Do you feel drained when talking to toxic people? Don’t know how to control or keep a distance from them? It’s time to boost your emotional intelligence! Emotionally intelligent people can wisely deal with toxic people as well as manage their emotions.
They seek positivity and have a knack for dealing with negative people. Therefore, they can easily handle difficult situations in life.
Let’s find out how emotionally intelligent people deal with bad people.
Related: How To Stop Feeling Sorry For Toxic People
13 Ways Emotionally Intelligent People Deal With Toxic People
How emotional intelligence deals with toxic people
- They keep a distance from the complainants
People with a negative mindset can only see the hole in the cake. They complain about anything and everything and wallow in self-pity. Because of the victim mentality, toxic people only focus on problems and fail to come up with solutions.
They also transfer their negative energy to the people around them to feel less angry about themselves. Sympathizing with them is a fool’s deed. You will end up in a pessimistic cycle.
When it comes to dealing with negative people, emotionally intelligent people set boundaries and distance even when they turn a sympathetic ear to a toxic person.
They can steer the conversation towards something more positive and productive when the victim is screaming about their problems. They will ask questions like what is your next plan? How do they want to solve the problem?
- They have a high emotional awareness
Awareness is the key to emotionally distancing yourself from negative people. When you are aware of what you want and why you want it and have mental clarity, you will know when a trigger is occurring. You can prevent a mentally deranged person from motivating you.
Imagine a mentally unstable person calling you crazy. What are you going to do? tried to correct it? An emotionally intelligent person will smile and nod. To straighten out difficult people, you need an emotional guard, proper planning, and time.
- They set boundaries
Most people are poor at setting boundaries because they live with toxic people or in a toxic environment and get sucked into chaos. Setting boundaries helps you rise above the devious person, predict their morals and behavior, and know when you can tolerate them and when you don’t need to.
Be it in the office or neighborhood, you may have to interact with a toxic person, but you don’t need one-on-one interactions like you do with other colleagues, neighbors, or friends and people.
Without limits, you are sure to be consumed by difficult situations and unpleasant conversations. Those who consciously set boundaries are better able to decide when and how to talk to a difficult person.
By proactively setting boundaries, emotionally intelligent people tend to be in control of things. You can stand your ground and manage the people who try to intrude on your personal space, which they always will.
- They don’t mind what others think of them
This is how smart people deal with toxic people!
Emotionally intelligent people know how to become masters of their own happiness. They know their strengths and are satisfied with their achievements. They don’t compare their life and success to those around them. Being emotionally intelligent means having a high self-worth.
They don’t seek validation or wait for others to appreciate them when they’re proud of something they’ve done. What other people think of them is neither the source of their happiness nor the source of their distress.
Being emotionally intelligent doesn’t always mean you won’t care what other people have to say, but take opinion with a pinch of salt. You are not what others try to make you be.
In doing so you will have control over your joy and happiness. No one can manipulate you, break your confidence, or limit your happiness.
- They are problem solvers
People in severe emotional distress focus their attention on negative experiences and failures and think about problems, which then amplifies stress and negative emotions. Emotionally intelligent people focus their attention on solving problems. As a result, they create a state of personal efficacy and reduce stress levels.
Thinking of irrational and manipulative people will weaken your mind and make you more vulnerable to toxic people. So, think about strategies and how to deal with negative people.
Control your emotions and control your interactions with manipulative people. You can reduce your negative experiences and improve your emotional health.
- They don’t forget
Emotionally intelligent people may forgive wrongdoers but never forget. They forgive so they can move on with life. But they will not give the wrongdoer a second chance.
This is the common characteristic of the most mature and successful people in the world. Emotionally intelligent people are concerned with protecting themselves from similar harm in the future.
- They don’t engage in negative self-talk
Self-talk is the inner dialogue you have with yourself like “I have improved a lot and I can do better in the next exam etc.” Negative self-talk like, “I have always suffered because of toxic people, I am so weak, so I will continue to suffer.”
Sure, we all absorb negative energy from others and get frustrated and suffer from mood swings, when someone misbehaves with us. But, having a negative internal dialogue program, your subconscious mind is forced to think negatively, which intensifies negative feelings.
This manifests itself in the form of problems in relationships, issues at work, and so on. Therefore, negative self-talk creates a vicious negative spiral. So why not engage in positive inner dialogue and manifest positive experiences in life?
- They can calm their minds without the caffeine
Caffeine may help you focus better on your work, but not deal with toxic people. Fatigue is a side effect of excessive caffeine consumption. So, an extra dose of caffeine, when you are already stressed, can affect the nervous system and cause you to jitter. You may end up making rash decisions.
Caffeine increases adrenaline production, which triggers the fight-or-flight response within us. This helps us to deal with dangerous situations either by facing them and fighting or fleeing the place!
So, the adrenaline rush is fine when you’re being chased by a wild tiger, but not so great when you need to talk to a toxic co-worker at your workplace.
- They sleep well
Adequate sleep is essential for the human brain. It reduces your stress, recharges your memory, energizes your body, and increases alertness and emotional intelligence. This is why we wake up feeling refreshed and clear-headed.
Inadequate sleep increases stress hormones like cortisol and increases your stress levels without straining your attention span or memory.
Emotionally intelligent people sleep well, which is reflected in their positive and proactive behavior as well as the right state of mind when interacting with people or dealing with toxic people.
- They know how to ask for help
How do you deal with toxic people? do this!
It’s good to be so self-reliant! But it is not always possible to solve your problems on your own. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. And toxic people will always hit you in your weak spots.
Emotionally intelligent people have a high level of self-awareness and identify their weaknesses before dealing with toxic people.
They also approach co-workers, good neighbors, close friends, and people to gain valuable insights and a better perspective on how to handle difficult situations and toxic people. Using their best guidance, they overcome challenges.
- They leave ego and the need for truth
Most people are stuck in endless drama because they just want things to happen a certain way. But smart people are not selfish!
They can let go of the need to be right and stop themselves from being drawn into everything that is happening around them. If you practice this exercise, toxic people will never be able to provoke you.
Related: Why You Should Never Expect Emotional Support From A Narcissist
These are things that emotionally intelligent people do to deal with toxic people. Although it seems like a difficult endeavor, practice will make you perfect. Over time, you will deal with toxicity more effectively.
Are you ready to be emotionally smart and keep toxic people away? Do tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
