Work anxiety refers to stress reason by work that leads to anxiety, or the impact of an anxiety disorder at work. Either way, work anxiety can have negative effects and must be addressed to prevent poor outcomes both for employees and organizations.
- shaking or trembling
- dry mouth
- sweating
- a pounding/racing heart
- exaggerated startle reaction
- feeling jittery
- tiredness or fatigue
- feeling like there’s a lump in your throat
Causes of Work Anxiety
Work anxiety may be caused by a variety of characteristics of the work environment. It’s not at all unusual for certain major events to make you nervous or feel temporary moments of anxiety. For example, starting a new job or leaving an old one is sure to make anyone feel skittish. You spend so much time at work that if things aren’t going your way, it can feel overwhelming at times.
- a workload that is overly high
- lack of direction on tasks
- lack of perception of fairness
- lack of control over the work environment
- dealing with work conflicts
- meeting deadlines
- relationships with coworkers
- managing staff
- long working hours
- having a demanding boss
If you are living with work anxiety, it has probably taken a toll on multiple aspects of your life. Below are some of the most common effects of work anxiety, which can happen both within and outside the workplace:
- effects on personal life
- reduced job performance and quality of work
- effects on relationships with coworkers and superiors
- effects on your relationship with your romantic partner
- problems with concentration, fatigue, irritability, reduced productivity
Finally, you may be looking for common tips on how to cope with work anxiety. Know that anxiety at work can be contagious, and try to stay away from people who make you feel worse, as much as possible.
