Surviving a Toxic Environment with Mindfulness

It could be that something has changed in your life and not for the better. Perhaps it’s your home life or it could be your work that has shifted. Something you previously enjoyed has changed into something toxic and stressful or even harmful to your emotional well-being

If this is the case all is not lost. Firstly, don’t jump. This is certainly something I’ve done in the past. I’ve voted with my feet as it were. There can be times when this is the best strategy, however, more likely than not, it will be far better to make a plan before that jump! Leaping without first making a plan can increase our stress levels as we will potentially be making matters worse. At least for awhile anyway.

This is where mindfulness comes into play. Now don’t get me wrong. I understand that the ability to remain calm and non-judgemental in stressful situations can be a challenge. Even now after years of study I still find myself spiralling out of control in reaction to the behaviour of others. Out of control that is, until I remember.

I remind myself to cease judgement of the situation, to breath, and bring my mind back into the present. Time and time again I will need to do this and the result is a marvel.

The results are marvellous because within the space I’ve created with mindfulness, I’m able to recognise how toxic the environment is, and the effects it’s having on my mind. I then see the importance of making a plan to remove myself from toxicity in a controlled manner.

There is no need to jump from the frying pan into the fire when you have mindfulness

What we actually achieve with mindfulness is a level of control over the self that is no doubt lacking in those around us. This control automatically awards us power. That’s right, with mindfulness we have the power to choose where we want to go, and how we do it. We have the power with mindfulness to step back from situations – remove ourselves from the influence of toxic people – and properly asses what we must do to improve the quality of our lives.