How to Cope with Work-Related Anxiety
Whether you love your job or simply feel indifferent about it, there are plenty of aspects of having a job that can create feelings of anxiety. Meeting strict deadlines, dealing with coworkers, and concerns about job security are all contributing factors that cause work-related anxiety.
Nipping these types of situations in the bud is an absolute key when it comes to overcoming work-related anxiety. Dealing with workplace anxiety is crucial to being a happy, healthy, functioning individual not only in your professional life but also in your personal one. Keep reading to learn how you can cope with this anxiety!
Recognizing work-related anxiety
The first and arguably most important step toward eliminating work-related anxiety is by recognizing it. In certain cases, individuals living with workplace anxiety may simply think it is a natural response to working in their industry. If any of the following symptoms resonate with you, though, it may be a sign of a larger issue.
Consistently feeling overwhelmed or stressed out
Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
Increased feelings of agitation
Upset stomachs, frequent nausea, or other gastrointestinal issues
Feeling tense when thinking about your job
Frequent headaches
Elevated heart rate while on the job
What causes anxiety to develop in the workplace?
There is no one straight answer for how you may have developed work-related anxiety. The answer to “what causes anxiety” is not simple, and could be anything from your workload to unclear communication. For some, a high-pressure industry may have created an environment highly conducive to workplace anxiety. For others, there may be a culture of toxicity at your company, leading employees to develop anxiety surrounding work.
Whatever the reason is, remember it's not your fault. We cannot control what causes us anxiety, especially in a professional setting. Now that you recognize that you may be living with work-related anxiety and understand the cause could be a multitude of things, it's time to learn techniques to help you cope.
Ways to cope with work-related anxiety
The good news about this is that there are plenty of tried and true methods you can utilize to help you cope with your work-related anxiety. Once you begin incorporating these techniques into your routine, you will notice a tangible difference in your anxiety levels.
Set boundaries: Be sure that when you log off of work for the day, you leave your work at work! Although having access to your work email technically makes you available around the clock, do not make a habit of doing your work on your personal time.
Put yourself first: When it comes down to it, your job is simply a job. You will always be more important, so be sure to put yourself first in your life.
Learn how to manage your stress: Practice stress management techniques such as deep breathing or yoga. These are forms of mindfulness that will lead to reduced anxiety levels.
Set realistic expectations: We all want to do the best job that we possibly can. To manage disappointment, however, we must set realistic expectations for ourselves and our coworkers. This way, we can all understand what is possible and what is not achievable.
The ultimate goal when it comes to workplace anxiety is to overcome the challenges you are facing. If you've tried making changes to no avail, however, then it may be time to search for a new position. If you are in a position where you feel as if you have no other option than to leave your job, I encourage you to reach out to a trained mental health professional, as they can provide further insight into your position. Reach out to me today to schedule an appointment for work-stress therapy.