Stress is a common emotional and physical reaction to any form of pressure. Healthy and moderate stress levels can often be motivating. However, experiencing high levels of stress for prolonged periods can put mental, emotional, and physical strain on the body. Unique situations and different sources trigger each person's stress. Some people feel the most stressed when they worry about their financial security. Those who travel a lot for work might feel stressed because they lack stability. Someone who works in a fast-paced industry might struggle to keep up with their job's demands. However, one universal source of substantial stress is dealing with difficult or toxic individuals.

Frequent interaction with difficult individuals can trigger the release of stress hormones and set your fight-or-flight response into motion. Your overall well-being is bound to take a dive if you're constantly on edge. Spending as little as a few minutes with them can make you feel depleted and exhausted. These energy vampires can negatively affect your self-esteem and encourage the development or worsening of mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. The closer your relationship with the challenging person, the more severely you will be affected by their behaviors.