This informal CPD article, ' Embracing Your Emotions at Work Through Self-Compassion’, was provided by iGROW CorpHealth, partnering with Corporates to drive Employee Engagement through Holistic Health Solutions.
In the world of work, stress, sadness, and anxiety can easily be labeled as "negative" emotions—feelings workers tend to hide or suppress in professional environments. Yet, embracing these emotions and learning to manage them can be incredibly empowering. Emotional resilience isn’t about avoiding tough feelings; it's about understanding and dealing with them constructively.
In this article, let’s explore how professionals can better attune to your emotions.
Mood Meter Check-In: A Simple Habit for Daily Emotional Awareness
A daily mood meter check-in is a powerful way to build emotional awareness. This exercise involves regularly assessing and naming your emotions, allowing you to recognize patterns and better understand your mental state. Imagine a simple chart or app where you can rate your mood on a spectrum from happy to sad or calm to anxious. Taking a moment to “check in” with yourself can help reduce emotional overwhelm by providing clarity about what you’re feeling and why.
Incorporating mood check-ins as a workplace habit can foster a supportive environment, making it easier for employees to express how they feel. Encouraging this small practice can also reduce stigma around discussing emotions and empower teams to be more mindful and empathetic.
Practicing Self-Compassion: Be Kind to Yourself
Self-compassion involves being kind to yourself, especially during difficult times. It’s common to criticize ourselves harshly when experiencing sadness, stress, or frustration, but this self-criticism can worsen these emotions. Self-compassion allows us to acknowledge that negative feelings are natural, helping us handle them more gracefully.
Try reminding yourself that everyone experiences stress and challenging emotions; it’s part of being human. A practical way to cultivate self-compassion is to think about how you would treat a friend facing the same emotions—would you judge them or support them?
When people feel empowered to acknowledge their emotions without judgment, they are more likely to reach out for help, creating a positive ripple effect across teams.
Mindfulness Practices: Finding Balance and Awareness
Mindfulness is a simple yet powerful tool that can help regulate emotions, reduce stress, and improve focus. Practicing mindfulness means paying attention to the present moment without
judgment—focusing on your breath, your surroundings, or a single task. This allows you to calm the mind and manage overwhelming emotions with more clarity.
Mindfulness practices can be easily incorporated into a workday, whether it’s through short breathing exercises, mindful walks, or even a few moments spent fully concentrating on one task without distractions. Over time, mindfulness can help you better handle emotional highs and lows, creating a more balanced approach to daily challenges.
Even dedicating a few minutes each day to mindfulness can make a noticeable difference, helping you navigate stress and engage with your work more thoughtfully.
Workplace Mental Well-being Ambassador Program: Fostering a Supportive Environment
Workplace Mental Well-being Ambassador programs are designed to create a culture where mental health conversations are normalized, and employees feel supported. Ambassadors are trained to recognize signs of stress or anxiety, provide initial support, and connect colleagues to additional resources if needed.
By becoming an ambassador, you play a vital role in promoting emotional resilience and providing a supportive presence in the workplace. The programs can be especially valuable for workplaces committed to enhancing well-being through peer support and positive mental health initiatives. Ambassadors can lead by example, using their knowledge to help colleagues feel comfortable discussing their mental health, knowing that support is available.
Conclusion
Navigating emotions like sadness, stress, and anxiety at work doesn’t mean hiding or suppressing them. By regularly checking in with yourself, practicing self-compassion, and engaging in guided meditation, you can develop a more resilient mindset.
We hope this article was helpful. For more information from iGROW CorpHealth, please visit their CPD Member Directory page. Alternatively, you can go to the CPD Industry Hubs for more articles, courses and events relevant to your Continuing Professional Development requirements.
