Even if you don’t have a diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), the workplace is one of the most common places an individual can feel increased levels of anxiety. From asking your boss for a promotion to worrying about a new project, there are many different factors that contribute to higher-than-average feelings of stress.
Although workplace anxiety will almost certainly result in unhappiness surrounding your job, symptoms can manifest in a variety of different ways. However, recognizing your workplace anxiety is the first step to overcoming it.
Feelings of Irritability
If you are feeling more annoyed at work than usual, it could be due to stress surrounding your job. Increased feelings of irritability are incredibly common when it comes to anxiety.
So the next time you find yourself frustrated with a coworker, gently remind yourself this could be a manifestation of your anxiety.
Difficulty Concentrating
Are your meetings all beginning to swirl together into one long PowerPoint? Having difficulty concentrating is a characteristic of anxiety. Eliminating distractions can help strengthen your focus at work.
Loss of Interest
Have you suddenly lost interest in a project that previously inspired you? Sudden indifference is closely related to anxiety. Focusing on creative ways to tackle projects at work can help renew your motivation.
Avoiding Coworkers
If you previously used to attend every workplace party and have since stopped, your anxiety could be to blame. Avoidance of friends and family is commonplace when it comes to dealing with adverse mental health.
Bonding with your team members on matters outside of your job might help you become more comfortable with them and mitigate your anxious thoughts.
Physical Symptoms
Although anxiety is a mental health issue, there are physical manifestations of the disorder. The following symptoms are generally correlated with anxiety:
- Dry mouth
- Shaking or trembling
- Excessive sweating
- Increased fatigue or tiredness
- Difficulty sleeping
It is important to note that these physical symptoms are not just limited to the workplace; you might experience them at home as well. Be mindful of this when taking inventory of your health when determining if you experience workplace anxiety.
How to Begin Overcoming Workplace Anxiety
Communicate with Your Boss
Although it might be uncomfortable to discuss your mental health with your superiors at work, informing your boss of your work anxiety might open new doors for you. Despite treatments for workplace anxiety, it is unlikely that it will completely disappear on its own.
Opening up with your employer allows you to offer an explanation for certain habits, such as lack of interest or difficulty concentrating. This could also allow the opportunity for your boss to work with you and your anxiety, as well as educating others to recognize their own symptoms.
Move Forward with Treatment
The benefit to recognizing your anxiety at work is that you can now move forward with treating your mental health. Treating anxiety can take many forms and there is no one way to lessen your anxiety. However, the following treatments can help:
- Change in lifestyle: Exercise and diet can both affect your mental health. Carving out time in your day to move your body and eat healthy foods can decrease your levels of anxiety.
- Counseling: Regularly seeing a therapist or simply having someone to talk to can greatly reduce feelings of anxiety. Engaging in psychotherapy is proven to help those with mental health issues.
- Drug Free Treatments: Remember, we live in an age where there are effective are drug- free anxiety treatments.
Anxiety looks different for everybody, but identifying how your workplace anxiety might look is a key step in feeling better. To get started on the journey to bettering your mental health, reach out today.