Is Anxiety Holding You Back At Work?

Are you finding it difficult to get out of bed when the alarm clock rings? Does the thought of going to work get your stomach churning? Have you been receiving feedback that your work isn’t up to par, or have you missed out on opportunities for advancement? If any of this sounds familiar, workplace anxiety could be affecting your performance.

Work-related anxiety is a common issue and nothing to feel embarrassed about. It’s particularly prevalent among individuals in higher-ranking positions, where the responsibilities and stakes are elevated. The good news is that there are steps you can take to manage your workplace anxiety. 

Is It Something More Than Just Work?

It’s important to be able to distinguish between experiencing work-related anxiety and the onset of an anxiety disorder. Sometimes, it can be challenging to make this distinction. One way to determine the difference is by asking yourself the following questions:

• Does my anxiety ONLY manifest at work?
• Does my anxiety impact other areas of my life?

If you answered yes to the first question and no to the second, you are likely dealing with work-related anxiety. However, if your answers are in the opposite order, you may be developing an anxiety disorder. In this case, it may be beneficial to seek help from an anxiety therapist to address the potential onset.  

Ways To Soothe Workplace Anxiety 

You don’t have to keep living with work-related anxiety. There are ways to soothe and manage it. However, if you try these things and nothing works, you may want to consider seeing an anxiety therapist. There could be underlying issues or other concerns that only a professional can address. 

Figuring Out What Triggers You 

Determining what exactly is causing your anxiety at work is a great way to start conquering that fear. Try keeping a journal while at work. Jot down your symptoms (nervousness, nausea, headache, etc.) and what caused them (work meetings, giving a presentation, talking to your boss, etc.). Knowing what is causing the problem is half the work of solving it.

Give Yourself Small Breaks

Walking away from your desk and giving yourself time to breathe is a way to “reset” your emotions. If you feel yourself becoming anxious, take a short walk to the food station and give yourself some nourishment. You may not be hungry or thirsty, but even just taking that walk to ground yourself can be a big help.  You may be able to focus better afterward.

Work On Your Organization

Not being properly organized at work could be the cause of some of your anxiety. Disorganization makes getting tasks completed seem nearly impossible. You start panicking because you can’t find anything you need, and the work process moves much slower.

Or the big projects and presentations make your stomach turn. If that’s the case, properly organizing can help that endeavor run much more smoothly. You can also try:

• Breaking down large assignments into smaller steps.
• Assigning each goal an achievable due date.

These steps are like pulling your anxiety into a 180. You’re using your anxiety as a way to get things done as opposed to procrastinating. 

Workplace anxiety is entirely manageable with a positive attitude and a plan. If these suggestions are still not getting you where you want to be, consider finding a reputable anxiety therapist. An anxiety therapist can point you in the right direction to improve things at work.   

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You don’t have to live with work-related anxiety. There are ways to manage it. If you would like to learn more about work-related anxiety and effective strategies for managing it, feel free to contact me.