The Invisible Tax - Emotional Labor

cassandra james, dei manager

Raise your hand if you’ve ever had to explain something to someone that they could have easily Googled. Or found yourself arguing a point with a self-appointed “devil’s advocate.” These situations can be draining—and there’s a reason for that. It’s called emotional labor.

​In these moments, you’re doing the heavy lifting in conversations and interactions. Emotional labor is the process of managing your feelings to meet workplace or social expectations—like delivering “service with a smile” or maintaining composure under pressure. It often involves either surface acting (faking emotions) or deep acting (adjusting your internal response to match what’s expected).

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Think about a time you had to smile in the face of an angry patron—even when they were clearly in the wrong—while still maintaining professionalism. Or the moment when you wake up not feeling well, but you have to appear upbeat, positive and energetic, even if it's the last thing you want to do.  These are everyday examples of emotional labor, and they take real effort.
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Emotional labor, in excess, can also lead to:

• Cognitive Dissonance: When people display emotions that aren’t in line with their true feelings, it can create cognitive dissonance. Internal inconsistencies can increase stress levels and cause mental distress.
• Burnout: In the workplace, studies show that emotional labor negatively impacts job satisfaction and employee well-being. In addition, when employees experience symptoms of burnout, it can also lead to a decline in job performance. Some research even suggests a link between surface acting and employee turnover.
• Poor Physical Health: Emotional labor takes a mental toll, and the stress of hiding your emotions can also impact your physical health. Emotional labor can increase the risk of health complications like high blood pressure and heart disease. This is why people need to find healthy ways to deal with the stress that emotional labor can cause.

​So, what are some healthy ways to deal with the stress that comes from emotional labor?  

• Practice self-awareness
  • Acknowledge how you are feeling
• Take breaks when you need them
  • Take deep breaths and if you can go for short walks
• Seek support when you need it
  • Reach out to some trusted colleagues, friends or a therapist

What are some ways that you deal with emotional labor of life?