7 Practical Techniques For Dealing With Toxic People

In today’s society, interactions with toxic people are almost impossible to avoid. However, learning how to deal with them effectively is essential to improve our mental and emotional well-being. This article will explore seven practical techniques to help you navigate challenging situations with toxic individuals.

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THE IMPACT OF TOXIC PEOPLE ON OUR LIVES

Whether it is a coworker, family member, or friend, we have all encountered individuals who seem to bring negativity and drama into our lives.

Their impact on us can be significant. It is not just a matter of feeling stressed or annoyed in their presence; it also causes us to question our self-worth and abilities, damages our mental health, and even leads to physical health problems.

Negative interactions with toxic people can trigger anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Also, they lead to physical symptoms like high blood pressure or chronic pain.

IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING TO DEAL WITH TOXIC PEOPLE

Learning how to deal with toxic people can be significant. If left unchecked, toxic individuals can harm our overall health.

We can take control of our interactions and prevent them from causing long-term harm by learning effective techniques.

They can help us build stronger relationships with others, improve our communication skills, and boost our self-confidence.

7 PRACTICAL TECHNIQUES FOR DEALING WITH TOXIC PEOPLE

THE BLOW-THE-TENSION TECHNIQUE

Have you ever been ticked off by a toxic person’s actions or words?

You know, that feeling when your adrenaline starts to flow, your heart starts racing, your face gets all red, and your head starts pounding?

It is like you are holding your breath, and it is tough to chill out in that state.

The blow-the-tension technique can help you get oxygen in a controlled way and help your body return to a balanced state and function properly.

• Breathe deep through your nostrils until you count to four while thinking about the person who upset or made you angry.
• Hold your breath until you count to two while thinking about that person.
• Next, exhale as hard as you can through your mouth while visualizing that you are expelling that person from your system. Do this until you have completely emptied your lungs of air.
• Stop and do not breathe for two seconds.
• After, take a big breath through your nostrils and exhale through your mouth calmly.
• You can repeat the previous steps until you feel you have expelled your anger toward that person.

This technique not only helps you release the tension and calm down, but it can also help you think before reacting, which can prevent you from saying something you will regret.

It can even help you feel more composed when you start speaking by controlling the rhythm of your words so you do not talk too fast or stumble.

So, whenever you feel provoked by a toxic person, try this technique to blow up all your tension and frustrations.

THE HUMOR-BASED TECHNIQUE

Releasing tension and using humor to defuse a potentially toxic situation sometimes go hand in hand.

It may not always be appropriate but it can effectively disperse negative situations and foster positive interactions when used in the correct context.

Have you ever had a case where you came up with a great response to a mean comment, but it was already too late?

Or maybe, in your head, you have replayed a situation and wished you had said something different.

It is not uncommon for people to think of clever comebacks long after the moment has passed. However, using The Humor-Based Technique can help you quickly respond and make yourself laugh.

Think of saying something funny while you do the Blow-The-Tension Technique. It does not have to be the most clever thing for toxic people as long as it makes you chuckle.

Goof on them, play with their mind, and amuse yourself while you are doing it. This technique will help you boost your self-esteem and impress others with your wit.

Now, I do not recommend using sarcastic or mean humor, but in some cases, you may need to fight back against someone toxic toward you.

Below, I leave you some amusing comebacks that you can use in an appropriate context:

• Don’t you ever get tired of having yourself around?
• You are a little hard to digest. I don’t know how I don’t choke.
• How poisonous you are, be careful not to bite yourself.
• I don’t know what I would do without your criticism.
• I never forget a face, yet I will make an effort with you.
• As long as you keep talking, I know you are not thinking.
• As I see, you have a low class.

Using these comebacks as a response could shock the interlocutor but definitively show them how silly their behavior is.

So, next time you feel stressed or angry because of a toxic situation, try using the humor-based technique to lighten your mood and have a laugh!

THE MIRROR TECHNIQUE

The Mirror Technique is a non-confrontational and gentle approach to help toxic people understand the impact of their behavior on others.

Sometimes, they need to see themselves from another person’s perspective to know how they are being disagreeable.

Instead of getting angry or confronting them, you reflect on their actions and words, creating a mirror image of their behavior so they can see themselves as others see them.

This reflection can be an eye-opening experience that helps individuals become more self-aware and recognize how their behavior negatively affects others.

Here are a few examples of how you can use The Mirror Technique with toxic people:

• Acknowledge their feelings: If a toxic person is aggressive or confrontational, try reflecting their emotions to them. For example, you might say, “I can see that you are feeling angry right now.” This can help them feel heard and validated and may defuse the situation.
• Clarify their statements: Sometimes, toxic people may make confusing or contradictory statements, so you can use The Mirror Technique to clarify what they are saying. For example, you might say, “So, if I understand you correctly, you are saying you are upset because you feel like I am not listening to you?”
• Repeat their words: If a toxic person is being accusatory or blaming, you can use The Mirror Technique to repeat their words back to them. For example, you might say, “So, you are saying it is all my fault?” This can help to bring attention to their behavior and encourage them to take responsibility for their actions.
• Use Assertive communication: Convey your message clearly and firmly while respecting them by adopting a firm tone of voice to express your boundaries or a calm and neutral one when repeating their words. This can help keep the conversation clear and on track and prevent it from escalating into a heated argument by promoting positive interaction.

