Being around someone difficult can be emotionally draining and take a toll on your mental health. Self-care is an effective way to combat this.
Emotional self-care can help you better understand yourself, develop empathy and learn to manage difficult emotions. Read on to discover more.
1. Be Mindful of Your Own Needs
One of the most crucial strategies you can employ when dealing with difficult personalities is being mindful of your own needs. Doing this will enable you to remain peaceful and composed no matter what situation arises.
As part of your personal care routine, it is essential that you are eating healthily, sleeping soundly and engaging in activities which promote emotional wellbeing. This is particularly crucial when working with difficult individuals as it will prevent you from becoming overwhelmed or stressed out.
One way to be mindful of your own needs is through meditation in everyday life. Indeed, mindfulness practices are becoming more widely utilized in workplaces than ever before – for instance, SAP launched a pilot program for employees in 2013 that included meditations during working hours and an eight-week mindfulness challenge.
This program has been incredibly successful, helping over 6,000 employees around the world improve their wellbeing. In addition to meditations, participants also took part in trainings that focused on compassion and mindfulness.
Many times, people who appear difficult are doing so because of a particular struggle in their lives. By understanding these struggles, you can better comprehend them and provide assistance when necessary.
When someone you care about is struggling for whatever reason, you should be more than willing to support their efforts to overcome the difficulty. This could include providing them with information, resources or even referrals to a therapist or support group.
No matter the situation, people will surely appreciate your assistance. The quicker you can identify and address the source of a difficult person’s issue, the quicker they’ll be able to find resolution.
2. Take Some Alone Time
When dealing with difficult personalities, it’s essential to take some time out for yourself and reflect. This can be done through meditation, reading a book, or getting some exercise – whatever you choose make sure it brings joy rather than boredom. Whatever you choose do ensure it feels enjoyable rather than like an obligation.
One additional benefit of spending some alone time is that it allows you to get to know yourself better. Without the influence of others, you’ll gain insight into your feelings, interests, and objectives.
Understanding your priorities in life and what makes you content will enable you to lead a happier life. Furthermore, it will strengthen the bonds with those around you.
If you’re struggling at work with someone at your workplace, taking some time out for yourself can be a beneficial way to relax and process your feelings. Plus, having some solitude allows for creative solutions and thoughts about how things could be improved in the situation.
Additionally, you can spend time learning about topics that excite you. This is an excellent opportunity to broaden your horizons and experiment with various forms of self-expression.
For those prone to anxiety or depression, having some alone time can be especially beneficial. With no one else around to judge you, you can focus on yourself and what’s going on in your life without feeling judged or judged.
As you can see, taking time for yourself has many benefits. Just remember to listen to that inner voice and don’t ignore it – you won’t regret it! Alone time is essential for mental health and will benefit all areas of life.
3. Remain Calm
When dealing with difficult people, it is essential to stay calm. Doing this prevents negative emotions from taking over and can lead to better work performance, productivity levels and a happier workplace environment.
There is no single approach to managing difficult people, as every situation differs. But by employing certain strategies, you can reduce their power over you and find peace in your workplace, home life and other interpersonal relationships.
Sometimes, challenging personalities may simply be trying to protect themselves. They could be going through a difficult period in their lives or feeling frustrated with something they’re doing. Either way, it is essential that you listen intently and comprehend their perspective.
Sometimes, it can be tempting to become frustrated with someone when they act this way. However, if you remain calm, it will be much easier for you to recognize their valid points and assist them in moving forward.
If you’re tempted to shout or use rude language, remember that these actions only serve to worsen the situation. Instead, take a deep breath and say something positive about them; this will demonstrate your genuine interest in them and their opinion, making working with them much smoother in the future.
Another way to remain calm when dealing with difficult people is through mindfulness techniques. This involves stopping and taking inventory of your thoughts when you start feeling overwhelmed or out of control, then refocusing on the present moment.
Finally, never hesitate to ask for assistance from others if you require it. Reaching out for a friend or colleague can be an effective way to deal with difficult people because it gives you someone else to turn to and also helps maintain a healthy professional-life balance.
4. Don’t Participate in Disagreements
When disagreement or conflict arises at work, it’s essential to avoid getting involved. Instead, focus on solving the problem and ensuring all team members are contented.
In the workplace, people often get into arguments and conflicts due to misunderstands or misinterpretations. Spending time listening and conversing with others can help minimize these chances of conflict from starting in the first place.
You can use this time to identify any personal issues the difficult person is struggling with. If so, it’s essential to address them and see if they are willing to change.
If this isn’t feasible, it may be best to just leave. Doing so will enable you to move on more effectively from the situation and eliminate having to deal with their behavior again.
Another option is to escalate the matter with your manager. While this may seem like a step backwards, it’s often the best way to get the issue addressed.
It’s essential to recognize that confronting a difficult person may not always be worth the stress it causes. This may occur if you rarely interact with them or if they will soon leave your team.
According to Daniel Lesser, co-author of The Healthy Workplace, it’s usually more beneficial to approach disagreements or disputes with curiosity rather than anger and resentment. By asking questions instead of blaming, you can gain a more objective perspective on the situation and help build trust in your relationship with the difficult person.
It is essential to remember that even when dealing with someone difficult, you remain a human being. That is why taking care of yourself when dealing with an aggressive personality is so crucial.
5. Don’t Demand Change
You may feel the urge to demand change when faced with a difficult person, and this can be especially challenging if they are someone whom you trust. However, sometimes the best course of action is the most difficult option.
Demanding change can be challenging to implement and may exacerbate an already challenging person’s issues. In the long run, this could lead to increased stress and decreased productivity levels.
Instead, it is best to seek a compromise that benefits both parties. This usually entails asking the difficult person to reconsider their decision and factor in any relevant past experiences.
Finding the root of an issue is paramount, so make sure to invest the effort. You can do this through open communication, a supportive ear or by being willing to share your own thoughts and feelings.
If you can’t reach a satisfactory resolution in the relationship, it may be time to end it altogether. This can be especially challenging when the difficult person is close friends or family member; however, cutting ties with someone who’s toxic and abusive toward you is also possible.
Toxic people defy logic and cause unnecessary distress, tension, and worry. Furthermore, they often disregard their effects on others.
Sometimes, all it takes is a straightforward conversation about how someone’s behavior impacts you. You might also need to involve other people in the discussion, such as coworkers or managers.
You can use tactics such as gentle humor or subtle sarcasm to express your feelings. If you have a good relationship with the difficult person, this could be an effective way to open the conversation and encourage them to make changes in their behavior.
