How to Identify and Relieve Your Workplace Anxiety
Workplace anxiety is real. Many people don’t even realize they’re being affected by these constant feelings of worry, or self-doubt. It can manifest in several different ways. Here are a few signs you can look out for:
- Always worrying about a deadline
- Constantly checking emails outside of work in fear that you will be criticized for not responding immediately
- Avoiding conversations with colleagues who you feel are difficult to talk to
- Constant fear that you will lose your job
- Trouble sleeping because you’re thinking about work
- Fear of speaking up in meetings or
- Avoiding recreational outing with colleagues
These situations can be caused by anxiety and can actually affect your performance at work. There are a number of reasons why people find themselves practicing these behaviors, which can be related to past experiences, self-esteem and even gender and race. Chantel touched on women dealing with anxiety in the workplace in her latest Facebook Live chat. It’s essential to identify the source of your anxiety to work towards an effective solution. Start asking yourself questions like, “why am I avoiding,” and “how does this make me feel.”
Here are three ways you can relieve anxiety while at work.
Set Realistic Deadlines
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to finish the job in one hour, when you know it will take two. Not only will you have to work faster, but you’ll be worried about making your deadline, which can actually slow you down or affect the quality of your work. You also run the risk of missing your deadline, which can affect your performance at work. If your supervisor has set the deadline, kindly ask for more time or assistance to produce the quality results that meet the standards of the organization.
Say “No”
This can be hard for a lot of people but sometimes it can be good for everyone. Pleasing everyone and meeting their needs means neglecting your own. If you’re dealing with a heavy workload, it’s okay to say that when several people are trying to pull you in several different directions. Saying ‘no’ occasionally—especially to bizarre requests—can lower your stress levels and actually is a form of self-care.
Converse with Colleagues
It can be about anything. If you overhear someone talking about a TV show you love or a hobby you’re interested in, don’t shy away from joining in. Get to know your colleagues and allow them to get to know you. It makes it much easier to work with people you can relate to and trust. And the more you talk to them, the more comfortable you will be asking for help, speaking up in meetings and joining them for after-work drinks.
If you’re having trouble identifying the source of your actions and these techniques aren’t inspiring changes in your behavior, it may be time to consider seeking the help of a therapist or life coach.
I have two more scientifically proven methods that can increase your happiness at work and in your personal life. And they are very easy to do.
At CWC Coaching, our team consists of licensed therapists, life coaches, and counselors. We assist clients with self-improvement, career development, negative self-talk, psychological pain, self-sabotaging behavior, past hurts and finding your purpose.
If you are ready to increase your self-awareness and happiness, breakthrough limiting behavior and understand your purpose in life, we’d love to help guide you on this journey.
