Work-Related Stress & Anxiety

Is work-related stress getting the best of you or causing more anxiety than usual? With the multitude of roles we juggle in this modern world we’re living in, work-related stress and anxiety can be a burdensome challenge for busy professionals. Bringing work-related stress down to levels we can adequately cope with requires understanding the nuances of your specific work environment and personal life. If you feel overwhelmed or need extra support, reach out to our Chicago anxiety therapists to help you navigate these emotions.

In the meantime, here are some tips that can help you cope with work-related stress and anxiety:

1.    Identify where your stress is coming from: Take the time to identify and acknowledge the sources of your work-related stress and anxiety. Is it a demanding workload, difficult colleagues, or an inability to achieve a work-life balance that works for you? Understanding where your stress originates will allow you to develop a plan to manage it in the ways that work for you. You are not alone; our anxiety therapists can help you create a plan or pinpoint the root cause of your anxiety.

2.    Make self-care a priority: Busy professionals often prioritize their career over their own well-being. However, prioritizing self-care is essential to coping with work-related stress. It starts with your basic needs including getting enough sleep, eating healthy and adequate meals, engaging in physical activity you enjoy, and engaging in activities that bring you joy. There are many ways to alleviate stress and our Chicago therapists can help you find a coping strategy that fits with your schedule.

3.    Establish and maintain healthy boundaries: It can be difficult to set boundaries as a professional, but it's critical for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Boundary setting is essential in all areas of our lives. Set realistic expectations for yourself and communicate them clearly to your clients, colleagues, managers, friends, and family. It’s easier said than done, but our anxiety experts are trained to help you find language to set those boundaries.

4.    Practice stress-management coping strategies: There are many different things to consider when it comes to stress-management methods. These can include deep breathing, meditation, guided visualizations, yoga, and mindfulness practices. The best ones for you are the ones that you like and will use consistently.

5.    Find professional support: If your work-related stress and anxiety are affecting your overall ability to function, seeking professional support can make a substantial difference. A mental health professional can help you tailor and identify coping skills that work for you, manage symptoms, and work through any underlying concerns that may be contributing to your stress and anxiety.

Keep in mind, managing work-related stress and anxiety is an unfolding and ongoing process. It requires patience, self-compassion, and a commitment to prioritizing your overall well-being. By practicing these steps to improve how you cope with stress, you will improve your quality of life and hopefully find more fulfillment in your career. 

However, please keep in mind that it is possible to practice all of these suggestions and still not reap the benefits. Some work environments are not conducive to achieving a healthy work life balance and may require a re-evaluation of whether a change of work environment could be the solution you need.

If you could benefit from exploring these suggestions further, please reach out for a free 15-minute phone consultation with one of our Chicago anxiety experts to identify which of our therapists would be the best fit for your needs.