Dealing With Workplace Anxiety - How to Handle Anxiety at Work
Do you find yourself freaking out over things at work? You may be suffering from anxiety.
Workplace anxiety is becoming a major problem in the U.
S.
today.
The reasons are varied, but the result is almost invariably a reduction in productivity of employees.
Anxiety was once a necessary survival mechanism.
The word anxiety actually refers to the anxious feeling one experiences when placed in a fight or flight situation.
In today's modern world, the workplace seldom leads to situations that are actually life and death, yet many situations cause feelings of anxiety that the body interprets in the same manner.
Stress comes in two varieties.
Eustress is a good form of stress that results in heightened senses and abilities that lead to improvements in productivity and mood.
Distress is harmful stress that leads to anxiety if allowed to build without any form of relief.
Unfortunately, in today's economic climate, many people feel distress every time they about their job.
Anxiety is brought on by feelings of helplessness.
If a person feels that he has no control of what is going on around him, he becomes anxious.
With companies merging, closing down, and laying workers off in increasing numbers, many workers are left with the feeling that they have no control of whether or not they will have a job by the end of the day.
If a company is experiencing difficulties that could potentially lead to layoffs, the anxiety level among employees will be extremely high.
Many people feel that they are helpless even if they have a job that is relatively secure.
This is often the case when people have a job that is not really a good fit for their personality or ability level, yet they feel that they can not leave because of salary, benefits, or other aspects of the job that might not be easily matched in another position.
When this is the case, anxiety may build over a period of time that makes it go unnoticed until the person "snaps".
For employees, here are some tips to discuss with your employer.
The primary steps to reducing workplace anxiety include providing detailed job descriptions to each employee.
Allowing the employee to have input in producing the job description and negotiating any compromises will provide a more secure feeling for the employee.
If it is possible to do so honestly, reassure employees that their jobs are not about to disappear without notice.
Avoid overloading employees in an effort to cut costs.
Keep an "open door" policy in place to allow employees an outlet when they are becoming anxious about different aspects of the job.
These steps will reduce the amount of anxiety in the workplace and improve productivity of the workers while allowing them to feel that they have some control over their own lives.
Workplace anxiety is becoming a major problem in the U.
S.
today.
The reasons are varied, but the result is almost invariably a reduction in productivity of employees.
Anxiety was once a necessary survival mechanism.
The word anxiety actually refers to the anxious feeling one experiences when placed in a fight or flight situation.
In today's modern world, the workplace seldom leads to situations that are actually life and death, yet many situations cause feelings of anxiety that the body interprets in the same manner.
Stress comes in two varieties.
Eustress is a good form of stress that results in heightened senses and abilities that lead to improvements in productivity and mood.
Distress is harmful stress that leads to anxiety if allowed to build without any form of relief.
Unfortunately, in today's economic climate, many people feel distress every time they about their job.
Anxiety is brought on by feelings of helplessness.
If a person feels that he has no control of what is going on around him, he becomes anxious.
With companies merging, closing down, and laying workers off in increasing numbers, many workers are left with the feeling that they have no control of whether or not they will have a job by the end of the day.
If a company is experiencing difficulties that could potentially lead to layoffs, the anxiety level among employees will be extremely high.
Many people feel that they are helpless even if they have a job that is relatively secure.
This is often the case when people have a job that is not really a good fit for their personality or ability level, yet they feel that they can not leave because of salary, benefits, or other aspects of the job that might not be easily matched in another position.
When this is the case, anxiety may build over a period of time that makes it go unnoticed until the person "snaps".
For employees, here are some tips to discuss with your employer.
The primary steps to reducing workplace anxiety include providing detailed job descriptions to each employee.
Allowing the employee to have input in producing the job description and negotiating any compromises will provide a more secure feeling for the employee.
If it is possible to do so honestly, reassure employees that their jobs are not about to disappear without notice.
Avoid overloading employees in an effort to cut costs.
Keep an "open door" policy in place to allow employees an outlet when they are becoming anxious about different aspects of the job.
These steps will reduce the amount of anxiety in the workplace and improve productivity of the workers while allowing them to feel that they have some control over their own lives.
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