While everyone has to deal with anxiety once in a while, there is nothing worse than having that feeling bubble up inside you every morning before work. You may even be at the point where you’re thinking about changing careers or quitting because your job is the cause of so much negative energy. However, there are ways to deal with anxiety at work in a positive way so that you can be both happy and productive at your job.
Don’t Deny Your Negative Feelings
You might feel that your negative attitudes and anxiety will ultimately get you in trouble at work, so you probably bottle them all up. This can make you physically ill and even put you at risk for a heart attack.
Instead, acknowledge your feelings and face them. This is the first step toward understand what is causing your anxiety.
Communicate with Your Anxiety
If you know the cause of your work anxiety, then ignoring it won’t be of much use.
Instead, listen to your own thoughts and fears and then deal with them one by one instead of trying to face everything head on. You can even write them down so you can better understand the root of your fear and worry.
Accentuate the Positive
Once you understand the cause of your work anxiety, you can then start to harness that negative energy and turn it around into something positive.
For example, if your boss just gave you a large project and you’re anxious about meeting the goals he or she has set, make a list about how achieving this goal will benefit you. When you can see a positive outcome, your anxiety levels won’t be as high.
Step By Step
When you’re given large projects or have a lot on your plate, this is sure to cause anxious feelings. Instead of trying to blunder ahead or switch from one project to another, prioritize your work.
Get a large dry-erase board and list what you need to do first. As you finish tasks, wipe them off the board. This will give you a sense of accomplishment and ease your anxiety.
Practice Positivity
Changing your attitude is never easy when you suffer from anxiety, but if you practice being positive about your goals, you will find they are more attainable.
Negativity drags you down and traps you in a vicious circle of anger and self-pity, which doesn’t help you or your career.
Have Conversations with Yourself
When anxiety threatens, tell yourself about positive outcomes, such as, “This project may be tough, but I get to work with team members who energize me.”
Remind yourself of your own self-worth as well. Have a positive mantra that you can repeat to yourself when you find yourself getting anxious.
Meditate
Meditation is a sure-fire way to ease anxiety. Practice it each night before bed.
Focus on your breathing and allow your mind a rest from worry and anxiety. It will have a positive effect on you when the morning comes, and you will find yourself ready to face whatever life throws at you.