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It feels like if your life is being drained slowly and there is nothing you can do about it. At least that’s what it feels like to me when I’m around negative people for too long. Let’s face it, negativity can be a drain! But even worse it can rub off on you and even start a downward spiral that can be leading you into depression. You can’t live in isolation. Many times these negative people are the individuals you have to work with or interact with regularly….or even worse see them at family reunions. Yes, it’s you, Aunt Margaret, …sorry!

So what can you do about negative people? Well, first of all, take a deep breath and remember those good friends are god’s way of apologizing for your relatives…and negative people. Then follow the advice below to minimize the effect of negative people in your life. Here are four ways to avoid the life-draining, kryptonite-like influence of negative individuals.

Be grateful more often

Yes, gratitude is a powerful secret weapon against negativity. It makes you feel good, and when you are feeling good it’s tough to feel bad! Even when you are around individuals that drain you. It’s a cumulative effect and builds up. Once you learn to be grateful more often you’ll find that your negativity struggles to cope with your new-found gratitude. A great way to be more grateful is to simply just say “thank you” more often (Ideally out loud but at least in your head at first).

What if I can’t find anything to be thankful for?

Really! Be thankful for this great article, then be thankful for the basics – the air you’re breathing, the clothes you’re wearing, that great sunset, anything!

If you want to kick up the gratitude express into high gear, try keeping a gratitude journal and write down at least three things that have happened during the day that you’re grateful for. This is great to do at night. It will help relax you and put your mind in the right place to sleep and catch some great ZZZzz’s.

Get more exercise

Exercise releases endorphins into your body. Endorphins are the natural “feel good” chemicals that your brain releases when you exercise. They are a natural pain and stress reliever and act faster, better and are safer than any drug (prescription or otherwise). Your body generates these chemicals when you exercise, at no charge. Wow!

Exercise doesn’t have to mean going to the gym or pool or even jogging. A brisk walk will do, or try taking the stairs at work today.

Eat healthily

It’s not about comfort food, because comfort food is often anything but comforting. It may be something you eat that gives you a quick sugar high, but that’s soon followed by the negative side of eating food that’s not exactly healthy. Yes, remember you at the couch after Thanksgiving! Try to cut down on excess sugars, and caffeine. Gradually is the keyword when it comes to cutting down on the caffeine (it’s not a good idea to remove caffeine from your diet in one swoop).

More importantly, start to make slightly healthier choices when you eat – If you start to add good things to your diet, you will start to crown out the bad ones. This means reading the labels. A good rule is to avoid eating foods where you don’t understand what several of the ingredients are. In other words, if you would not add it to a recipe at home then don’t buy it. If you don’t keep high fructose corn syrup, or its artificial partner aspartame in your kitchen, don’t buy products with them in.

Hypnotize yourself (sort of)

Negativity isn’t something you’ve chosen to do. It’s usually a reaction to something or someone! It’s something your subconscious mind has developed as a protection mechanism for you. And – just as you can’t tell your nails to stop growing – it’s not easy to remove negativity or depression at a conscious level.

Hypnosis works by working with your subconscious mind to subtly change your behaviour and reduce the negativity in your life. It’s easy – all you do is listen to a hypnosis recording (easier and more flexible than visiting a hypnotist) and let it work its magic. If hypnosis is too weird for you (it was for me), try a milder form of hypnotism, meditation. Meditation is a great way to reduce stress and negativity. The benefits are scientifically proven and it is easy to do.

For more information on meditation and breaking the negativity habits, visit www.UltimateSuccessFactor.com There are many free resources available to help you get started on your success journey!

Try our FREE Success Quiz and find out what your success superpower is! Click here

About the Author: Antonio Marquez, M.S.

Antonio Marquez runs an independent consulting firm that focuses on helping companies and individuals succeed in life. His passion is helping people reach their goals and breakthrough their limitations. Antonio does not teach from theory as most consultants do, but rather from experience. For the last 15 years, he has run a multi-million dollar medical practice all while being engaged in multiple business ventures, with a full social schedule and a fulfilling family life. He not only teaches productivity and success, but he also lives it.