How to Regulate Emotions at Work

05 January 2024

Emotions have become a part of human life and everything that is done will involve emotions. Not only in everyday life, you will definitely involve emotions at work. Every employee can feel happy when their work is good, they can also be sad when someone makes fun of their work.

In this case, there is nothing wrong with the emotions that appear in an atmosphere. It would be wrong if you cannot regulate it well so that the emotions that arise interfere with your own performance.

Maybe not positive emotions, but negative emotions that can become bad when not managed well. Therefore, recognize these negative emotions and try to find ways to regulate them at work.

Types of Negative Emotions in the Workplace

Recognizing the types of negative emotions that can arise is the right step before starting to regulate them later. Here are a number of disturbing emotions that can arise in the workplace.

  • Frustrating
  • Annoyed
  • Worried
  • Flustered
  • Angry
  • Not happy
  • Disappointed
  • Sad

How to Regulate Negative Emotions at Work

Of course, you can analyze the causes of these emotions appearing within you. Once you know the cause, take the steps below to regulate your emotions.

1. Pause

Emotions will only cause your work to suffer. Moreover, when the emotions that come out are feelings of frustration, annoyance, anger and annoyance. When negative emotions arise, try taking a break for a while.

Pausing for a moment can help you see and analyze it wisely. You can also evaluate the causes of these emotions.

2. Get out of your current environment

Excessive anxiety and worry can arise when you are in the midst of toxic colleagues. They will make you worse with gossip and derogatory words.

The best way to reduce anxiety is to go find a place that provides calm. You might be able to take a break by taking a walk around your workplace to get some fresh air.

3. Look for positive things around you

There are times when you can't get away from a situation that causes negative emotions. However, you can regulate it by looking for things that can change your view. You can start by imagining a positive situation that helps change your mood.

One way that can help you regulate negative emotions is not to think about them. You just focus on the positive things about yourself and start moving forward.

4. Write down the cause and method in a notebook

Notebooks may sound trivial. However, the benefits can be huge for yourself at work. Use the notebook to write down things that make you angry, annoyed, worried or disappointed.

Writing it down will make you remember the cause so you can be more alert in the future. Apart from that, you can also analyze the causes and find out the best way to deal with the negative emotions that arise.

5. Try to change the situation

Negative emotions won't change if you just keep quiet and wait for a miracle. Therefore, try to do something to bring about these changes, both in your work and in your feelings.

Remember that you still have responsibilities at work and everything must be completed on time. Trying to change this situation also keeps your brain busy enough so that it doesn't get lost in negative emotions.

6. Remain professional

The cause of negative emotions often comes from toxic coworkers. However, that doesn't mean you have to respond negatively to these people. Remain professional at work to maintain your reputation.

Remain respectful, polite, and don't show your annoyance to the person in front of other people. If you can defeat your personal ego, you will also win against the negative emotions that arise.

7. Refine expectations

Feelings of disappointment, sadness and annoyance can arise as a result of reality not being in line with expectations. It's not the reality that's changed—because you can't change it. However, reset the expectations you have.

If it's all about work, you can change the deadline or lower the target slightly to be more able to achieve it. You can do the same thing with your co-workers. If there is a co-worker who often annoys you, then it's best not to expect him to do the opposite to you.

Don't let negative emotions dominate your mind and interfere with your performance. Continue learning to regulate your emotions so that you can still work well and achieve your desired targets.

Emotions have become a part of human life and everything that is done will involve emotions. Not only in everyday life, you will definitely involve emotions at work. Every employee can feel happy when their work is good, they can also be sad when someone makes fun of their work.

In this case, there is nothing wrong with the emotions that appear in an atmosphere. It would be wrong if you cannot regulate it well so that the emotions that arise interfere with your own performance.

Maybe not positive emotions, but negative emotions that can become bad when not managed well. Therefore, recognize these negative emotions and try to find ways to regulate them at work.

Types of Negative Emotions in the Workplace

Recognizing the types of negative emotions that can arise is the right step before starting to regulate them later. Here are a number of disturbing emotions that can arise in the workplace.

  • Frustrating
  • Annoyed
  • Worried
  • Flustered
  • Angry
  • Not happy
  • Disappointed
  • Sad

How to Regulate Negative Emotions at Work

Of course, you can analyze the causes of these emotions appearing within you. Once you know the cause, take the steps below to regulate your emotions.

1. Pause

Emotions will only cause your work to suffer. Moreover, when the emotions that come out are feelings of frustration, annoyance, anger and annoyance. When negative emotions arise, try taking a break for a while.

Pausing for a moment can help you see and analyze it wisely. You can also evaluate the causes of these emotions.

2. Get out of your current environment

Excessive anxiety and worry can arise when you are in the midst of toxic colleagues. They will make you worse with gossip and derogatory words.

The best way to reduce anxiety is to go find a place that provides calm. You might be able to take a break by taking a walk around your workplace to get some fresh air.

3. Look for positive things around you

There are times when you can't get away from a situation that causes negative emotions. However, you can regulate it by looking for things that can change your view. You can start by imagining a positive situation that helps change your mood.

One way that can help you regulate negative emotions is not to think about them. You just focus on the positive things about yourself and start moving forward.

4. Write down the cause and method in a notebook

Notebooks may sound trivial. However, the benefits can be huge for yourself at work. Use the notebook to write down things that make you angry, annoyed, worried or disappointed.

Writing it down will make you remember the cause so you can be more alert in the future. Apart from that, you can also analyze the causes and find out the best way to deal with the negative emotions that arise.

5. Try to change the situation

Negative emotions won't change if you just keep quiet and wait for a miracle. Therefore, try to do something to bring about these changes, both in your work and in your feelings.

Remember that you still have responsibilities at work and everything must be completed on time. Trying to change this situation also keeps your brain busy enough so that it doesn't get lost in negative emotions.

6. Remain professional

The cause of negative emotions often comes from toxic coworkers. However, that doesn't mean you have to respond negatively to these people. Remain professional at work to maintain your reputation.

Remain respectful, polite, and don't show your annoyance to the person in front of other people. If you can defeat your personal ego, you will also win against the negative emotions that arise.

7. Refine expectations

Feelings of disappointment, sadness and annoyance can arise as a result of reality not being in line with expectations. It's not the reality that's changed—because you can't change it. However, reset the expectations you have.

If it's all about work, you can change the deadline or lower the target slightly to be more able to achieve it. You can do the same thing with your co-workers. If there is a co-worker who often annoys you, then it's best not to expect him to do the opposite to you.

Don't let negative emotions dominate your mind and interfere with your performance. Continue learning to regulate your emotions so that you can still work well and achieve your desired targets.

Prasetiya Mulya Executive Learning Institute
Prasetiya Mulya Cilandak Campus, Building 2, #2203
Jl. R.A Kartini (TB. Simatupang), Cilandak Barat, Jakarta 12430
Indonesia
Prasetiya Mulya Executive Learning Institute
Prasetiya Mulya Cilandak Campus, Building 2, #2203
Jl. R.A Kartini (TB. Simatupang), Cilandak Barat,
Jakarta 12430
Indonesia