Reducing Reactivity at Work

Work can be a place of high demands and quick changes. Deadlines, difficult conversations, or sudden changes can trigger intense feelings like frustration, anxiety, and even anger. These emotions can impact your decision-making, relationships, and overall well-being. It's easy to feel your feelings rise when things go wrong or pressure builds. But when your feelings take over, they can steer you into poor choices. Instead of letting them rule, you can learn how to steady yourself and stay in control.

If you feel yourself getting "worked up" at work, here’s a simple guide to keep your cool.

When you feel your emotions building, the first thing to do is stop. Pause. This pause is key. It lets you break the cycle of quick impulses. Once you’ve paused, take a step back and look at what’s going on inside you.

Start by naming the feeling. Are you angry? Frustrated? Tense? Try to give your feelings a name. Then, on a scale of 1 to 10, think about how strong the feeling is. This helps you understand the depth of what you are........

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