Anxiety is a normal emotion experienced by everyone. This is a form of anticipation for something unexpected that could arise. One of the common anxieties felt by people today is work anxiety or anxiety about work. Anxiety like this will be very disturbing because it reduces productivity at work and social relationships.
Work anxiety can occur in various forms and intensities, affecting mental and physical health, as well as overall well-being. Therefore, everyone needs to recognize the symptoms that appear and how to deal with them. If work anxiety is left untreated, not only will performance decrease but mental health will also be affected.
There are many cases that arise because someone experiences work anxiety, and the worst thing is that it can hinder a career. Of course you don't want something like this to happen, right? Therefore, everyone needs to study their emotions wisely. One way is to know what work anxiety is and how to overcome it below.
What is Work Anxiety?
Work anxiety is a feeling of anxiety or worry that arises in a person regarding their work. This is a form of disturbance that unknowingly arises in a worker when something does not match expectations. For example, the workload given turns out not to be in accordance with the initial agreement.
Work anxiety itself includes several aspects. These include excessive responsibility, work performance, relationships with colleagues, job security, and work-life balance. Someone feels this and makes them feel insecure. Anxiety at work can be dangerous if not treated immediately.
Causes of Work Anxiety
Someone who experiences excessive anxiety must have a specific cause. Likewise, work anxiety has several causes, and this is often a combination of several things. The following are some common causes of work anxiety:
1. Excessive Workload
The first cause of work anxiety disorder that appears in a person is excessive workload. Many workers are unable to handle this workload, where they are given various responsibilities that sometimes do not match their educational background. This will only cause stress for them.
2. Deadlines Are Too Tight
Everyone has their own ability to complete their work. Some take a little longer and some are able to complete it in a short time. But giving a deadline or short deadline is also not a wise decision. This will only make someone feel depressed.
3. Worried About Performance
Another workplace anxiety that can arise is worry about performance or work performance. The feeling of fear of not being able to meet the expectations of superiors or colleagues often haunts a person. As a result, they focus too much on this and it actually interferes with their main work.
4. Unsupportive Work Environment
Sometimes the cause of work anxiety disorder can also come from outside, namely because of an unsupportive work environment. Too many conflicts occur so that someone is uncomfortable at work. For example, from the workplace, co-workers, to bosses who are too authoritarian.
5. There is a Mental Disorder
Apart from external causes, a person who experiences anxiety at work may originate from themselves. Where he did suffer from certain mental disorders which affected his work. When the person is mentally unhealthy and combined with the job, this can become a source of excessive anxiety about work.
Symptoms of Work Anxiety
The symptoms that appear from work anxiety sufferers can vary, this depends on the physical and mental condition of the sufferer. Following is the complete review.
1. Experiencing Excessive Worry
Everyone has to worry about something, but work anxiety sufferers have excessive worries that interfere with their performance. These concerns can be about performance, deadlines, and relationships at work. If feelings like this appear continuously and uncontrollably, then be aware of them as early symptoms of work anxiety.
2. High Stress
Next is experiencing stress, the emergence of which is very difficult to control. This can cause a person to feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of their work. Apart from that, high stress also causes other problems such as problems with both mental and physical health.
3. Extreme Sleep Disturbance
Insomnia or sleep disorders can also be a symptom of someone suffering from work anxiety. If many people think this disorder is caused by excessive caffeine consumption, then this could also be another form of warning from the brain. Where someone can't sleep well because they keep thinking about work, from responsibilities to anxiety related to it.
4. Physical Disturbances Appear
Other symptoms that may appear are physical disorders, where pain appears in certain areas. For example, experiencing headaches, stomach aches, muscle tension related to work stress. Physical illnesses can arise from a person's excessive anxiety about one thing, one of which is work.
5. Constantly Tired
When someone is tired and then rests, it usually goes away immediately. But fatigue caused by work anxiety does not go away easily, they will continue to experience fatigue even though they are not doing much activity. Even if you get enough sleep, fatigue still appears and continues to increase every time.
6. Procrastination
The desire to always put off work can be a sign that someone is experiencing work anxiety. Procrastination or avoiding responsibility is not a wise thing, therefore if this feeling continues to appear it could be something to be wary of.
The Impact of Work Anxiety On Routine
Someone who suffers from work anxiety, not only disrupts their work but also their daily routine. The impact can be very bad if not treated properly and as soon as possible. The following is the impact of work anxiety on routine.
1. Decreased Productivity
Feelings of anxiety, especially about work, can reduce a person's productivity. In this case, it is not only work productivity but also daily routines, such as domestic work and relationships with other people. Energy that should be used well actually runs out because you are too anxious about work.
2. Difficulty in Managing Time
A symptom of work anxiety is that the body constantly feels tired. This can make it difficult for someone to manage their daily schedule, from work to personal life. They feel like they don't have enough time to complete existing responsibilities or fulfill obligations that are due. In the end, procrastination is the last resort for someone suffering from work anxiety.
3. Decreased Sleep Quality
The adult human body needs at least 7-9 hours to sleep. Not only sleep but also good quality so that the body gets maximum rest. But someone who is constantly anxious will have disturbed sleep. As a result, they experience a decrease in sleep quality, which impacts their activities the next day.
4. Social Activities are Disrupted
A person who experiences anxiety disorders, especially anxiety at work, will tend to withdraw from social activities. They look more gloomy in crowds, and find it difficult to interact with family and friends. Of course this can affect the balance of personal and professional life.
5. Health Problems
The symptom of work anxiety is prolonged stress, which can cause problems with the sufferer's physical health. Apart from being anxious, they also have unhealthy lifestyles, giving rise to illnesses such as headaches, sleep disorders, digestive problems which ultimately disrupt daily activities.
How to Overcome Work Anxiety
Work anxiety or work anxiety is not something that cannot be overcome. In fact, sufferers who have the desire to recover can make various changes within themselves, such as adjusting their lifestyle, stress management, and social support. Here are several ways to overcome work anxiety:
1. Identify the Source of Anxiety
If someone wants to overcome a problem, the first step that can be taken is to identify the source of the problem. In this case, identify the source of anxiety. After knowing the source of the problem, the next steps can be carried out more easily because they are tailored to the problem.
2. Manage Time and Priorities Wisely
People who have problems with anxiety at work sometimes have a mess of priorities. Not all work has to be done by ourselves, sometimes the work can be delegated to lighten the responsibilities carried out. Set time and priorities realistically to avoid work delays.
3. Learn Relaxation Techniques
As an adult, someone should have the ability to manage their own stress. One way that can be done is to learn relaxation techniques, this aims to calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety. Doing physical activities such as running, yoga, or walking can also help relieve excessive stress.
4. Have Limitations in Doing Something
One must have an awareness of the limits within which they can work. Therefore, set clear boundaries regarding work and rest time. Don't take work home because it can interfere with time that should be used for rest.
5. Build Social Support
Next is building social support with colleagues or close friends at work. In the end, a person cannot always keep everything to themselves. Start learning to share so that stress can subside slowly. You can also get new perspectives from people around you if needed.
6. See a Professional If Necessary
Not everyone can solve their problems on their own, especially if they already suffer from work anxiety. If you have tried the various methods above but have not produced results, then going to a professional could be the best way. You don't need to worry about the views of people around you, the most important thing is how to relieve this anxiety.
That's a review of work anxiety, starting from the meaning of this term to how to overcome it. Everyone definitely has their own anxiety, but if this anxiety has affected work and social life then you need to be careful. Sufferers of work anxiety disorder need to recognize the symptoms and how to cure them. Hope it is useful!
.jpg)
