Breaking Away From a Toxic Relationship - 3 Strategies For Success

Most people envision a successful relationship as one between two emotionally balanced individuals, that contributes to the health, happiness, and fulfillment of both parties. Unfortunately, there are relationships that have unhealthy and unbalanced dynamics present that prevent such a rewarding union. Many factors can contribute to a relationship being toxic for one or both parties - chronic infidelity, untreated addictions, and abuse of both a physical and emotional nature can be culprits - but it can be difficult for a victim to break away from a relationship with these behaviors because of the suppressed self esteem and feelings of worthlessness that often goes hand in hand with a toxic relationship. It becomes easy to believe that the abuser is right, that we are incompetent or inferior, and unlikely to be successful on our own. Here are 3 strategies for successfully breaking away from a relationship that is toxic:

1. Eat well, take vitamins and supplements, and exercise regularly. It may seem a strange place to start, but our emotional health is closely tied to our physical well being. Optimizing your physical health and supporting the structure that supports your brain function and emotional well being is important. Fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains are a good basis for most diets, and a food based multivitamin and fish oil is a helpful support. Cardiovascular exercise provides a huge benefit, as endorphins that are released help elevate mood. In addition, increased fitness and a better body image can improve self esteem.

2. Spend time around reprogrammers. These are friends and loved ones who are supportive, affirming, and help you gain a more accurate perspective on your worth and value as a person. Be aware that the toxic relationship has encouraged you to believe negative things about yourself, and that you need messages to the contrary to help overcome this effect.

3. Eliminate contact whenever possible with your toxic ex partner. Give yourself plenty of time and space to recover from your experience. If you must have contact because of children, etc., stick strictly to the business at hand. If your ex tries to steer the conversation to more personal matters and begins to draw you back again in to engaging, excuse yourself from the conversation and hang up or leave. You don't owe your ex the opportunity to criticize or put you down any further.

By the way, what is holding you back from making the best choices to achieve the life you deserve?

For a free copy of my ebook, "Strategies For Escaping Emotional Abuse", click here: http://www.stoptoxicrelationships.com/gifts-strategiesforescapingemotionalabuse.html

Shannon Cook is a personal coach and resource guide who has written a number of informative articles and ebooks on the topic of toxic relationships and "difficult" divorces, including the physical, emotional, practical and relationship components.