Stress and anxiety at work is normal but if your not careful it can quickly get out of hand especially if you are prone to anxiety like me. You could be worrying about an upcoming presentation or a big meeting or project with a deadline looming over you. You may be stressed out thinking that you are about to get fired.
You may be dealing with a difficult boss or trying to navigate office politics. If you’re not careful this can quickly get out of control and you will be in a constant state of anxiety which is awful. I’ve been there so I know this feeling first hand. Here are some tips to help you deal with work anxiety.
Remember it’s just a job
At the end of the day it’s important to remember it’s just a job. If you screw up the world is not going to end. The sun is still going to come up tomorrow. Remembering it’s just a job doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it your best, it just means you need to keep things in perspective. On a personal note reminding myself of this when I’ve been seriously stressed out and at my wit’s end has helped immensely.
Save and invest
Knowing that you can walk away from your job at any moment and not end up in the bread line will give you peace of mind that you are not trapped. Worse case scenario you will know that you can walk away from your job if the stress is simply getting out of hand. This is one of the main reasons I decided to pay off my house.
Make your mornings easy
Waking up to a job that is causing you stress or that you don’t like sucks. It’s even worse if you are scrambling trying to get out the door in the morning especially if you have kids which always add a bit of unpredictability! So do yourself a favor and make it easy on yourself. Make your lunch in the evening for the next day. This also has the benefit of helping make sure you are eating healthy and you can save money too! It’s easy to spend $10-$12 or more every day at lunch if your not careful.
Also pick out what you are going to wear in the evening so you won’t have to try to figure that out in the morning. It may sound like a small thing but you’ll be surprised at how much calmer your morning can be if you don’t have to pick out your outfit or make your lunch.
Exercise
Make it a priority to exercise every day. I go after work but if you are a morning person try going before work. You’ll be amazed at how much better this can make you feel. Studies have shown that regular exercise can reduce anxiety.
Face your issues head on
If a deadline or project is causing you undue anxiety don’t procrastinate. Get started right away. It will make you feel better just to get started and before you know it you will have momentum.
Also if your anxiety is getting out of control don’t hide from it or try to self-medicate. Seek help from a professional as you may have an anxiety disorder. There is no shame or guilt that you should feel for wanting to address your mental health.
