When was the last time you were around someone and felt your blood pressure spike? Maybe you thought you must constantly censor yourself around specific individuals, or you can’t be yourself. It’s not fun, is it? You are not alone in feeling the toxicity of people. It is a universal issue worldwide. There are millions of people dealing with unpleasant people and situations. Luckily, there are 13 ways to remain calm with people or when dealing with an unpleasant environment, both professionally and in your personal capacity.
Accept the differences
Accepting the individual difference is the most crucial way to remain calm with people. It’s essential to remember that not everyone, including your sibling, will share the same values, beliefs, or way of thinking. And that’s okay! What matters is that you can remain respectful and open-minded towards others, even if you don’t see eye-to-eye on everything.
Don’t take things personally
Some people are naturally difficult to get along with. It can be easy to take the behavior of difficult people personally. It does not mean there is something wrong with you. However, try to remember that it’s not about you. It’s about them and their own issues. You will be able to remain calm with people when you stop taking things personally.
Getting entangled in what other people think or say about you is easy. You just have to be aware that it is just their opinion. Therefore, learn to separate who they are from what they say. You don’t have to let their words define you or affect how you feel about yourself. Just try to be respectful and understanding, even if the other person isn’t making it easy. Just let it go and move on. If it gets hard for you then you can always consult a therapist.
Communicate assertively, not aggressively
Most people do not understand the difference between being assertive and being aggressive. When you’re proactive, you can express yourself clearly and confidently without putting down or attacking the other person. This strategy would enable you to remain calm with people. On the other hand, aggression is all about trying to control or hurt the other person. It is essential to objectively communicate in a way that doesn’t make the other person feel defensive or inferior.
Don’t try to please everyone
Remain calm with people does not mean that you have to become a people pleaser. People are different, and not everyone will admire you–no matter what you do or say. It’s okay to be yourself and not try to fit into someone else’s mold. Just focus on being the best version of yourself that you can be.
Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is the awareness of your present state of mind without judgment. Mindfulness means that you are in control of your emotions, which would help you to remain calm with people. It is about living in the here and now. If you are stressed out or overwhelmed, You become a prisoner of your own poor and fixed mindset; you start worrying about the future or dwelling on the past. However, suppose you can focus on staying in the present moment. In that case, it can help reduce stress and anxiety levels.
Focus on the positive
You choose your environment, whether it is positive or toxic. When you are around people who are stressed out, they will stress you out. The opposite is also true for remaining calm with people. Therefore, it can be easy to focus on negative things about them. If you can make an effort to focus on the positive, it can help you to see behavior and stuff in a more balanced light. It is easier said than done; you can do it.
The ME time
Take some time out of your busy schedule and invest it in yourself—even if it is just a few minutes. This will help you recharge and refocus to deal with difficult people more effectively. Maybe you can take a break to go for a walk, meditate, or read your favorite book. Do what pleases you. Once you start doing things to make yourself happy, you can remain calm with people.
Focus on the positive
It can be easier to focus on all of the negative qualities of difficult people; gossiping and spreading rumors about people could be fun. Unless someone start doing the same thing to you. Therefore, focus on the positive for remaining calm with people. When you try to see the good in other people, it can help you to deal with them more effectively. Everyone has some interest in them – even the most challenging person. Try to find it and focus on that.
Empathize with them
It can be helpful to feel and see things from the perspective of a problematic person. If you can, you will understand why they have been acting that way and what they are going through in their life. Understanding their perspective can help you to have more compassion for them, even if their behavior is still frustrating.
Walk away if you need to
Walk away if you feel the situation is getting out of control, or you might lose control of your emotions and feelings. You will not be timid or a weak person if you decide to walk away. Although it can be a difficult path to take. Nonetheless, it will be wise to walk away and lose your temper. You can always finish the conversation later when you are in the right state of mind.
Ignore them if possible
If a problematic person becomes a pain in your neck, the ideal thing would be to simply ignore them. Suppose they are not actually doing anything harmful. In that case, it may be best to just let them rant and rave without giving them the attention they want. Sometimes, ignoring toxic people is the best way to deal with the situation. Ignoring them also means you respect and value your positivity and will not succumb to their level.
Set boundaries
It’s important to set boundaries with difficult people. Let them know what you will and will not tolerate. This would help you to prevent them from crossing the line and making the situation worse. If they cross the line and you feel vulnerable or hurt, confront them or seek guidance from a counselor.
Professional help
Finding someone to vent to about an awkward person can be helpful. This can help you get your frustration and anger out without taking it out on the person. Also, venting would empower you to remain calm with people. Just ensure you’re not venting to someone who will then go and rat you out to that toxic person about what you said.
Following these healthy tips can help you to remain calm with people, even when it feels like they’re pushing all of your buttons. Remember that everyone is different and that being yourself is okay. Be assertive, practice mindfulness, and don’t take things personally. If you can do these things, you’ll be able to remain calm in any situation.
