Reduce anxiety at work

Reduce anxiety at work

We live in a world of constant communication. Technology has paved the way for longer working hours and staying in touch with colleagues about work in the evenings and on weekends. It has created a mentality that we can be approached anytime, anywhere about work.

But what’s the cost when you are connected for such a long period of time? Stress and anxiety. Anxiety is a learned response to the stress that you are put under – it can cause feelings of hopelessness and undue frustration. So as the emails keep piling up and the phonecalls seem to keep on coming, we explore a number of ways to remove yourself from that anxious headspace.

1. Cut out the caffeine

Although you may feel you need a cup of coffee to start off the morning with a bang, caffeine can mimic anxiety symptoms including shaky hands, an upset stomach and a racing heartbeat. It rarely causes anxiety, but it can heighten your symptoms if you are already feeling slightly anxious.

2. Try not to overthink your stressors

Sometimes trying to get to the bottom of what is causing you to become stressed can make you anxious. Stress isn’t always going to go away. Some occupations will always accrue some sort of stress. Practicing mindfulness at work can have a positive effect when tackling stress. It enables you to appreciate the present and gives you the tools to see stress from a different angle.

3. Try accepting the anxiety

Have you ever been waiting to conduct a presentation and you start getting a racing heart, the shakes and cold sweats? You can either remove yourself from the situation or accept the feeling of anxiety and move forward. Accepting anxiety can simply be sitting there in silence while you let the feelings pass.

4. Take a step back

Taking a short walk, meditating for five minutes or just releasing tension for 30 seconds can all help with removing anxiety. There are also a number of apps that can help to induce calm into your hectic day. Many anxiety sufferers have used such apps as Headspace and Meditation Oasis – after search you will find an abundance of choice.

5. Get moving

Any form of exercise is a mood lifter. The positive effects you can gain from it are well documented, including how it helps fight depression and anxiety symptoms. A healthy mind and body are interlinked.