Anxiety in the Workplace: Challenges, Resilience, & How It's Changing the Workplace
In the fast-paced, highly demanding world of work today, anxiety in the workplace is more prevalent than people may be aware of. It could be the stress of performing, meeting deadlines, or dealing with office politics, but the daily world of work can be a significant cause of anxiety-related problems. Anxiety, though, tends to be described as something negative; yet, increasingly, people are becoming aware of the complex, and at times positive, role anxiety can have in the workplace.
The Unspoken Challenges of Workplace Anxiety
Anxiety at work doesn't always mean simply "nervousness" in anticipation of the next big presentation. It can be chronic and highly interfering—presenting as trouble focusing, avoiding tasks, panic attacks, or physical complaints such as fatigue, head or stomachache, or nausea.
According to research, almost 40% of employees indicate high levels of anxiety at the workplace, but silence prevails because of the stigma surrounding mental illness. The silence has consequences: burnout, absenteeism, and lowered job satisfaction result. Employees are concerned about judgment, loss of opportunity, or loss of job in case of openness about their difficulties.
Common workplace triggers include:
- Excessive workload and unrealistic deadlines
- Lack of communication or ambiguous expectations
- Lack of autonomy or management support
- Toxic or competition-based workplace cultures
The Surprising Strengths of Anxiety
Here's where the story turns: anxiety is not entirely negative. It does present difficulties, but it can also present incredible strengths—particularly when it is understood and mastered.
Individuals with anxiety tend to exhibit:
- High emotional intelligence and empathy – They are sensitive to room dynamics and tuned in to people's moods.
- Vigilance – They are cautious, careful, and meticulous, usually performing well in tasks involving accuracy.
- High organizational and planning abilities – Fueled by the need to eliminate uncertainty, they can turn into very good planners and risk managers.
- In-depth creativity and self-analysis – Anxiousness can drive creative thought and the need to identify meaningful solutions.
Chaplain Support in the Workplace
Meeting anxiety head-on isn’t only an ethical issue—it’s one of business. Investing in mental wellbeing drives better performance, retention, and staff engagement.
For people:
- Practice mindfulness or grounding exercises throughout the day.
- Take breaks and establish clear boundaries
- Be candid to trusted co-workers or superiors when appropriate.
- Seek out aid such as anxiety tracking apps or therapy.
- Foster a culture of openness and psychological safety.
- Provide Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) or mental health service access
- Offer flexible working arrangements (e.g., teleworking, flexible working times).
- Train managers to be able to identify and respond to mental health issues using empathy and sensitivity.
Anxiety is never weakness, but rather human nature. It is always evidence of caring, concern, and investment. When supported, those who experience anxiety can perform at their best and contribute valuable strengths and resilience. By changing our perspective and treatment of anxiety in the workplace, we are one step closer to making spaces in which everyone can thrive—on their own terms, with dignity, and with support.