Six strategies to help improve the mood of others
Psychologists have revealed several strategies that can be used to help improve the mood of others, both in personal relationships and the workplace.
According to Psychology Today, the effort to manage the emotions of others, known as interpersonal affect regulation, is a vital part of daily interaction as it can strengthen social bonds and enhance the quality of communication.
Research conducted by Naomi Niven, David Totterdell, and Amanda Holman in 2009 identified various strategies commonly used by individuals to influence the emotions of others. From 955 collected examples, researchers categorised these strategies into two main groups: strategies that help improve mood and strategies that actually worsen emotions.
The first strategy is ‘valuing’, which involves making someone feel appreciated and noticed through presence, support, and sincere attention. The second strategy is ‘distracting’, such as inviting someone to participate in social activities, attending events, or spending time with others who care for them. The third strategy involves using humour to help someone laugh and enjoy lighter moments.
Meanwhile, the fourth strategy focuses on the problems faced by an individual, known as ‘problem-focused engagement’. This is achieved by listening to grievances, providing space to express feelings, and showing empathy. The fifth strategy is ‘target-focused engagement’, which involves reminding someone of their strengths, achievements, and abilities to restore their self-confidence. The sixth strategy is ‘cognitive engagement’, which helps an individual view a situation from a more objective perspective and discover potential opportunities or solutions that may not have been realised.
The process can be broken down into three steps. The first step is to value and listen, showing care while allowing the interlocutor to vent their feelings and thoughts. The second step is to encourage activity and remind the person of their positive attributes, which helps reduce excessive focus on problems and rebuilds self-confidence. The third step is to use humour and provide constructive advice; humour can help relieve tension, while advice helps an individual view issues with a broader perspective.
According to Nicholson, a combination of these three steps can help an individual break out of negative thought patterns and make better decisions. Researchers suggest that the ability to positively manage the emotions of others can be an essential skill for building healthier and more supportive relationships.