 There are toxic people all around us. They can be friends, family, co-workers, or even random strangers on the street. They sap our energy, make us feel inadequate, and can even be dangerous. There are, however, ways to shield yourself from their negativity and toxicity. We'll show you how in this video. Taking care of your own mental health is the first step in protecting yourself from toxic people. We are more vulnerable to the negative influence of others when we are stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed. Mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing exercises can all help to calm your mind and reduce stress. It is also critical to establish healthy boundaries. You are not required to tolerate rude, hurtful, or abusive behavior from anyone, regardless of who they are. You can decline invitations, avoid toxic conversations, and limit your contact with people who make you feel bad about yourself. It is acceptable to prioritize your own well-being. Another way to protect yourself from toxic people is to avoid their company. It's fine to leave if you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. You owe no explanation to anyone, and you have the right to prioritize your own safety and well-being. Seeking help from a trusted friend or loved one can be beneficial as well. We all need to vent, process our emotions, or get a reality check from someone we can rely on. It's critical to have people in your life who lift you up and encourage you, as well as those who can help you navigate difficult situations. Consider therapy to help you out. Therapy can help people identify harmful behaviors and come up with ways to avoid or deal with them. Therapy that builds self-esteem can also help people set limits, stand up for themselves, and build relationships with healthy people, which can protect them from toxic people. Finally, taking care of yourself can help you protect yourself from toxic people. Self-care looks different for everyone, but it can include things like getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. When you prioritize your own health, you are better able to deal with the negative influence of toxic people. Remember that you have the ability to shield yourself from toxic people by taking care of your own mental and physical health, setting healthy boundaries, removing yourself from toxic situations, seeking support, and practicing self-care. You can reclaim your power and live a more positive, fulfilling life. Thank you for taking the time to watch. If you found this video useful, please give it a thumbs up and share it with someone else who might find it useful as well. Hi, I'm Amy Golding, Director of Psychology for the Workplace Mental Health Institute. We hope you liked the video. If you did, make sure to give it a thumbs up. We have more and more videos being released each week, so when you subscribe, you'll get a notification letting you know when a new one's just been published. So make sure to hit that subscribe button and don't miss out on this vital information for yourself, your colleagues, and your loved ones.