4 Ways to Stay Sane in a Toxic Office

4 Ways to Stay Sane in a Toxic Office4 Ways to Stay Sane in a Toxic OfficeWork, like life, is bound to have its ups and downs. Whether its a new manager who thinks hovering behind your chair is productive, a round of lay-offs that wipes out half your work friends, or yet another spate of cost-cutting austerity measures- the atmosphere in your office can sometimes quickly go from manageable to miserable.Naturally, when faced with a hostile environment, your first thoughts probably lean toward finding ways out of the situation. However, leaving your job isnt always an option- at least not right away. So, until things improve or youre able to plot your exit strategy, youll still need to show up every day and deal with whatever tension ails your office.Although dealing with a toxic work environment is anything but fun, you dont have to be at the mercy of your surroundings. Here are a few steps you can take to get a handle on the situation and get through it relatively unscathed.1. Establ ish Your Support GroupBuilding a support group outside of the office is always a good thing, but its especially important when you find yourself swimming in toxic waters. When tensions at work are high, you may not want to or be able to vent to your colleagues. Plus, there are some things you just shouldnt discuss with them, as constantly airing your frustrations could easily be misinterpreted if overheard by the wrong person.So save your curse-laden tirades for you trusted friends and family, and keep them to after hours. Just remember not to overdo it- you dont want them to end up as frustrated as you are.2. Find a Friggin OutletI cant stress this enough. When things at work get tough, find something to do after work- every single day. The first time I encountered an awful 9-to-5 environment, the biggest mistake I made welches to wearily drag myself home every day, pour myself a glass of wine, and re-hash the days events over and over in my head, dwelling on how miserable my life had become.Fortunately, by the time this happened for the second time in my career, I had learned my lesson. I was already a member at my local gym, so I added weekly classes to my routine and attended religiously. When I wasnt in the gym, I was working on little home improvement projects around my house, and when I ran out of those, I taught myself how to knit. Dont laugh Knitting was seriously one of the best hobbies I couldve picked up. It required constant concentration, so I could never allow my mind to wander (or wallow), and its surprisingly soothing.The key is to make sure youre living a fulfilling life outside your job- itll make the drama you endure after punching in far more tolerable.3. Stay Positive- Even if You Have to Fake ItThis might be the most difficult step in the process, but its also one of the most important. Have you ever hung around someone whos constantly negative, and then found yourself becoming a bit pessimistic, too? The same can happen when youre posit ive. And even if keeping your chin up doesnt rub off on your colleagues, it will definitely help keep you from falling into the trap of never-ending negativity in the office.That said, be sure not to overdo it, as an overly joyful attitude may seem inappropriate to your colleagues in the office- especially others whove found their situations as difficult as your own. You dont need to be the company for their misery, but you also dont need to go out of your way to act like nothing is wrong. Focus on your work, treat people with respect, and be as polite and genuine as you would in any normal, healthy office.4. Make Lists- Every DayHaving a great attitude (or at least pretending to) is great for the big picture, but when it came down to the minutes and hours of each day- that could drag on tortuously- I found I needed a more hands-on approach.Those of you who like to make lists will love this, and to those who dont, trust me. It will make such a difference that youll start making list s for everything- even when youre not at work.Several years ago, when dealing with a particularly painful situation in my office, I noticed I had become quite distracted. I would forget important meetings, or write an email but never get around to sending it. Because my job seemed to no longer have real purpose, my days dragged on and I never felt I like was working toward anything.And then I started making lists. I wrote down every little thing I needed to do that day, all the way down to the most insignificant details, like washing out my coffee mug before leaving each night. The results were incredible. Suddenly, I had things I needed to do. If I had a list, I had a purpose, and no matter how awful the situation was, I had a nice long list of tasks to keep me busy every day- and keep me from staring blankly at my screen.A toxic office is a challenge I hope none of you will ever have to face. But, if you do, remember these tips to help ease your journey through the choppy waters- and youll be better equipped for success once the storm passes, too.Photo courtesy of Ed Yourdon.