Emotion work

Emotion work refers to the effort individuals put into managing and sometimes modifying their feelings to meet social expectations or maintain relationships. It involves activities like suppressing negative emotions, displaying positive ones, or comforting others. For example, a customer service representative might hide frustration to stay professional, or a parent may soothe a child's fears. This effort regulates emotions to create a desired social environment, often aligning personal feelings with societal or professional norms. Ultimately, emotion work helps facilitate smoother interactions and uphold social harmony, but it can also be emotionally taxing over time.