Remember, The Mirror Technique is all about reflecting on the other person’s words or behavior in a way that helps them see their actions more clearly, not about mirroring their negative behavior.

THE CLOSED QUESTIONING TECHNIQUE

The Closed Questioning Technique is like being a lawyer in a courtroom, asking yes or no questions to make your point.

The idea is to calmly lead the person through a logical progression of questions that help them see how ridiculous their ideas or comments might be.

With this technique, you must stay in control and not let your emotions take over. You want to guide the person through the questions in a way that helps them explore their feelings and think about the implications of what they are saying.

If you do it well, you can change their way of thinking by presenting another viewpoint based on the questions they have to answer. By working out answers together, the person becomes an active part of the communication process.

The Closed Questioning Technique is effective because it helps you learn more about a person or situation or tells the real story.

THE CONFRONTATION TECHNIQUE

Sometimes, when people make hurtful or cutting remarks it is challenging to respond with humor or wit. That’s where the Confrontation Technique proves useful!

It is all about boldly telling the person how you feel about what they said or did. Using this technique shows others you have enough self-respect not to be a victim.

When confronting them, project your voice and speak with a modulated pitch, tone, or volume to show that you are confident in what you are saying.

The Confrontation Technique is a great way to let others know that you are onto their games and would not let them sneakily stab you in the back. They have to confront you directly if they want to mess with you! So don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and speak your truth.

THE KINDNESS TECHNIQUE

Toxic people can be a drag, but did you know their behavior is often rooted in low self-esteem and insecurity?

They may have been hurt in the past or not received enough love. So, what is the best way to deal with them? Believe it or not, it is through understanding, love, and kindness.

I know it is hard to be nice to someone rude, especially when your first instinct might be to back off or give them a taste of their own medicine.

No matter how nasty the person is to you, stay cool, calm, and collected. Speak in a friendly, soothing tone and keep a smile on your face.

Even if it is not easy, remember that the toxic person is probably in pain and needs love and kindness more than anything.

Even though it is hard to believe, this technique works wonders. You might see the person’s tone soften, their body language relax, and they might even start saying nice things back to you.

It is all about showing them you are on their side and that you are not the enemy. So, next time you encounter a toxic person, try giving them a little pat on the back instead of a kick in the pants. You might be surprised at the results!

THE UNLINKED TECHNIQUE

Sometimes, you may encounter people who are too toxic to handle, no matter what you try. When that happens, it is time to use the Unlinked Technique.

This technique is reserved for those who are seriously toxic. With whom you have tried everything else, but nothing seems to work.

Visualize yourself becoming unlinked from them. Let go of all your emotions, good or bad. Just release them from your life and don’t look back.

You don’t wish them hell or well. You just let them go and move on.

The Unlinked Technique does not necessarily mean that you dislike the person. It may be because you care for them that you need to disconnect.

It is like tough love, where you set boundaries and allow them to handle their situation. This way, you don’t become codependent on their toxic behavior.

Remember, toxic people can drain your energy and make you miserable. So, it is okay to let them go and focus on yourself. Using the Unlinked Technique, you can protect yourself from their negative influence and move on to a healthier and happier spot in your life.

RECAP

Dealing with toxic people can be challenging, but employing the seven practical techniques can help you handle the situations more smoothly.

Try the Blow-the-Tension Technique to defuse the tension and frustrations. When you want to maintain a positive outlook, consider using the Humor-Based Technique.

The Mirror Technique can help toxic individuals see the impact of their behavior, and the Closed Questioning Technique can help you gain control of the conversation.

The Confrontation Technique helps you address issues head-on, while the Kindness Technique shows compassion and empathy.

Finally, use the Unlinked Technique to detach from toxic individuals and their behavior.

It is essential to remember that different situations require different techniques. What works with one toxic typology may not work with another.

In this case, you must be flexible and willing to adjust your approach to find what works best for each situation.

EXPLORE MORE:

What is a Toxic Person – Identify 9 Typologies and Cope with Their Toxicity

BOTTOM LINE

Have you ever dealt with a toxic person?

Did you use any of the techniques we discussed?

I would love to hear about your experiences and how you handled them. Leave a comment below and share your insights. Your feedback could be a game-changer for someone who deals with a toxic situation.

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Till next time…

Toxic people are like a stormy sea, but you can weather any storm with a strong anchor.

Diana O. Debreczeni

Founder of Dare & Be.

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