How to cope with workplace related anxiety

Coping with anxiety in the workplace is typically a difficult situation. If you are feeling overly stressed or angst-ridden when you're at work, you are not alone. According to a 2017 survey, 1 in 4 Americans feels work is a source of their anxiety.

Anxiety in the workplace is not uncommon and it's probably fair to say most people have experienced it at some point during their career. There are those who find a solution to eliminate it, others simply figure out ways to manage it.

If you find you are one of many others who cope with trying to manage anxiety at work or having difficulty dealing with the apprehensive and stressful feelings connected to your job, why not try to set a goal to eliminate it by making some positive changes in your life?

Separate home and work life

Yes, it might be hard - but one of the best things you can do is make a pact with yourself to separate your home life and work lives. According to statistics, 72% of people say their daily work-related stress and anxiety "moderately" interferes with their home lives. Many people who find themselves angst-ridden with their jobs typically talk about the job around the clock. If you find you fit into this category - take immediate steps to separate your home and work lives. When you are at work you may have to deal with the troubles and subsequent anxiety but you don't have to bring those headaches home with you. After you walk out that office door don't repeatedly rehash your day to your spouse, significant other, or friend, just let it go and focus on your home life instead.

If you can effectively do this, you'll probably find when you get back to work the next day you'll feel more refreshed. By taking your work troubles home with you, you don't give your body/brain a rest from the anxiety and it is important to take a break. Leaving your work issues at the office door is a great opportunity to get that much-needed break. An added benefit to this is that your work problems don't spill in and interfere with your personal or family life. Letting external events spillover can have disastrous effects on your relationships.

Avoid involvement in 'company politics'

It is easy to get wrapped up in office politics. Most people likely find they've found themselves in the midst of office gossip or politics. Sometimes it is hard to avoid getting involved and that's OK, but if you can escape being dragged into the company politics, by all means, bow out wherever possible because it's likely to be an anxiety and stress magnet. 

By avoiding gossip you'll most likely find your job will be far more pleasant and a good chunk of that anxiety you were feeling may simply evaporate. Office politics are not only angst-ridden, they often generate a lot of negative energy. This is energy better spent focusing on the positive aspects of your job. By redirecting your attention away from company politics you'll feel a huge weight lifted off your shoulders and as a result experience less anxiety.

Seek help

Sometimes situations get out of control where you can't escape the anxiety. It is bad enough to have anxious feelings, but if you feel helpless, chances this too can eventually spill over into your job performance and home life. If the situation is that bad it might be a good idea to speak to an employee assistance program representative if your company offers this kind of service. If not, a private counselor to talk to may help; if anything you can learn new coping skills in how to deal with work situations so you aren't feeling that awful anxiety. 

Redirect your energy

Another approach you can try is to see if you can discover any ways to effectively reduce anxiety through exercise, breathing, yoga or another like kind of release. This may help you cleanse your body of the negative energy and take the anxiety with it. You'll probably find any health problems associated with anxiety disappear too.

Anxiety in the workplace is not an easy problem to deal with, but if you can successfully learn how to either eliminate it or find the skills you need to cope in order to function, you'll have done yourself a good favor.