Work environments can make you anxious at times. Feeling anxious is completely normal as we are human and those types of feelings tend to occur from time to time, however, it becomes an issue when you are constantly feeling unease, worried or apprehension about work.
The causes of workplace anxiety include worries about your job performance, working relationships, working excessive hours, upcoming deadlines, your job security or a toxic workplace environment.
Workplace anxiety, and similar mental health concerns like stress and depression, is a common issue in the modern workplace – with a Health and Safety Executive stating those conditions accounting for 50% of all work-related ill health cases.
Suffering from anxiety at work can seriously affect your ability to do your job. However, to every issue there is always a solution. Here are a few simple strategies you can start examining and practising to help you when feeling anxious at work:
Plan ahead
Take the time to plan out your days and weeks. That way, you will have full visibility of the tasks you want and need to accomplish. A well-structured plan will help you to feel in control of your work and your working day, which can ease any feelings of anxiousness.
Set up realistic deadlines
Setting ambitious deadlines for projects will only ever add to your anxiety. By breaking down bigger tasks into smaller steps, you can start to get a realistic view of how long a project will take – use this planning stage to set deadlines that you are comfortable with.
Accept that you will experience some anxiety
Everyone experiences anxiety from time-to-time which is completely normal. When people experience stress, it’s the natural human response. For people struggling with an anxiety disorder, who may experience anxiety more intensely or more often than people without the condition, it is important to have coping strategies in place to help manage the moments that feel overwhelming. Professional support and therapy can help you to develop these coping skills for the future.
Take good care of yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help
Good self-care is important, as it can stop your stress and anxiety from becoming unmanageable. Take your lunch breaks during the working day so that you have a chance to rest and recharge. And make sure that you are getting adequate sleep, eating healthily, exercising, and taking part in social activities. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
