Anxiety is a common mental health challenge in the workplace. Awareness of the signs and symptoms is important for any employer or team member, as it can help create an open dialogue around mental health and wellbeing.
Symptoms of anxiety can affect both your physical and mental health. Common symptoms include feeling tense or wound up, heart palpitations and chest tightness, difficulty sleeping, sweating, nausea or stomach discomfort, difficulty concentrating, headaches and muscle tension. Symptoms such as difficulty making decisions, overwhelmed feelings of fear or dread, restlessness and difficulty staying still, racing thoughts and fear of losing control can also indicate anxiety too.
Employers and employees must become more aware of anxiety symptoms, causes, and treatments so that those suffering from it are better supported. By implementing simple measures like creating an open dialogue about mental health, providing resources such as therapy or counselling sessions, and offering flexible work arrangements, workplaces can create environments where everyone feels safe to ask for help when needed.
It’s important to be aware of how anxiety can affect your productivity and mental health so you can take steps to manage it better. Read our top tips for dealing with anxiety:
- Talk to someone – whether it’s a friend, family member or mental health professional, talking through your worries can be an incredibly helpful way of reducing stress and feeling supported.
- Practice mindfulness techniques – such as deep breathing exercises, yoga poses or writing in a journal – which can help ease anxiety.
- Spend time in nature – being outdoors is known to boost mood and reduce stress, so going for a walk or spending some time in the garden can help calm the nerves.
- Get organised – creating a plan of action can be hugely beneficial when it comes to reducing feelings of overwhelm, so use this time to make a list of all the tasks you need to do, and plan out how you’re going to tackle them.
So, from spending time outdoors to creating a plan of action for tackling tasks, many simple tips can help reduce feelings of overwhelm or stress. Taking regular breaks throughout the day is also key when dealing with anxiety; even just a few minutes away from work will make a huge difference in helping keep your energy levels up and reducing stress levels.
The workplace can play an important role in helping to address anxiety symptoms, that’s why creating a safe and supportive environment for employees is key to helping them manage their mental health. We can provide support for all your wellbeing needs from guidance and training to policies and strategies, just get in touch! Contact us at hello@hrrevolution.co.uk
