The Power of Emotional Contagion

Have you ever noticed that when your boss is in a good mood, you tend to be in a good mood too? Or, conversely, when your boss is stressed out and negative, you feel the same way? This phenomenon, known as emotional contagion, occurs when we subconsciously mimic the emotions of those around us. According to research, up to 70% of our feelings are contagious.

Not only does emotional contagion explain why we often feel happy or sad for no reason, but it also has implications for the workplace. A study by The University of Warwick found that when managers are happy, employee happiness increases. When managers are negative, employees become negative. Given the power of your emotions and the impact they can have on those around you, it's increasingly important to gain control of your emotional state.

How to Control Your Emotions

One of the best ways to gain control of your emotions is to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is being present and aware of the moment without judgment. When you're mindful, you're not living in the past or worrying about the future—you're focused on the here and now.

Mindfulness can reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and boost immune function. It can also help you regulate your emotions by teaching you to observe them without judgment. In other words, mindfulness allows you to step back from your emotions and see them for what they are: fleeting thoughts and feelings that come and go.

If you're struggling to control your emotions, try incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine with these tips:

-Take a few minutes each day to sit quietly and focus on your breath. As thoughts pop into your head, acknowledge them without judgment and then let them go.

-Pay attention to your senses throughout the day. For example, when you're eating breakfast, please take a moment to taste your food and notice its textures and temperature.

-Make a point of talking to people mindfully. Instead of half-listening while scrolling through your phone, give the person your full attention.

Practicing mindfulness will take time and effort, but it's worth it. Not only will it help you better manage your emotions, but it will also improve your overall well-being.

Regulating our emotions is becoming increasingly important in today's fast-paced world. If we want to be successful at work and in our personal lives, we must find ways to control our emotions instead of letting them control us. One of the best ways to do this is through mindfulness—being present and aware in the moment without judgment. By focusing on our breath and paying attention to our senses each day, we can learn to observe our emotions without getting caught up in them. Over time, this practice will help us better manage our emotions at work and at home.

By Dean Miles

Keywords: Business Continuity, Mental Health, Startups