How to Handle DIFFICULT People

Some people are hard to handle. But unfortunately, they rarely recognize they’re difcult to deal with, so they don’t increase their social skills and improve their relationships.

Occasionally, you must spend time with someone you fnd difcult. Perhaps you dread being with them, but they are family members, your boss, or someone else you see regularly. Tese tips will help you navigate these hardto-handle relationships.

Change the way you think

If you want to cope well with someone you fnd difcult, the frst step is to change how you think. When you consider somebody a problem, recall the adage, “it takes two to tango.” Anyone in a toxic relationship is part of the dance. Tey play their role in keeping the connection afoat.

When you take responsibility for the way you interact in a problematic relationship, you gain the power to make positive changes. Your power comes from recognizing you can be an efective agent of change.

One helpful way to deal with disagreeable relationships is to set boundaries. Yet, there’s a good chance you haven’t done so, which is why coping is tough.

Examine why you haven’t made boundaries

Look within and fnd out why you haven’t set boundaries. Tese suggestions might help:

You think you’re being kind

Do you believe engaging with a difcult person is kinder than setting boundaries? If so, think again. Kind relationships involve parameters. Just look at how loving parents raise their children. Tey understand it’s vital to teach their broods healthy behaviors by creating boundaries. Tis protective measure aids maturity and safety.

Healthy adult relationships have boundaries too. For example, it’s your call to decline requests for your time and energy when doing so safeguards your well-being. If you see somebody as problematic because they always seem to want something from you, practicing saying “no” will help.

You don’t recognize your value

Low self-esteem can make you vulnerable in relationships with difcult people. Tey might fnd your unassertiveness advantageous. So note your time and energy are valuable. When you appreciate your worth, you’ll see there’s no need to prioritize difcult people’s wishes over your needs.

Treat yourself like your best friend. You wouldn’t recommend they sacrifce their well-being to somebody who takes advantage of them or leaves them exhausted, would you?

You freeze rather than fght or fee when stress knocks

Doubtless, you’ve heard of the phrase “fght-or-fight” to describe how people respond to fear. Te complete term, however, is “fght, freeze, or fight.” Like a rabbit caught in headlights, you might feel as though you’re immobilized when confronted by individuals who make your life difcult.

You can change your response with practice. But it’s more benefcial to uncover why you are fearful. When you do, your reaction to difcult people will alter on autopilot.

Your stress reaction may stem from childhood. Was it safest to sit tight and be quiet when a family row ensued, for instance? Were you praised for being good when you were unassertive? If so, seeing where your behavior comes from may be enough to help you change.

How to use boundaries

People don’t always have a problem thinking of boundaries to set, but they may need assistance to implement them. Tese tips will help:

Honesty

Use honesty to reclaim an uncomfortable yet valuable relationship. Complex relationships aren’t necessarily bad. Some have redeemable features. For example, if you care for someone who leeches your energy unless you just feel sorry for them, you get something from the association other than only lethargy and irritation. In this case, it’s worth saving your connection using an honest, assertive plea.

“I value our relationship. But I panic when I see you coming because we always talk about stressful topics, and I want to talk about positive things.” Such a plea can highlight their efect on you and make them change. Or it may not. Either way, asserting your boundary is positive. Tey will comply or move out of your life.

Support

If you have trouble being assertive around a hardto-handle person, gain support from a wise, positive individual. A therapist or a sage-like friend or family member can help you gain clarity about a problematic relationship and see how to make changes. Tey can provide a fresh perspective, give you courage, and assist you in framing how to talk to someone you fnd difcult.

Withdrawal

You may beneft from ending a relationship with a difcult person or reducing contact as a last resort; unfortunately, some relationships are toxic, even when you try to change them. If someone drains your wellbeing and refuses to stop, having them in your life is not healthy. You’re not selfsh if you don’t see them anymore; you’re emotionally responsible.

Most of the time, difcult people don’t intend to harm you. Instead, they want to ofoad negativity and feel better. Or they want help and don’t recognize when they ask too much of you. But it’s not healthy to be at their beck and call. So, identify what’s stopped you from being assertive and changing your relationship. What you learn will expand your self-awareness and help you change.

Telltale Signs

Water is one of the most important elements in your body. It helps digest food and transport vital substances throughout your body. Water also helps maintain a normal body temperature and a healthy environment within cells. In fact, almost 60% of your make-up is water. To say you need to drink enough is an understatement. But how do you know if you’re meeting your body’s water requirements? Here are some signs that you aren’t drinking enough water:

You’re exhausted

If you’re feeling tired, dehydration may be the reason. Dehydration can lead to fatigue in several ways. First,

YOU’RE NOT DRINKING ENOUGH WATER

dehydration concentrates the fuid in your bloodstream, making it more difcult for the heart to pump blood efectively. Tis can lead to a decrease in oxygen and nutrients delivered to the body’s cells, which can cause fatigue.

