How to Deal with Unhappy People

Don't allow unhappy people to bring you down with them.

If someone close to you seems unhappy a good deal of the time, you want to help but may not know how. Many times a negative or pessimistic attitude is simply someone's personality; there may be nothing you can do about it. To deal with these types of people, focus on yourself and not letting this person's mood get to you or bring you down, as both good and bad feelings tend to be contagious.

Instructions

1. Consider the reasons behind why the person is unhappy and see it from his perspective. Allow him to vent and explain the reasons for his mood; understanding helps you to better deal with his frequent negativity and depression.

2. Become the observer when you are dealing with unhappy people on a regular basis. Instead of acting upon it or trying to offer your advice, remain detached.

3. Avoid letting the unhappiness and pessimism of others get to you personally, causing you to become unhappy yourself. These negative emotions are contagious and may rub off on others, which only makes matters worse.

4. Encourage the unhappy person to see the positive, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. If he seems willing to lift his mood with your help, offer guidance and reassurance. Be supportive of him without being judgmental or condescending.

5. Decrease the amount of time you spend with unhappy people, if you feel it is affecting you in a negative way and you are unable to deal with these moods without becoming angry or frustrated. You may need to eliminate some of these people from your life completely; think about yourself and what is best for you.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid offering your advice unless it is requested; sometimes people just need to vent their frustrations.

References

• Think Simple Now: Dealing With Difficult People
• Life With Confidence; How to Deal With Negative People; Catherine Pratt