3 Ways to Manage Workplace Anxiety
According to one survey, one in four Americans considers their workplace to be a source of anxiety. Another survey has found that less than 40% of the individuals experiencing anxiety at work avoid telling their employers about it because they fear being perceived as uninterested or weak, or worry that it may affect their promotions and appraisals.
Do you struggle with workplace anxiety? Here are a few tips to help manage it.
Communicate With Your Coworkers
We know, dealing with workplace anxiety can be stressful and make you want to close off from human interaction. However, keeping everything to yourself can actually aggravate your anxiety. Sometimes, you just need to talk to other people around you and express what’s bothering you instead of keeping it all in.
Try building healthy ties with your coworkers and establishing friendships at work so that you have people to talk to when things get too overwhelming. This doesn’t mean backbiting your boss or a colleague. Instead, discuss what’s causing you to feel anxious at work and what can be done to improve the circumstances.
Be Honest About What You Can Realistically Manage
Anxiety can make people agree to things that they know are going to be extremely difficult for them, or even impossible. For instance, an anxious person may agree to do a particular task that they know they cannot perform well, or agree to a deadline that’s almost impossible to meet. They may act out of a fear of saying no to their supervisor or feel compelled to do what they’re being asked.
However, taking up tasks that you know will have you at your wit’s end and will only exacerbate your anxiety isn’t really going to help you succeed at work. Even if you do manage to get the job done, it will come at the expense of your mental health.
While negotiating deadlines and tasks may not always be an option, it’s important to be upfront to your boss about what you can and cannot accomplish. You don’t have to tell them about your anxiety if you don’t feel comfortable with it, but do express your concerns about a particular project or deadline so that they’re aware of what’s manageable for you and what isn’t. This will also save you from facing more anxiety in the event of you being unable to get the work done in the specified timeframe.
Take a Short Break
Do you take out a few minutes every day for yourself? We’re not talking about lunch breaks and/or bathroom breaks during the day. We mean short five (or fifteen) minute breaks you take in which you get to relax your mind and give yourself a few minutes of self-care. For instance, if something at work is making you really anxious, it can help to divert your mind by taking a short walk outside your office or meditating at your desk. You can even watch a funny video or listen to soothing music. This will help alleviate your anxiety and will allow you to refocus.
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