Emotions Contagious?

[susans]

Do you feel emotions are contagious? Such as, if you smile maybe others will smile.  If you are in a foul mood, the people in around you maybe be in a bad mood, etc.

[jodith]

I do think that our actions have an effect on others around us.  If you are in a foul mood, and your actions show it, i.e. stomping around angrily , snatching at things, speaking shortly to people, then it will bring the mood of those around you down.  If you smile at people and speak nicely, even if your mood is foul, it will help lighten not only their mood, but yours as well.

I try to not take my foul mood with me into the office.  When I feel myself getting really short, I try to stop and take a few deep breaths and let some of the stress and tension go.  The clients we have at our office are usually stressed enough without me bringing them down further.

Of course, this is a lot easier to do since my hysterectomy laughs.  No more PMS for me.  I used to be in a foul, foul temper for about 3 days every month.

[gee4]

Depends - I certainly try not to allow others to bring me down if they are in a foul mood.

[itsme_calista]

I really try to be cheerful at work but can easily be brought down by others moods, particularly "down" moods, but I think that's because I've a personal battle with depression.

One of the major causes of black moods here is out of the building for a while and the atmosphere is very different at the moment, peaceful and serene almost.  I even heard birds chirping earlier

I'm hoping, as Jodith mentioned earlier, that my hysterectomy in the summer will be a major turning point in mood for me.

[jodith]

I hope your hysterectomy goes well!  Let me tell you, mine was the best thing that ever happened to me.  I was essentially anemic since I was a teenager.  For the first time in my adult life, I can actually go out and do things semi-athletic without feeling like I'm going to die from lack of breath.

I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed that everything goes well.

[peaches2160]

In our role, we set the tone for the office on a daily basis.  In rough seas, we are the calming waves.  I find people respond better when I am pleasant, even though they are in a foul mood.

My predecessor ruled the office in such a way that people were reluctant to come to her for anything.  This gave the impression the boss was unapproachable as well, although they are not like that at all.  Since I have been in this role, I have been told on several occassions how nice it is to do business at my office now.  I take that as a compliment.  People have also commented how the atmosphere on the floor has improved and my boss seems happier.  My predecessor is a fine lady who I respect.  However, her style differed a great deal from mine.  The department is more productive since the atmosphere has improved.

If I am stressed, I too take a break.  Walk outside and get some fresh air, or take a deep breath.  Sometimes more than one.  In e-mail, on occassion, I have been known to not respond for a while until I can reply in a positive tone.  Life is 10% what happens and 90% how we respond.

Be pleasant.

People do respond depending on how they are approached.