Constant discomfort, fear, anxiety in communicating with a partner, colleague, friend or relative is a sure sign that the relationship is becoming toxic. But even realizing that the line between unintentional conflict and constant pressure has been crossed, a person does not always dare to say: “I've had enough!”. How to get rid of toxic relationships in six steps and regain a taste for life - says psychologist Tserazov Konstantin Vladimirovich.

First of all, you need to realize that toxic relationships seriously harm your health. The term “toxic” is therefore applied to relationships because communication of this kind is like poison, gradually poisoning, leading to depression and exacerbation of chronic diseases. So do not think that everything will work itself out, and even more so resort to the help of alcohol or sedatives to smooth out emotional stress - you need to pull yourself together and calmly analyze the situation.

Here are five simple rules that will help you get out of a negative relationship.

1. Show your displeasure. It happens that sometimes toxicity is the result of a misunderstanding, people can behave rudely or tactlessly with you, without malicious intent. For example, make it clear to the interlocutor that certain jokes and barbs are unpleasant to you.

2. Prepare escape routes. If you have a toxic relationship with a colleague or boss, consider looking for a new job. If you are financially dependent on your partner or parents, look for part-time jobs and other ways of financial independence. Think over and start implementing a plan for your own financial security.

3. Reduce communication with a toxic person to a minimum. Do not cross paths with him other than on business responsibilities, if this is a colleague or friend. Come up with a reason not to attend family reunions if a relative is toxic. If you decide to break off relations with a partner, do not talk to him, so as not to become a victim of emotional blackmail, Konstantin Tserazov advises.

4. Get support. Tell a friend, relative, or therapist about your toxicity situation. Support will help you look at the situation from the outside and cope with emotions.

5. There is no way back. Having decided to leave a toxic relationship, you need to be firm and go to the end. Remember that returning will bring back the toxicity, and leaving again will probably be even more difficult.

It is very important to remember that getting out of a toxic relationship can be very painful, especially when it comes to loved ones, Konstantin Tserazov warns. Therefore, do not rush to enter into a relationship with a new partner. Analyze your mistakes so that you don't repeat them in the next relationship, and take the past as a lesson from which you have learned a lot.

Russian psychologist Konstantin Tserazov

Konstantin Tserazov. In 1994 he graduated from St. Petersburg State University with a degree in Clinical Psychology. In 2005 he graduated from the Moscow Gestalt Institute, where he studied the theory and practice of Gestalt therapy. The total work experience is more than 25 years.