by Leigh Goessl

Created on: October 04, 2009   Last Updated: February 05, 2012

Anyone who's ever had the misfortune of working in an environment that is full of negativity or even outright hostility has probably suffered the effects of poor morale. Coping in a negative workplace can be difficult and if the situation escalates this can cause lots of problems.

In addition to low morale, some of the other problems which can be attributed to a negative work place are health problems, conflict with coworkers, stress and difficulty getting motivated; all of these issues can impede getting work done.

If you find yourself stuck in a situation where the negativity is beginning to become unbearable, fortunately there are a few things you can do. They may not completely solve the problem, especially if the root issues are beyond your control, but they can make life a little easier for you.

Here are a few tips to cope with being in a negative workplace:

• Separate Work from Home Life

Sometimes when you work in a highly frustrating environment due to negativity, it is often difficult to leave those issues at work when you go home. Many people who are irritated over work issues tend to bring these problems home, either by discussing them with family or just constantly continue to think about and stress over them.

One of the best actions to take is to check work out at the door at quitting time. Don't allow the negativity to follow you out the EXIT door, leave it behind. People who bring the negative attitude or problems home are likely going to find they become either more stressed out or depressed over their work life and over the course of time the negativity could begin to impact home life as well.

While this doesn't mean a person should never talk about work issues at home because often that can be a stress reliever in itself to vent out frustrations, the key is to not bring negativity home, which means have your say and let go.

•  Take Designated Breaks or Time Off

Everyone needs a break sometime and it's important to take scheduled or allotted breaks at work. Even a quick five minute breather can do wonders for the psyche. When plagued with negativity, sometimes removing yourself from the situation for a few minutes to recharge your batteries is helpful.

If you have vacation time, don't be tempted to forgo and skip this year's vacation. Even if you don't go anywhere, if your workplace is wrenched with negativity, getting away from a week gives you time to refresh and cleanse your mind with more positive thoughts; a brief

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