Managing a job situation with hostile workplace culture is very disheartening and can lead to lots of stress. Poor corporate culture, aggressive management, and backstabbing colleagues – all of these can do damage to an employee’s psyche and productivity.
But you do not have to allow the negativity around you make you give up on your career and sanity. It is possible to maintain positive and hopeful spirits even when working in a negative environment using the following methods. Here are 10 tips to keep yourself happy in a toxic working environment:r
1. Focus on the Positives
After a careful observation, it can be ascertained that all organizations are characterized by some positive aspects regardless of all the negativity surrounding you. Consciously try to notice and appreciate the positive aspects of your work more often – friendly colleagues, opportunities to learn, flexibility, some of the goals achieved, etc. , This shift from negative to positive will make you feel more in control and more eager.
2. Set Clear Boundaries
It is also important not to allow the demands and pressure from your demanding boss or your co-workers to spill over into other areas. Establish and adhere to well-defined margins as far as working hours, response to e-mails, lunch breaks, etc. , are concerned Make your physical, emotional, and mental well-being more important than anything else related to work. Of all the advice given, ensure that you detach yourself from work fully once your working day is done to refresh your body.
3. Do Not Engage in Office Gossip and Politics
Do not allow yourself to be drawn into gossiping, slandering, politicking, and negativity of workers who are always plotting or complaining to you. Disengage politely from like toxic talks or avoid falling into such topics of discussion. Minimize interaction with those employees who constantly complain and are unable to change their attitudes. Let go of toxic people and free your energy and time for better use in healthy interpersonal relationships.
4. It also helps to have an outlet outside work.
Ensure that you get yourself some form of engagement that would assist you in relaxing, de-stressing and regain your balance. Go for a sport, enroll in a reading group, take a music class – engage in something that makes you happy and innovative. Ensure that you dedicate enough time and effort in this outlet weekly so that it will help to act as a coping mechanism.
5. Practice Self-Care Routines
Learn to make some personal improvements that help alleviate aches in the body for instance through meditation, taking a stroll, seeing a counselor, a massage, going for a spa, etc. Ensure that you have some forms of stress relief such as stress balls, aroma therapy oils, sound spa machines within your working environment. It is important, therefore, not to exhaust your store of resilience by not taking care of the inner self.
6. Re-frame Organizational Challenges
Instead of seeing challenges at the workplace as adversities, try to re-interpret them as chances to develop, to gain new knowledge, or to make a positive change. Do not run away from challenges or failures but embrace them as important milestones in your professional life. This kind of positive messaging can be quite useful in helping you remain happier and less stressed even in the face of hard situations.
7. Focus on Your Accomplishments
One can be overwhelmed with negativity to the point that they forget the good they have done and the achievements made. Counter this by writing down all your professional achievements in a journal – goals accomplished, praises received, skills learned etc. , When you feel down at work, it will help to remind yourself of your capacity.
8. Start with Where You Have Influence
While you may not necessarily be able to dictate the level of toxicity that exists within your organization, you can certainly dictate the culture of your own team. As a leader, involve your communication skills to encourage the creation of a psychologically safe space and positive thinking within members under your supervision. Promote and value the teammates to foster an environment of enhanced welfare within the group.
9. Visualize Your Happy Place
When you are stressed up at workplace, try to free a few minutes and close your eyes and try to imagine your happiest place on earth. It could be a place you visited during your holiday, a place that you used to play when you were a child, etc. Try to recall the physical features, atmosphere, sounds, smells of the place while you engage in deep muscle relaxation. Feeling more balanced and better able to cope with stress on entering work in the morning.
10. Plan an Inspiring Vacation
Expect a good planning of a vacation, staycation or fun related outing to help in recharging of positive attitude and productivity. Prepare detailed schedules, reservations in advance to create positive expectations within. A short break from work once in a while can help you recharge in a positive frame to face a tiring workplace setting.
He noted that toxic work environments can be nightmares to endure. But remember there is hope because you’re not there for the rest of your life and you can always read how to take care of yourself at the workplace. To avoid losing one’s sanity or motivation to the existing negativity, one can adopt one or more of the following easy and effective techniques. Hang in there – you can do this!
