Here’s how to handle workplace anxiety

From loathing Monday mornings to rapid heartbeats during meetings and anxious feelings during the work day, workplace anxiety can manifest in lots of ways.

While dealing with anxiety in the workplace might seem like a lonely task, a recent report from Mental Health in America revealed almost 83% of people felt drained from their jobs, and 9 out of 10 people shared that stress from their jobs has affected their mental health.

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With many employees back in the office after the pandemic, workplace anxiety is increasing. If you’re unsure of the signs of workplace anxiety, here’s what to look for:

feeling physically sick when thinking about work or receiving work related emails and calls
trouble focusing on work related tasks
procrastinating on projects
a decrease of motivation
struggling to get up in the morning and feeling exhausted when thinking about work

Some physical symptoms of workplace anxiety include:

head and neck pain
tension in the body
stomach pain or nausea
sweating, specifically in the palms

Some cases of workplace anxiety might be a form of PTSD. In other cases, a preexisting condition can contribute to work anxiety.

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“Being an anxious person or having a pre-existing anxiety disorder can make us more likely to experience workplace-specific anxiety,” said Annia Palacios, professional counselor with Tightrope Therapy, in an interview with Healthline.

How to manage your workplace anxiety

Recognize your triggers and take a step back and reassess the situation.
Pinpoint what’s scaring you. Is it meetings, speaking in meetings, etc.?
Take breaks. A quick 2-5 minute walk by yourself does wonders for a mental recharge.
Organize. Having a schedule or some sort of organization is appealing to the brain and can release happy hormones and boost moods.
Create boundaries. Don’t answer work emails or calls when you’re off the clock, for example.
Find time to laugh. Taking a moment to read a funny article or watch a short video can help realign your anxiety.

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