Anxiety: Talking It Out
Cator Sparks
While there are many different types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and various others, workplace anxiety can affect nearly everyone in the office.
From doubting your conversation with a boss to not hearing back from a client in time, there are many ways those anxiety saboteurs can be sent into overdrive. Not to mention all the ways we communicate these days – The 100 emails in an hour, the curt response on Slack or the poorly worded text. Employees can oftentimes take what they read and build a story around it that has them spiraling. This is compounded by the increase in the telecommuting phenomenon we are currently experiencing. Sitting alone in your home over processing an email instead of being in a work environment to see that person face to face just adds an added layer of anxiety to the situation.
There are many ways to handle anxiety, from getting enough sleep, limiting alcohol, eating healthy, and exercising, but one we have found most important in the office is simply talking it out.
As we can attest to, direct communication works, so if you feel like someone is irritated with you, bring it up. If you aren’t sure what your boss is thinking of your performance, schedule a meeting. This can go for situations in the home as well. When a partner is acting distant, or a teenager is being short, ask them for a sit down and open up.
The more we speak up, the more we talk it out with an open mind and heart, the more we realize that it (whatever “it” is), is often in our head. Half the time the person just forgot to respond to a text or was juggling 12 things and just shot back a quick and curt reply.
One way to get others to open up is initiating the vulnerability from your side. Try something like, “After reading your email my anxiety shot through the roof, so I wanted to come to you and see if we could discuss it.” This way the other person has seen your guard down and feels more comfortable opening up.
This also goes for the times when you doubt yourself on your quality and pace of work. If you feel like you aren’t meeting your company's expectations, imposter syndrome kicks in big time. This is a great time to ask you co-worker for a quick chat. If the person you are feeling anxious about is near, invite them out for a safe and socially distanced drink or coffee (if you are able), and have that much-needed human interaction we have all been lacking for the past year.
Feeling stuck in how to speak up? This is the perfect topic to work with a life coach on. Coaches can work with clients on building confidence and even role playing to get a feel for how the conversation could go. Speaking up, speaking directly, and leaning in to a little vulnerability, can relieve lots of anxious moments in life. While it can sometimes feel like a big step, opening up is the first step in moving forward.
