Work It Are you on the verge of a workplace meltdown?
Feb 22, 2026
Nicole Lam, CNA Today journalist who covers workplace mental health, shares candid stories of her own breakdowns and why real-time emotional processing matters. She defines emotional regulation as riding feelings, spots unhealthy coping like scrolling and shallow breathing, and offers micro-tactics: grounding breaths, brief distractions, separating identity from tasks, and when to seek professional help.
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Nicole's Personal Mental Breakdowns At Work
- Nicole Lam has experienced multiple workplace breakdowns over the years, often triggered by overwhelming tasks or harsh feedback.
- She describes these moments as intense overwhelm and lots of tears, signalling recurring emotional pressure in high-stress jobs.
Emotional Regulation Is About Riding Emotions Not Suppressing Them
- Emotional regulation doesn't mean staying calm all the time but knowing how to ride through strong emotions and anchor yourself.
- Ignoring feelings leads to physical tension, excessive scrolling, or passive coping that masks rather than resolves stress.
Spot Suppression By Your Self Talk And Body
- Watch for self-talk like "I shouldn't feel this way" and physical signs—shallow breathing and tension—as markers you're suppressing emotions.
- Reduce habits like excessive scrolling or compulsive distraction which keep emotions at bay without processing them.