Toxic relationships affect your well-being this way

In the previous blog post, we talked about how to heal from toxic relationships, which you can read more about here.

If you are still not sure that you are ready to cut those people off from your life and move on, this article may wake you up - this is how toxic relationships affect your overall well-being. 

Anyone that surrounds you can be toxic to you, either we're talking about a romantic partner, family member, friend, or coworker, the negative effects can seep into every aspect of your life.

If you don't want to feel all those negative consequences anymore, you surely know that it is the time for change. 

How these negative people affect you? Here's our list:

1. An incredibly increased amount of stress and anxiety on a daily basis. The worst thing about this is that they will create a problem out of nowhere, so you will find yourself in a constant state of stress, fear, and confusion. Frequent conflicts will become very exhausting. 

After a longer or sometimes even shorter period of time, you may start to experience insomnia, headaches, digestive issues, and weakened immune function. When you hang out with them, you'll feel exhausted later. 

2. The problem with your self-esteem. Constant criticism and feeling you are under the radar 24/7 will leave a huge impact on your self image. If you don't surround yourself with truly good and kind people who want the best for you, there will come the days when you will even start to rethink your own capabilities. 

3. Depression. It's no wonder that the depression is always a part of a toxic relationship. Many say that they feel trapped with those people, experiencing a sense of hopelessness, emotional numbness, and persistent sadness. What I came to realize from my own experience is that toxic people will especially hunt you when you are vulnerable - in the grieving process, for example. 

4. Losing trust. With time, you will find it hard to trust literally anyone.  Manipulation and betrayal can create a fear of vulnerability and a reluctance to open up to new people. Social withdrawal and loneliness are common. Don't let this discourage you - you are perfectly capable of creating new and healthy relationships with others, just give yourself time to heal.

5. Codependency. Some may even become overly reliant on the toxic individual for validation and identity. For such people, it may be a bit harder to break the toxic circle and get rid of that person from your life. But don't worry, you can still do it - everyone can do it, you just need to realize what's happening in this toxic relationship first.

+ Do you visit your doctor more often? Believe it or not, unhealthy relationships can bring health issues to your life, including high blood pressure, heart diseases of different sorts, digestive disorders we've already mentioned, and weakened immunity which will give you frequent colds. Your body is literally telling you that they are toxic for you by being sick. 

Overeating, substance abuse, or self-harm are common as well. 

Let's remind ourselves what it takes to leave the toxic relationship once and for all:

1. Recognizing the toxicity. 

2. Setting healthy and clear boundaries and going no contact when needed.  

3. Seeking support by leaning on trusted friends, family members, or professional counselors.

4. Practicing self-care and working on yourself and recovery from a traumatic relationship. 

5. Staying on the right track - not returning to that relationship.