Dehydration can also afect your body’s electrolyte balance. Electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, are important for maintaining the body’s fuid balance and proper muscle and nerve function. When your body is dehydrated, the levels of these electrolytes can become imbalanced, leading to fatigue.

If you are experiencing fatigue and think it may be due to dehydration, try increasing your fuid intake and see if it helps. If not, check with your doctor and make sure there’s no medical reason for your exhaustion.

Your urine is dark in color

Another sign that you’re not drinking enough water is dark yellow or cloudy urine. When your body’s dehydrated, your urine becomes more concentrated and looks darker. Terefore, urine color can be a good indicator of your hydration status. If your urine is paleyellow or lighter, it’s a sign that you are well-hydrated. On the other hand, if your urine is dark yellow or amber, it may indicate that you are dehydrated and need to drink more fuids.

Your mouth is dry

Dry mouth is a common sign of dehydration. Dry mouth is a common symptom of dehydration because your body needs sufcient fuids to produce saliva to moisten your mouth and throat. Without adequate saliva, it’s harder to swallow or speak. Saliva also helps neutralize acid in the mouth and protect the teeth from decay.

When you’re dehydrated, saliva production dwindles, which can cause your mouth to feel dry and uncomfortable. Dry mouth can also lead to other problems, such as bad breath and gum disease. Remember that other things can cause a dry mouth, including medications, autoimmune conditions, and aging. Talk to your doctor if a dry mouth persists.

You have headaches

A mild headache is one of the most common symptoms of dehydration. When you’re dehydrated, the volume of fuid in your brain contracts. Tis causes the blood vessels in the brain to constrict, leading to a headache. Of course, headaches have a variety of causes. If drinking more water doesn’t resolve a headache, or if they don’t decrease in frequency, see your healthcare provider.

Your mood is ‘blah,’ and you’re not motivated

A study by the University of Connecticut’s Human Performance Laboratory found that even mild dehydration can negatively afect mood and cause irritability, fatigue, and difculty concentrating. When you’re dehydrated, your body doesn’t have enough fuids to function properly, which can afect your ability to think and your motivation.

A study found that people who increased their water intake felt less anxious and more content than when they let their water intake decline. So, if you’re not feeling motivated and a bit “down,” try drinking more water.

Conclusion

It’s important to drink sufcient water and stay hydrated. Also, consider other ways to stay hydrated, such as by eating fruits and vegetables that contain a lot of water. General recommendations are to drink at least eight cups (64 ounces) of water per day to maintain proper hydration. However, the exact amount you need may vary depending on your age, sex, weight, and activity level.

Here are a few factors that can afect your water needs:

• Age: Older adults tend to have a lower thirst sensation and may not feel as thirsty as younger adults. Tey need to be more mindful of their fuid intake.

• Gender: Men generally need more fuids than women, due to their typically larger size and muscle mass.

• Weight: Heavier individuals generally need more fuids than lighter individuals.

• Activity level: If you are physically active or exercising, you will need to drink more fuids to replace the fuids lost through sweat.

• Climate: If you are in a hot or humid environment, you will need to drink more fuids to compensate for the fuids lost through sweat.

Pay attention to your body’s thirst signals, and drink fuids as needed to maintain proper hydration. If you are experiencing thirst, fatigue, dry mouth, or a down mood, drink fuids and rehydrate as soon as possible. Even better, drink throughout the day so your body doesn’t become dehydrated in the frst place.

References:

LeWine HE. Can dehydration cause headaches? - Harvard Health. Harvard Health. Published March 2022. Accessed December 25, 2022. .health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/candehydration-cause-headaches

Dehydration Headache: Dehydration Symptoms & Types of Headaches. Cleveland Clinic. Published 2021. Accessed December 25, 2022. my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21517dehydration-headache

Poitras C. Even Mild Dehydration Can Alter Mood - UConn Today. UConn Today. Published February 21, 2012. Accessed December 25, 2022. today.uconn.edu/2012/02/even-milddehydration-can-alter-mood/

Pross N, Demazières A, Girard N, Barnouin R, Metzger D, Klein A, Perrier E, Guelinckx I. Efects of changes in water intake on mood of high and low drinkers. PLoS One. 2014 Apr11;9(4):e94754. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094754. PMID: 24728141; PMCIDPMC3984246.