Ways to handle Negative Emotions at Work

We have all been at some stage within our working career when a situation has arisen where there’s been a communication break down between you and your colleague and our feelings towards that person or situation can leave us feeling irritable, angry and frustrated.

When we look at the overall scheme of things, we as adults spend most of our adult life outside of our family unit within the workplace. So when we are faced with colleagues with different personalities, getting on with each other in small or large spaces within the workplace can be a challenge at any time. Its times and situations like this where our emotions can get the better of us at times which can then result in negative emotions towards that person.

In today’s post we will be looking at some ways in dealing with negative emotions at work.

• Self Care

An employee who looks after their own physical, emotional and mental needs regularly is going to be more able to deal and manage negative or hostile emotions within the workplace.

Some positive strategies can be to look at gaining adequate sleep at night, good nutrition, meditation and regular exercise.

• Take a Break

Another positive option when you want to vent your frustrations or emotions, look at taking a 10-20 minute break from the office, where you can go for a walk around in the park or getting a coffee.

By doing this it will clear your mind and potentially save you from loosing your temper or putting yourself in a situation, which you may later regret.

• Decision Making

With the different forms of communication within our society, it can be all too easy for us to email, text, call or tweet things that we may later regret.

Try to remember not to let your anger or unhappiness in the current situation to cloud your judgement. Hold off on all communication while you are angry. Once it gets sent it can be often hard to take back what has been sent. Sleep on it and revisit it the next day or even speak with someone before you send it out.

• Clarify

It is good to clarify before reacting, in the event that it could be a simple misunderstanding or miscommunication between that individual.

Amanda Ogden is from Sydney Australia, and has spent the past 13 years working within the welfare industry in both administration and case management assisting people with mental health issues, mild intellectual disabilities, acquired brain injuries, drug & alcohol, homelessness gain employment. She also loves travelling, creating jewellery, music, friends and family.