Dealing with emotions at work

mama_d, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2011

Take deep breaths and plaster a smile on your face. Eventually that smile will work it's way in, and you'll be able to get through the shift.

rnmi2004 · Apr 8, 2011

I totally agree with the comments that you need to check the baggage at the door.

I work with too many people that air out their dirty laundry while the rest of us are trying to work. Or they are arguing with their family members the whole shift -- with multiple phone calls or texting. These are issues that should NOT be dealt with at work! Patient care suffers as your co-workers are trying to pick up the slack.

Look at work as a break from whatever issues you have going on outside of work. Put it out of your mind for your shift. Don't take any personal calls during your shift, don't text -- not even on your break if there is even the slightest chance that it is going to affect your ability to do your job.

tiroka03, LPN · Apr 8, 2011

If you are struck with a unforeseeable crisis and have to work, remember that work can be a good distraction for a time, and gives your mind something else to forcus on. I don't mind listening and helping out in that sort of a situation. Although I don't have a lot of time to give. That being said, if you have a chronic problem, and want to dominate my time and whine day after day about it for months, I am not your counselor and I will try to find ways to avoid you. I need to be about my business. If I spend too much time and energy on you, it will affect my job negatively, and I will not get any downtime for myself. I need my job, and I need my mind to focus on my patients and job demands, not you. Check it at the door. Take a break from all the swirling thoughts that plague the rest of your day, and allow your mind to heal a little through hard work, and caring for other's who also have their own share of problems.

Katie5 · Apr 8, 2011

It's not only at work you need to take that breather, take a breather AWAY from the causative factors. Deliberately walk away from those factors and try to see things objectively.

If it helps more, write it down, there doesn't have to be a rhyme or reason- it's scattered thoughts you're trying to arrange, so write the thoughts as they come.

Take a look at it again and then think to yourself- What is the worst possible thing that could happen in this situation?Fear is a paralysing emotion, you don't need that on top of everything else.

If you knew what you could do if fear were not in the way, you wouldn't worry.

sugarmagnoliaRN · Apr 26, 2011

Just for some clarification - I know it needs to be checked at the door, that wasn't really my question. We are all human, and I was just wondering what some of your techniques are for leaving it at the door :) Thanks y'all who added your various ways of dealing with things!

The background of this question stems from my being a fairly emotional person... in my personal life I have trouble hiding how I feel, even if I make a conscious effort to. I've been working in a formal office for about 2 years now and have had several issues to deal with in that time and have done better than I thought I would not letting it interfere. Thanks again for sharing how y'all deal with stuff like that!

chevyv, BSN, RN · Apr 27, 2011

Get busy, stay busy! I can't focus on myself when I'm knee deep in my pts :)

sweetnepenthe · Apr 27, 2011

It is a self-discipline that you just develop over time: keep your mouth shut. Simple. You do not mix your work life/your personal life.

Deep breathe, bite your tongue, leave the room, change the subject, keep busy. You cannot focus on yourself if you are paying attention to your work or your patients or your coworkers.

Good luck. Everyone has emotions, of course, but acting "emotional" is a choice.

Mrs. SnowStormRN, RN · Apr 27, 2011

Just for some clarification - I know it needs to be checked at the door, that wasn't really my question. We are all human, and I was just wondering what some of your techniques are for leaving it at the door :) Thanks y'all who added your various ways of dealing with things!
The background of this question stems from my being a fairly emotional person... in my personal life I have trouble hiding how I feel, even if I make a conscious effort to. I've been working in a formal office for about 2 years now and have had several issues to deal with in that time and have done better than I thought I would not letting it interfere. Thanks again for sharing how y'all deal with stuff like that!

Im an emotional person as well, oddly enough I have always been able to seperate home and work. The key for me is staying busy, downtime is NOT your friend. Exercise on a regular basis, and if it is something so devastating (like you lost your best friend, or your dog died) and you cant function at work, you may want to find a person to cover for you. I know when people come to work with their problems, it affects everyone in the workplace. GOOD LUCK!!!

PS - If downtime does occur, surround yourself with positive people. Tell some jokes or funny stories - maybe talk about a TV show or something just to keep your mind on something else.