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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by joslynn on April 28, 2004, at 13:05:30
If you have a full-time job in a stressful field, how do you find ways to keep your emotional cool? When tempers are short, and there is a lot of negative energy flying around, how do you try not to let it affect you? I am very sensitive and perceptive to other people's bad moods and sometimes I feel this overload of bad energy where I work. Ideas, thoughts? --thank you.
Posted by rainyday on April 28, 2004, at 13:31:36
In reply to work stress, posted by joslynn on April 28, 2004, at 13:05:30
This isn't really advice, but I have had many jobs in environments you describe. I was not able to protect myself from the negativity and would end up bringing home problems, worrying at night, skin breakouts. I also avoid confrontations as I tend to dissolve into tears when I get angry or frustrated. I finally decided that I needed to put myself in a healthier environment rather than trying to adapt to a negative one, and that's what I did. The pay is lower but the quality of my life greatly improved.
Posted by TexasChic on April 28, 2004, at 16:47:45
In reply to Re: work stress » joslynn, posted by rainyday on April 28, 2004, at 13:31:36
I second that! I was also in a very bad environment and it just about drove me insane. While I was there, I found it helped to do a lot of other activities so that your whole life doesn't revolve around work. The more I hung out with my friends and did a lot of things, the less it mattered to me. I tried to make work a trivial part of my life. I still had to deal with it and it did suck, but it was easier.
I ended up leaving the job – my supervisor tried to get me fired. It was the best thing that ever happened to me! I got a job within two days (and I had been looking for two years), so I was able to leave on my own terms. I was able to stick it to him in the end, which was way cool. The owner of the company asked to speak with me about it, and I told him every single thing he had done and not done. I have heard since then he got demoted. I usually don't wish bad things on people, but he definately got what he deserved!
Posted by Joslynn on April 28, 2004, at 21:07:57
In reply to Re: work stress, posted by TexasChic on April 28, 2004, at 16:47:45
Thanks for the responses. Yes I know long-term, I have to leave. I have been there over five years and it's time to accept that I am too sensitive to keep on working at a place with so many deadlines and so much negative energy flying around. It's not their fault (some people would want my job) and it's not my fault. It's just not a good fit for my emotional health.
Ack, where is Ed McMahon already with the money?
Posted by Dinah on April 28, 2004, at 21:22:18
In reply to Re: work stress, posted by Joslynn on April 28, 2004, at 21:07:57
Tell me about it. :(
My job is a good match for me in terms of my abilities and flexible hours, not to mention decent pay. But sooner or later the stress'll kill me.
Posted by gardenergirl on April 29, 2004, at 8:42:22
In reply to Re: work stress » Joslynn, posted by Dinah on April 28, 2004, at 21:22:18
I recently went through a bunch of work stress with a co-worker. It was just awful. It helped to have colleagues to talk to about it. I admit sometimes we were quite catty. But laughing about it really helped us to deal. And crying about it. Fortunately, it has passed for the moment, and most of us will be leaving in June as it is a one-year deal.
I wish you good office karma.
gg
Posted by Fallen4MyT on April 29, 2004, at 22:26:11
In reply to work stress, posted by joslynn on April 28, 2004, at 13:05:30
This may sound dumb but can you do Yoga at lunch or meditate? they can both relax you rather deeply and take the stress away....practice at home and use some of the moves or steps..even a relaxation CD or tape in the car at lunch???
Posted by joslynn on April 30, 2004, at 16:44:56
In reply to Re: work stress » joslynn, posted by Fallen4MyT on April 29, 2004, at 22:26:11
Thanks for the suggestions! I did go and sit outside yesterday at lunchtime and that helped. I do get decent health insurance and someone gave me a nice compliment today about my work, so that makes it seem ok today. But on the stressful days, I want to flee! I never knew in college that working would be so hard. There are so many things to juggle and people to please.
Posted by Fallen4MyT on April 30, 2004, at 22:27:30
In reply to Re: work stress, posted by joslynn on April 30, 2004, at 16:44:56
I am really glad you had a better day...maybe on the worse days you can go out more and those outside breaks..deep breathing and such will help.
> Thanks for the suggestions! I did go and sit outside yesterday at lunchtime and that helped. I do get decent health insurance and someone gave me a nice compliment today about my work, so that makes it seem ok today. But on the stressful days, I want to flee! I never knew in college that working would be so hard. There are so many things to juggle and people to please.
Posted by gardenergirl on May 1, 2004, at 9:20:01
In reply to Re: work stress, posted by joslynn on April 30, 2004, at 16:44:56
> I never knew in college that working would be so hard. There are so many things to juggle and people to please.
For some reason in my twenties, I was under the delusion that things got easier once you got older. Now that I am 37, I wonder who sold me that bill of goods.
Take care and glad you had a good day.
gg
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