Strategies to Manage Emotional Distress in the Workplace

Being in a state of emotional distress is like it sounds: feeling distressed. Basically, it means you’re experiencing symptoms of mental suffering. This may happen because you’ve gone through something difficult or an associated mental health disorder, such as depression or anxiety. Workplace stress can contribute to this state of emotional distress and can impact an employee’s performance. The good news is that there are strategies to manage emotional distress in the workplace. Let’s discuss more.

The Challenge 

Emotional anguish can cause problems in the workplace because its symptoms don’t fit with the requirements of a job. For instance, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, worrying a lot, or having trouble concentrating, you won’t do your best work. The symptom of avoiding other people interferes with managing, working together as a team, or providing your best service to customers or clients. Unfortunately, the workplace environment can contribute to emotional distress through long work hours, high responsibility, poor relationships, and other circumstances. 

Strategies To Manage Emotional Distress In The WorkPlace

It’s essential to have ways to address emotional distress on the job. These strategies can help: 

• Self-Regulation Skills: Employees can use these skills to address and calm their emotions at the moment, empowering them and helping them with their mental health. 
• Emotional Awareness & Management: Recognizing distress and its contributors help people manage the problem better. 
• Workforce Development Program: A workplace can include this program to support and train its employees regarding their mental health. 

How Can Employers Help? 

Employers play an integral part in the emotional well-being of their workplace. They can make emotional distress a key component of workplace wellness programs to support their employees. In addition, they can recognize factors contributing to this kind of distress and consider making necessary changes to reduce the problem.

By Chitra Goel

Courtesy of Axiom

Share This Article: