Looking for ways to deal with workplace anxiety? Here are three actionable steps.

Meet Marc Watson, a construction site supervisor who struggled with insomnia and job stress for years. Unaware of the actual cause, Marc focused on strenuous exercises to stay fit and avoid stress. Life was good until Marc began experiencing severe anxiety and frequent panic attacks, and he had no idea how to control it. 

Over 40 million Americans, just like Marc, suffer from an anxiety disorder. If the anxiety worsens, it leads to panic attacks, just like what happened to Marc.   

Anxiety, including workplace anxiety, can have a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms, including:  

• Heart palpitations  
• Sweating  
• Nausea and vomiting  
• Loss of appetite  
• Insomnia  

In addition, people dealing with anxiety might also experience:  

• Feeling hopeless  
• Fatigue  
• Difficulty concentrating  
• Irritability  

What Causes Workplace Anxiety?  

These emotional and physical symptoms can be associated with job stress, including a heavy workload, inability to get along with co-workers, having an uncaring boss, or lack of time off from work to rest and refresh your mind. Occupational anxiety is also common among military combat veterans, firefighters, police officers, and those in occupations with a high risk of trauma exposure, such as emergency medical personnel, nurse, and doctors. When the work pressure becomes too much, it can result in the development of anxiety.  

Three Steps to Deal with Workplace Anxiety: 

It’s important to know that anxiety is a treatable condition.   

Step-1: Before starting any treatment, seek medical attention to identify the cause and severity of your anxiety.   

Step-2: Work with your clinician to find the most effective treatments suitable for your conditions. Most common treatment options include:  

• Counseling and therapy  
• Medication  
• Stress-relieving exercises and meditation  

Step-3: Talk to your employer to find alternative job roles that may help you with:  

• Reducing stress  
• Limiting projects and deliverables  
• Maintain a work-life balance  
• Your ongoing therapy and treatment  

Everyone can handle workplace anxiety with proper care and support, including Marc, who sought help for himself after suffering from panic attacks. After practicing relaxation techniques and working with his employer, Marc, like others, was able to manage his anxiety levels at work and home.  

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