Struggling with anxiety can be extremely difficult, especially when learning how to manage this mental health condition in the workplace. Anxiety can make it extremely hard to focus and makes it challenging to get everything that you need to get done, done.
If you find yourself struggling with anxiety while at work, there are a few things you can do to put yourself in a better, calmer place. Let’s take a look at a few strategies for coping with high levels of anxiety in the workplace.
Take Breaks
There is no harm or shame in getting up from your desk throughout the day and taking a break. Whether you go for a 10 to 15-minute walk, sit in your car and listen to music, or utilize your office gym, getting up and moving can help take your mind off the other things that are bringing you down. Your brain needs oxygen just as much as the rest of your body, and getting your heart rate elevated for even a few minutes can have wonderful effects on your mood. If you already come into the workday with a lot of stress, anything at work that’s remotely stressful can make things worse. Try and get up when you need to.
Slow Your Breathing Down
When struggling with anxiety, it’s common to experience a hard time breathing normally. To catch your breath, you need to focus on slowing your breathing down. In order to do so, you can take deep breaths. Sit up straight in your chair, breathe in deeply for five seconds, and then breathe out. Repeat as needed. This is just one of the many mindful breathing techniques that can help calm you down and clear your mind.
Talk to Someone!
Whether you have a trusted therapist, a BFF, or an office confidante, it’s important to be able to find someone you feel you can confide in. It’s important to do so because if you find yourself struggling, practicing talk therapy can really help. Someone on the outside of the situation may be able to give you a clear perspective and help you figure out ways to get through what you’re going through. Just make sure that the someone you reach out to is someone that you can fully trust.
It’s important for anyone struggling with anxiety or another mental illness to know that they’re not alone. In fact, 350,000,000 people around the world suffer from some form of depression. So many people struggle with some form of anxiety or depression on a daily basis, and you’re probably not even the only person in your office dealing with this condition.
Make sure you can reach out for help and find ways that will help yourself calm down if you are ever in a bad situation at work.
