If the term ‘workplace anxiety’ is new to you, don’t worry… it’s new to a lot of workers having new difficulties with changing working scenarios over the past couple of years.

Workplace anxiety can have you feeling stressed, nervous, uneasy, or tense when you think about your job, such as interacting with people from work, or even how well you are performing in your role.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms?

Anxiety symptoms can come in many shapes and forms, varying from person to person. However, when you have workplace anxiety, you might find yourself worrying about:

– Upcoming deadlines
– Reviews about your performance
– Driving to work
– Engaging in meetings and social interactions
– Presenting work to colleagues
– And many other work-related tasks

The symptoms of workplace anxiety are not something you should actively ignore, as your symptoms and worries can lead to problems at work and home. These can include the following:

– Being unable to concentrate or focus
– More sick days being used
– Having a drop in productivity
– Becoming more forgetful
– Taking a longer amount of time to complete work
– Failure to meet deadlines
– Health issues, such as tension, headaches, dizziness, and so on
– Having trouble sleeping
– Becoming irritable and excessively tired

5 Ways To Cope With Your Anxiety

Being able to cope with your anxiety symptoms might seem like a far away goal. But it doesn’t have to be. Find our 5 ways to cope with your anxiety to start living your life to the fullest.

1. Tell Someone You Trust

If you have a colleague at work that you can trust, confide in them about how you are feeling. Even if you think it’s not serious, or you feel silly talking about your anxiety, discussing your worries with someone can help ease the tension that you feel.

Along with this, knowing that your work buddy understands what you are going through can make you feel socially supported. This can ultimately lower your stress levels as you know that you are not alone.

2. Talk To Your Manager

It is completely your choice to tell your managers that you are suffering from anxiety. But deciding to talk to your supervisor can be extremely beneficial to your mental health. Not only does it allow them to understand your situation, but it can encourage them to look at your workload. If your managers look at your responsibilities in a new light, it can allow them the chance to set out achievable tasks.

Be honest with your manager about your issues, especially if you’re struggling to keep up with deadlines.

3. Know Your Limit

Learning what your limits are can be difficult. However, that shouldn’t stop you from figuring them out. When you work within your limits and don’t put too much pressure on yourself, you can create the optimal working environment for yourself.

This could include the following;

• Focus on one task at a time and never dwell on everything you need to do at once.
• Take a long walk during your break or lunch.
• Work with your manager to see what tasks you need to prioritise in your workload.

4. Ask For Help When You Need it

If your manager asks you to perform a task that you’re unsure of, don’t be scared to speak up. It can be anxiety-inducing to approach issues, but it’s much better than suffering in silence. So, tackle it head-on and clear the air over your responsibilities. 

5. Use Quick Coping Strategies

Do you find yourself feeling anxious over larger tasks or issues that may be contributing to your workplace anxiety? If you answered yes, then it’s good to have quick coping strategies up your sleeve for those difficult moments.

Strategies such as getting fresh air for a few minutes, watching a video that comforts you, and practising breathing exercises can help settle your nerves.

In 2019/20 it is estimated that 828,000 workers were affected by work-related stress, depression and anxiety. Which is astounding. You deserve to calm your inner storm, no matter where you are or what you’re doing. Especially when it’s impacting your livelihood.

So, take the time to calm your workplace anxiety and get your mental well-being back to tiptop shape. It will get you back on your feet and you will thank yourself in the long run. Don’t think you can manage by yourself? That’s okay, your local doctor and counsellors can provide you with extra support if need be.