3 Reliable Ways to be Less Sensitive to Negativity

When a coworker says something insulting, it’s natural to react. But if you find yourself stewing over the comment for days, your may be too sensitive. Excessive sensitivity often comes from insecurities and incorrect interpretations of what other people say. Here are three ways to assess the situation:

Don’t overreact. You may think that talking through your feelings with your coworker is the most productive option. But if you’re a sensitive person, your initial response to their slight may be more about your fears than what they actually said. So hit the brakes for a few minutes. Take some time to reflect before approaching your coworker.

Question yourself. Try to figure out why your reaction may be more intense than necessary. It’s possible your coworker’s insult is triggering feelings you have about something from the past, not what’s going on now.

Stick to the facts. It’s easy to catastrophize and read too much into what was said. If your coworker criticized your presentation, it doesn’t mean she thinks you’re incompetent. She might even have some constructive feedback -- or be jealous.

-Sarah Cooke