To begin with I’m a person that find’s it nearly impossible to cry in public or in front of people. I’m more of a cry in the shower kind of person. However, work can sometimes create the perfect storm for breakdowns. We’re pounded by 24/7 accessibility and high expectations, forever short on time and resources. We’d not be human, if at some point it didn’t get to us! When tears flow and you cannot hold it in anymore, this is the perfect opportunity for you to figure out what was happening. Were you feeling undervalued? Over-worked? Bullied? If so, then use the moment as a chance to address the true underlying problem. But do you really want to look like a cry baby at work?
What people need to learn is how to become more resilient. Everyone can control their reactions to events, but it takes some mental training to channel negative emotions. It’s all about context, showing empathy and emotions are valued traits, but unfortunately showing your most raw, vulnerable side is not always in one’s best interest. Crying over a moving speech or a colleague’s misfortune is acceptable; crying because someone hurt your feelings, not so much.
Turning off the taps can be tough! So, here’s what you should do if it’s really hard for you to hold in your tears. To start with, get up and go to get a drink of water. Simply moving will short-circuit the biological process. Know your triggers in advance and have a safe haven to head to. That may be the restroom, the stairwell, your car or outside. Go compose yourself and hit refresh. Also, please make sure, to not work 24/7. If you are stretched too thin, you won’t have the capacity to absorb and deal with inevitable upsets during the day.
Crying is healthy, but sadly sometimes it’s perceived as unprofessional and immature. Have control over yourself, and remember that people can’t see what’s inside of you unless you show them. I am not by any means saying that crying isn’t good for you, on the contrary.
Apart from work, let me tell you this, some people are really not worth crying over, put your mental health above anyone, make yourself the only priority, anything else comes second.
