Toxic people are everywhere.

At work. In your neighbourhood. Even online.

There is no way to avoid toxic people altogether, so you have to learn how to prevent them from getting under your skin.

Here are 5 ways you may find useful

✅ Take a deep breath and count to 10
Studies show that a deep breath can alter neurochemistry sufficiently to prevent emotional hijack.

✅ Don't React, Respond.
It is possible to train yourself to stop reacting mindlessly, and to respond thoughtfully - even in the face of grave provocation.

✅ Take a View from the Balcony
Sometimes it is useful to zoom out from the immediate situation and look at the larger context

✅ Look Within
You didn't start the fire, but is there some way you are fuelling the flames?

✅ Be Curious
If you can avoid reacting, and instead use your curiosity to ask questions, even something as simple as "Could you please tell me what happened?", you might be able to shift the focus away from the emotion to the issue underlying it.

You may not always be able to avoid interacting with toxic people, but there are ways in which you can reduce the impact of their toxicity on yourself.