Feelings are the perception that each person has of his or her emotions. It is something more subjective, but perceived consciously. Basically, it is the meaning that each person gives to his or her emotional reactions.
Understand that there is a significant difference between feelings and emotions. In any case, both affect quality of life and mental health . For this reason, they need to be managed in the best way possible, including when they are related to work.
Most things tend to trigger other feelings and emotions at work, which could turn out intense. Therefore, it is essential to know how to deal with them, and this article will show you exactly how. Read on and find out.
What are emotions?
Emotions are neurological reactions that a person presents when exposed to some certain stimulus. They take place unconsciously but result in physiological experiences, like laughter, tears, dilation of pupils, tremors, and redness of the face.
They are more instinctive and affect the body. Besides, emotions tend to be influenced by a person’s desires, thoughts, experiences, and beliefs. Therefore, each person can react differently to the same situation. These reactions can be negative and harm health, as is the case with emotional allergies and gastrointestinal problems.
Examples: What are the 5 emotions?
Emotions can be classified as primary or secondary. Primary emotions are those that all people tend to manifest. They are recognized throughout the world, such as:
- sadness;
- fear;
- happiness;
- anger;
- surprise.
To this list, we can also add contempt and disgust.
Secondary emotions depend on social experience and tend to combine different primary emotions. Fear and sadness, for example, can lead to anxiety or depression .
What are positive and negative feelings?
Feelings derive from emotions. They are more conscious manifestations, based on the experience that a person goes through according to an emotion. That is why there are positive and negative ones.
Thoughts, memories, beliefs, and past experiences can alter the way in which we respond to emotions. People who have good self-awareness usually know how they will feel in a given situation.
A negative feeling creates discomfort and compels the individual to try and get away from that feeling. It is, thus, hard for the person to confront the situation or seek assistance. They thus become overwhelmed or make decisions that harm them.
Positive feelings awaken a sense of well-being in the individual. The individual feels good about the emotions they are perceiving in themselves. They trigger beneficial reactions, which make the person feel satisfied and comfortable.
Examples: What are the 10 feelings?
There are different types of feelings, depending on how each person reacts to emotions. Here are some examples:
- gratitude;
- anguish;
- jealousy;
- envy;
- optimism;
- security;
- longing;
- loneliness;
- stress;
- trust.
Feelings and emotions at work
The work environment tends to trigger different emotions. However, they are often negative. This is because they are associated with stressful situations, such as work overload, very short deadlines, conflicts and disagreements.
This leads to harmful feelings that lead to a drop in productivity and dissatisfaction on the part of the employee. Therefore, emotions and feelings at work directly influence the organization’s results.
Hence the importance of paying close attention to this aspect. This way, it is possible to minimize the consequences of negative emotions.
Examples
As mentioned, it is common for emotions in the workplace to be negative, such as:
- stress ;
- irritation;
- Bad mood;
- nervousness;
- frustration.
But if the organizational climate is positive, good emotions and feelings also occur, such as:
- well-being;
- trust;
- courage;
- determination;
- disposition;
- interest;
- optimism.
How to deal with emotions and feelings at work
Knowing how to deal with emotions and feelings in the workplace is an important form of self-care . Not to mention the fact that productivity, satisfaction, and performance are affected by these situations. In addition, it is essential to preserve mental health.
It is important to remember that US is the most anxious country in the world . This is related to the lack of ability to manage one’s own emotions and feelings. Below are some tips to deal with them in the best way possible.
These are practices that will prevent mental fatigue and promote greater well-being and quality of life.
Work on a feedback culture
Providing feedback is very important to make employees feel more secure. When they know that their efforts are being recognized, people feel more motivated. In addition, constructive feedback helps with development, encouraging growth and helping with difficulties.
Promote dialogue
Promoting dialogue is essential to clarify misunderstandings and resolve disputes. A conversation based on respect mediates conflicts and allows everyone to express themselves. In this way, everyone’s feelings and emotions are taken into consideration.
Invest in self-knowledge
Knowing yourself is essential to understanding your own emotions and the situations that cause them to manifest. This also allows you to better deal with your own emotional state. It is a way to avoid negative feelings and seek learning from a challenging situation.
Maintain good communication
It is essential that communication takes place without noise. The message needs to be transmitted in a clear and objective manner so that there is no doubt or misinterpretation. This maintains a healthy organizational climate, promoting respect and transparency among everyone.
Practice empathy
The ideal is to see situations according to the other person’s reality. This is empathy. Understanding how people feel in order to understand their reactions and behavior. Practicing empathy is essential to better manage the emotions and feelings of others and one’s own.
When a person learns to deal with their emotions and feelings, they also gain more self-esteem . This is because they begin to understand themselves and have more balanced reactions. They are also able to make strategic and intelligent decisions, and all of this contributes to their personal and professional growth.