A small amount of jealousy is a normal reaction to many situations.
However, even in small amounts, it can be a toxic emotion, and anything more than that can be extremely so.
Jealousy has many roots, none of which are good, but there are some ways you can keep it from poisoning your mind and your relationships.
Before dealing with jealousy, you will need to understand it.
When you feel a little bit jealous of your friend's new car, that could be rooted in confusion over your priorities.
Maybe you could have that car if you weren't saving for a house, but when you remember that the house is more important to you, the jealousy will probably disappear.
Confusion is probably the least destructive of jealousy's roots.
Others include insecurity and a lack of trust or faith.
These are generally issues that run very deep, and can ruin one relationship after another if not addressed.
The only way jealous behavior can really change is if the person exhibiting it recognizes the problem and takes steps to correct it.
You can not change another person's behavior.
However, you can work to provide an environment that makes changing a bit easier.
First of all, you need to be honest with yourself.
Are your behaviors exacerbating the situation? Even if you are simply responding to the jealousy by withdrawing, this can lead to secretive behavior that fuels the jealousy, creating a downward spiral from which your relationship may not be able to recover.
One of the things you can do to create a better environment within your relationship is to talk about the problem openly.
Ask your partner to talk about how they feel, and the reasons he or she sees for feeling that way.
Acknowledge these feelings and any part you've played in creating or increasing them.
Don't be judgmental.
Try to be understanding.
Make yourself available to your partner.
If you've been avoiding phone calls and emails, don't do that any more.
The more you show your partner that you will be there, and that you are consistently available, the more trust you can start to build.
This will also help build his or her level of confidence in the relationship.
Understand, however, that this is not going to be something that is going away overnight.
Defeating the deep roots of jealousy in relationships can take a considerable amount of time, so prepare yourself for that.
You may even want to consider going through some form of counseling so that you can have the assistance of an objective third party.
However, even in small amounts, it can be a toxic emotion, and anything more than that can be extremely so.
Jealousy has many roots, none of which are good, but there are some ways you can keep it from poisoning your mind and your relationships.
Before dealing with jealousy, you will need to understand it.
When you feel a little bit jealous of your friend's new car, that could be rooted in confusion over your priorities.
Maybe you could have that car if you weren't saving for a house, but when you remember that the house is more important to you, the jealousy will probably disappear.
Confusion is probably the least destructive of jealousy's roots.
Others include insecurity and a lack of trust or faith.
These are generally issues that run very deep, and can ruin one relationship after another if not addressed.
The only way jealous behavior can really change is if the person exhibiting it recognizes the problem and takes steps to correct it.
You can not change another person's behavior.
However, you can work to provide an environment that makes changing a bit easier.
First of all, you need to be honest with yourself.
Are your behaviors exacerbating the situation? Even if you are simply responding to the jealousy by withdrawing, this can lead to secretive behavior that fuels the jealousy, creating a downward spiral from which your relationship may not be able to recover.
One of the things you can do to create a better environment within your relationship is to talk about the problem openly.
Ask your partner to talk about how they feel, and the reasons he or she sees for feeling that way.
Acknowledge these feelings and any part you've played in creating or increasing them.
Don't be judgmental.
Try to be understanding.
Make yourself available to your partner.
If you've been avoiding phone calls and emails, don't do that any more.
The more you show your partner that you will be there, and that you are consistently available, the more trust you can start to build.
This will also help build his or her level of confidence in the relationship.
Understand, however, that this is not going to be something that is going away overnight.
Defeating the deep roots of jealousy in relationships can take a considerable amount of time, so prepare yourself for that.
You may even want to consider going through some form of counseling so that you can have the assistance of an objective third party.