People around you can be negative and complain. Being close to such people can hurt your mental health. To ace the art of balance, you must learn how to stay positive around negative people.
It can be difficult to maintain a positive mind when someone around you is always thinking negatively. Some people have a negative outlook on life, and because they are constantly complaining, sharing your energy and space with them can deplete you emotionally and mentally. They are constantly opposed dear friends, constantly motivated brothers, or even partners who find exciting things about life. These experiences can be extremely exhausting and may find it difficult to respond supportively. And when it appears that there is nothing to change the perspective of a negative person, you may often wonder, “How to stay positive around negative people?”
You must learn to protect your happiness while expressing empathy and understanding with others. In these types of situations, it is important to learn to balance both sides. We cannot induce change for anyone, but we can control how we respond. If you are struggling to strike that healthy balance, you must learn how to stay positive.
How can you stay positive around negative people?
We all want to show empathy for people in our lives. However, if someone has the best attitude ever, it may be difficult to protect your own happiness and positivity. Adopting a balanced approach can help protect relationships without ruining your peace of mind. According to Motivational Counselor Roshan Mansukhani, here are some practical tips to follow when it comes to dealing with negative people.
1. Maintain clear boundaries
Set boundaries and clarify the time you spend together and subjects to discuss. For example, if you are complaining frequently every time you meet a particular friend, you can consider taking a break from your friend for a while and instead catch up with other positive friends. If there is a close relationship, you can even convey boundaries to the person to protect their mental well-being and prevent them from being overwhelmed by negativity.
2. I will put empathy into practice
You don’t have to be rude to anyone going through tough times. And understanding the root cause of someone’s negativity makes it easier to deal with him/her. Try stepping into that person’s shoes and see the situation from his/her perspective. This technique may help you feel more considerate and not personally affected by their negativity. Practicing empathy without taking it personally can help drive the person out of the dark space without being affected.
3. Reduces exposure
If someone near you are permanently negative, you don’t need to cut off your relationship completely with that person, but you can limit the frequency of meeting them. Be careful about how you share your time and energy with someone. If you are affected, you can consider spending time with that person in a clear way. For example, you can plan shorter visits and schedule activities such as watching a movie together with the range of conversations, or going to art or dance classes.
Read again: According to experts, 8 things you need to do to become a positive person
4. Practice stress release activities
Once you know you’re meeting negative people, you can do grounding techniques like mindfulness and deep breathing to focus on yourself and calm yourself. Stay focused and present in your breath, even when you are with that person. After the meeting, take the time to release stress from your body through activities such as yoga, journaling or short walks.
5. Focus on the solution
If you feel that your ongoing conversation with any person is beginning to spiral around complaints or issues, try giving them a new take in the exact same situation. Instead of staying negative for people, you can identify possible solutions and positive outcomes.
6. Become an active listener
When someone is uttering their emotions, don’t interrupt them, instead become an active listener. Instead of planning your response, try to put your heart into the situation as you are showing empathy. By empathy, you can be there without being drawn into their negativity. Gestures such as nodding, maintaining eye contact and acknowledging their feelings in positive sentences allow you to pay respect to the person without ruining your mental health.
7. Please don’t judge
When someone around us is negative, we easily label the person as “negative” and easily discard his/her feelings. However, this can cause tension and misunderstanding. Instead, see and understand their problems and negativity as a reflection of their experiences and struggles. Stop passing your judgment and giving labels and focus on keeping up with your positive attitude.
