Anxiety at Workplace

When we talk about anxiety, we think that it can be expected in stressful situations like public speaking or during interviews. Anxiety is only one indicator of an underlying disease when emotions become overwhelming, all-consuming, and interfere with daily life.

When it comes to anxiety at the workplace, not each person can deal with it, they are struggling to socialize with their co-workers, meet deadlines, balancing professional and personal lives.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness. It might cause you to sweat, feel restless and tense, and have a rapid heartbeat. It can be a normal stress reaction.

What is Anxiety at the Workplace?

Workplace anxiety involves feeling stressed, nervous, uneasy, or tense about work, which could include anxiety about job performance, interactions with co-workers, or even public speaking.

Why do employees suffer from anxiety?

·????????Heavy workloads

·????????Working long hours

·????????Lack of autonomy

·????????Meeting deadlines

·????????Conflicts with colleagues

·????????Having a demanding boss

·????????Having a lack of direction in tasks

·????????Dealing with workplace bullying or conflicts

·????????Maintaining relationships with co-workers

·????????Experiencing a lack of perception of fairness

·????????Feeling a lack of control over the work environment

·????????Having a low reward (not enough pay, benefits, etc.)

·????????Poor management (lack of communication, micromanaging)

What are the effects of Work Anxiety?

If an employee deals with anxiety, it might be affected by a lot of things, it can be mental or physical. There are some common effects of work anxiety:

·????????Feeling isolated

·????????Experiencing a job loss

·????????Having reduced job satisfaction

·????????Noticing effects on personal life

·????????Noticing reduced confidence in your skills

·????????Planning less effectively

·????????Avoiding innovation

·????????Less productivity and quality of work

·????????Seeing effects on relationships with co-workers and superiors

·????????Developing problems with concentration, fatigue, irritability, reduced productivity

·????????Turning down opportunities due to phobias (e.g., fear of flying, fear of public speaking, fear of speaking in meetings)

·????????Feeling like what you do doesn't make a difference

·????????Experiencing reduced goal-setting and achievement

·????????Taking fewer risks and more likely to plateau in your career

·????????Having reduced social skills and ability to function within a team

How many people suffer from anxiety worldwide?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 3.6 percent or about 264 million individuals worldwide — have an anxiety disorder. Additionally, 4.6 percent of females and 2.6 percent of males globally are affected by anxiety.

How to overcome anxiety?

·????????Stay connected with co-workers and management.

·????????Try to identify the work pattern of your co-worker.

·????????Ask for help

·????????Adapt healthy habits

·????????Daily meditation

·????????Avoid unnecessary gossip

·????????Set a timeline to meet deadlines

·????????Stay neutral (speak politely, don’t jump into the arguments, Don’t conclude anything)

·????????Take a break.

·????????Seek professional help.

How can the organization help?

·????????Create A Friendly Environment

·????????Have an Open Door Policy

·????????Adopt a Confidentiality Policy

·????????Manage Expectations

·????????Promote Flexibility

·????????Offer Support

Anxiety is just a staircase of your life, other people can help you but not frequently, and you have to cope with your anxiety. Once you succeed in coping with your anxiety, at that time, you’ll enjoy working, feel motivated, and can meet deadlines.