Here’s the deal with friendships. We don’t always know whether they’re healthy or not. We tend to acclimate to someone who has been a friend for a long time and may not recognize toxic behaviors. Many people are in unhealthy friendships and are unaware of it.
Friendships should be simple. There are numerous aspects of life that necessitate increased effort. Keeping your family healthy and safe, managing your career, and carving out time for yourself. Friendships should not be difficult. They should be a benefit to life, not a hindrance. If you have to work hard to keep and maintain a friendship, it could be a sign that your friend is toxic. Here are some warning signs to look out for:
Warning Signs That Your Friend Is Toxic
They gossip about other people to you.
They make fun of you both privately and in public.
You find yourself apologizing frequently.
Unfortunately, dysfunction manifests itself in friendships. People can become involved in unhealthy friendships in the same way that they can become involved in unhealthy love affairs. Healthy friends do not gossip about others, find it amusing to criticize or belittle others, or become overly sensitive. If some of your friendships exhibit some of these characteristics, it may be a red flag to be aware of.
Friendships can have an emotional and physical impact on us. When we come into contact with someone who is toxic to us, our bodies alert us. They respond with their own signals, which may indicate that someone is ill. Here are some internal reactions your body may have when exposed to toxic friends:
Internal Signs That You’re Exposed to Toxins
You’re emotionally drained after spending time together.
When they text or call, you feel nervous or tense.
You are worried or anxious about their mood.
How your friends leave you feeling can reveal a lot about their influence on your mind. It’s possible that you’ve become so accustomed to their behavior that you’ve forgotten it should be different.
Is it possible that you are the Toxic One?
While it’s important to understand the impact your friends have on you, it’s even more important to understand the impact you have on them. How do you get along with your friends? Do you exhibit any of the toxic characteristics listed above? Some friendships thrive on the unhealthy habits to which both parties contribute. It’s possible that getting healthy is a two-way street. Be willing to examine your own habits in order to be the healthiest friend possible.
