To deal with work anxiety, focus on self-care (sleep, diet, exercise, breaks), manage tasks by breaking them down and setting boundaries, practice relaxation (breathing, mindfulness), identify your triggers with journaling, communicate with your boss, and build confidence through preparation and self-compassion, seeking professional help if needed.
If you are having trouble dealing with anxiety and stress levels at work, here are some positive steps you can take:
Potential causes of work-related anxiety
Those who suffer from anxiety disorders can experience many issues in the workplace. When anxiety stops them from working, it can be hard to try a different career path or know how to get treatment. Below we'll outline some steps to take and some treatment options to consider when anxiety stops you from working.
Contact your GP or a mental health doctor
During these sessions, you work with a therapist to understand the causes and triggers of your anxiety. You then learn and practise coping techniques to help you better manage triggers and symptoms going forward.
The 555 rule for anxiety is a grounding technique that uses deep, rhythmic breathing (inhale 5, hold 5, exhale 5) to calm the nervous system, often combined with the 5-4-3-2-1 senses method (5 things you see, 4 you touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste) to shift focus from anxious thoughts to the present moment. It acts as a quick mental reset, interrupting worry loops and bringing a sense of control by anchoring you to your physical surroundings and breath.
The #1 worst habit for anxiety isn't singular, but avoidance (procrastination), poor sleep, and negative thought patterns (like catastrophizing) are top contenders, creating vicious cycles where anxiety fuels these behaviors, and the behaviors, in turn, worsen anxiety by preventing healthy coping and creating more stress. Other significant habits include excessive caffeine, poor diet, too much screen time, and social withdrawal, all disrupting the body's ability to manage stress effectively.
Teas for stress and anxiety relief
The rule is simple: Commit to doing the task for just five minutes. That's it. Once you get over the initial resistance and begin, even if only briefly, something shifts. Momentum builds, anxiety decreases, and your brain transitions from avoidance to engagement.
If your anxiety consistently interferes with your ability to perform tasks, compromises your well-being, and doesn't improve despite efforts to manage it, it might be time to consider leaving your current work situation.
Five key signs of work-related stress include physical symptoms (headaches, fatigue, sleep issues), emotional changes (irritability, anxiety, mood swings), cognitive difficulties (trouble focusing, poor decision-making), behavioral shifts (withdrawal, increased substance use), and performance decline (lower output, errors, procrastination). These signs often manifest as a persistent feeling of being overwhelmed, leading to physical tension, mental fog, and strained relationships at work and home.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective form of psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. Generally a short-term treatment, CBT focuses on teaching you specific skills to improve your symptoms and gradually return to the activities you've avoided because of anxiety.
For some people, extra-long work hours, high stress, a lack of support from managers and co-workers, and related factors can lead to someone developing anxiety at work, Gruttadaro says. Other situations that might make you anxious include: Dealing with issues at work. Giving presentations.
Defining high-functioning anxiety
They often are successful in careers or other roles, yet internally struggle with persistent feelings of stress, self-doubt and the fear of not measuring up. They feel extremely uncomfortable inside and struggle with significant self-criticism.
If so, you're not alone. Dreading work isn't just about being tired or needing more coffee—it's a deeper feeling. Maybe you're overwhelmed by your workload, dealing with toxic dynamics, or feeling like your job just doesn't fit anymore.
Vitamin B1 for Mental Clarity
B1 is one of the best vitamins for stress. It's essential for your brain's energy supply because it supports healthy nerve function and helps your brain use glucose (its main energy source). Without enough B1, you might experience irritability, fatigue, and feelings of anxiety.
Magnesium can help manage anxiety and insomnia by regulating serotonin and improving brain function, explains Dr. Madrak. Plus, it can improve other areas of our health, including digestion, cardiac function and sleep patterns. Suggested dose: Up to 250 milligrams before bed.
There are several things you can try to help combat anxiety, including:
Five common anxiety symptoms include excessive worry, a racing heart, trouble sleeping, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating, often accompanied by physical feelings like a churning stomach, shortness of breath, and muscle tension, alongside irritability. These symptoms can be persistent and interfere with daily life, signaling the need for professional help.
5-4-3-2-1 exercise for anxiety FAQs
It involves identifying 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. By doing so, it helps shift your focus from anxiety-provoking thoughts to the present moment.
Bad Habits That Can Hurt Your Brain
Here's what we know — and don't know — about some herbal supplements:
What to avoid saying to someone with anxiety?