose behavior adds negativity and upset to your life. Many times, people who are toxic are dealing with their own stresses and traumas. To do this, they act in ways that don't present them in the best light and usually upset others along the way.
If someone is exposed to negativity or constant criticism early on in their lives, they may mirror that behavior. Children raised in an environment where criticism, pessimism, doom and gloom, and negativity are common will end up having that mapped into their developing brains as typical behavior.
Empathize.
When someone starts off negatively, recognize their pain and then move them toward another topic. You can respond with a heartfelt, "Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that," followed by a more positive suggestion, like, "Let's go get a cup of coffee and talk about the Wick project. I'd love to get your ideas."
Negative comments provide evidence that you cannot succeed at your goals, which can be demotivating. There is evidence that people need to experience positive feelings about three times more often than negative feelings in order to maintain positive moods. A positive mood drives people to be productive and creative.
Overly controlling behavior is a common red flag in relationships. People that try to control your movements, decisions, or beliefs are more concerned about what they want than what is best for you. If a guy or girl tries to control what you wear or where you go, this could be a red flag.
Toxic relationships can severely affect mental health, often leading to a decline in self-esteem, energy levels, and overall happiness. Constant exposure to toxicity can generate feelings of insecurity, as victims frequently question themselves and navigate the relationship with caution.
Psychologists have identified several personality traits that are commonly associated with toxic individuals, including high levels of narcissism, antisocial behavior, and a lack of empathy.
Unhealthy relationships may contribute to a toxic social environment that can lead to stress, depression, anxiety, and even suicide. It is important to recognize the warning signs and find ways to reduce or avoid relational toxicity.
Negative relationships can lead to or worsen anxiety and stress disorders. Toxic relationships create mental strain and stress, and even all out health problems. Our emotions and nervous systems can only handle so much.
People with toxic traits know they have them
But many people with toxic traits don't realize that their behavior impacts others. You may have toxic traits that you don't know about. Some toxic traits, like absolutism, manifest subtly.
If you suspect that someone is a negative friend, then it's important to try and limit the amount of time that you spend with them because it will only have a negative effect on your mental health in the long run.
Regular or even constant negative thinking can also be a sign of anxiety, depression, stress or low self-esteem. This sounds a bit strange, but negativity can also be contagious.
Dealing with a negative co-worker can leave others feeling emotionally tired, unhappy and dissatisfied, which is why it's important to address the negativity rather than try to ignore it. The same is true when dealing with a negative friend or family member.