It is possible to learn to be better able to sit with the discomfort of disapproving co-workers. We’re not going to lie, though: it’s not easy.

“If we don’t learn how to manage these reactions, they can lead to anxiety, people-pleasing and emotional exhaustion,” warns Meaden. “Over time, we become hyper-attuned to others’ moods and disconnected from our own needs. Being able to regulate these feelings builds resilience, self-worth and better boundaries, which are essential for healthy relationships, both at work and more generally.”

The experts advise taking the following steps if you’re struggling with this.

1. Recognise it’s not necessarily your fault

“I think the most important thing to keep in mind when facing someone who is unhappy with us in the workplace is that their unhappiness isn’t necessarily a sign that we have failed or are deficient,” explains Portia Hickey, a workplace psychologist and behavioural scientist. “It is a sign that what we’ve done hasn’t met their needs, which is a slight but important difference.”

2. Name it and check it

Meaden advises the ‘name it and check it’ technique. “Simply noticing and naming the emotion (“I feel unsettled because I think they’re upset”) helps reduce its intensity,” he tells Stylist. “Next, check it: ask yourself, have they actually said they’re upset? Our minds often jump to conclusions.”

Do you hate upsetting people? Here’s how to tolerate someone being unhappy with you at work, according to experts