Workplace anxiety is something almost everyone experiences at some point. Whether it’s the pressure of a tight deadline, the nerves before a big presentation, or the stress of speaking up in meetings, anxiety can take a real toll on your mental and physical well-being. The good news is that there are plenty of strategies you can use to manage it, keep calm, and approach your work with more confidence.
We’ll walk through some practical tips and techniques on managing workplace anxiety to help you stay grounded and in control, no matter what’s on your plate.
Understanding Workplace Anxiety
Workplace anxiety can feel overwhelming, but it’s also perfectly normal. Everyone experiences it differently, and its impact varies depending on the person and the situation. You might find yourself feeling jittery before a big meeting, or perhaps you notice physical symptoms like a racing heart or sweaty palms. Other signs might include feeling overwhelmed by tasks, difficulty concentrating, or second-guessing yourself.
Common Triggers
Certain situations are more likely to trigger workplace anxiety. Meetings, for instance, can create pressure, especially if you’re expected to speak or contribute. Tight deadlines often have the same effect, making you feel rushed or worried about not finishing in time. Public speaking is another big one—whether it’s addressing a small group or presenting to an entire department, the fear of being judged can be paralysing.
While these situations are all quite different, they have one thing in common: they can spark self-doubt and increase stress levels, leaving you feeling anxious and out of control. We had a talk with the people at Siren Training https://sirentraining.com.au/p/mental-health-first-aid/, who offer a range of courses designed to help reduce anxiety and promote well-being in the workplace.
They offer Mental Health First Aid courses, Neurodiversity Training for workplaces, and Wellbeing Workshops—all of which can equip employees and managers with the skills to handle stress, support colleagues, and foster a more inclusive, understanding environment. The good news is, with the right strategies, you can handle these situations with more ease and confidence.
Preparation Techniques to Minimise Anxiety
One of the best ways to tackle anxiety is by preparing ahead of time. Whether it’s for a meeting, a presentation, or a project deadline, the more organised and clear you are about what’s expected, the more in control you’ll feel.
Plan Ahead for Meetings and Presentations
Preparation is key, especially when you’re walking into a meeting or giving a presentation. Having a clear sense of what’s going to happen can help reduce uncertainty and, in turn, lower your anxiety.
Start by reviewing the meeting agenda, if possible. Knowing what will be discussed gives you the chance to gather your thoughts and come up with any key points you want to contribute. If it’s a presentation, take the time to go over your slides or notes in detail. Practise speaking out loud to familiarise yourself with your material. The more you rehearse, the more confident you’ll feel when it’s time to present.
It can also help to visualise yourself in the meeting. Picture yourself speaking clearly and confidently, contributing to the discussion with ease. Visualisation is a powerful tool that can make the situation feel less intimidating.
Organise and Prioritise Deadlines
Deadlines can cause a lot of anxiety, particularly if you’re juggling multiple tasks at once. To manage this, break down your work into smaller, more manageable chunks. Instead of looking at the project as one big task, create smaller milestones and deadlines for each section. This makes the work feel more achievable and less overwhelming.
Using productivity tools, such as a task manager or a simple calendar, can help you stay on track. Writing everything down or setting reminders also helps you avoid last-minute panic and stay ahead of schedule.
It’s also important to set realistic expectations. If you’re feeling stretched thin, don’t be afraid to speak up. Politely ask for an extension or delegate some tasks if possible. Managing your workload in a way that’s sustainable will help reduce anxiety in the long run.
Rehearse for Public Speaking
Public speaking can be one of the most nerve-wracking experiences at work, especially if you’re not used to being in the spotlight. The best way to build confidence is through practice. Rehearse your speech, presentation, or even just your key talking points several times before the big day.
Try recording yourself to get a sense of your tone, pacing, and delivery. Listening to yourself can be uncomfortable at first, but it will help you identify areas where you might need to slow down or add more emphasis. If possible, practise in front of a friend or colleague who can give you constructive feedback.
Remember, everyone makes mistakes—what matters is how you handle them. If you lose your place or forget a point, just take a breath and move on. Most people won’t notice the small hiccups, and often, it’s our own perfectionist tendencies that make us overthink these moments.
Techniques for Staying Calm During Stressful Situations
Even with all the preparation, there will be times when anxiety creeps in, especially in high-pressure situations. When this happens, it’s helpful to have some quick and effective techniques to calm yourself down in the moment.
Breathing Exercises
When you’re feeling anxious, your body goes into fight-or-flight mode, which increases your heart rate and shallow breathing. One of the easiest ways to counter this is with deep breathing exercises. Slow, controlled breathing can activate the body’s relaxation response, calming your nervous system and helping you feel more grounded.
Try the 4-7-8 technique to reduce anxiety on the spot. Breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 7 counts, and then exhale for 8 counts. Doing this a few times will help slow your heart rate and calm your mind.
If you find yourself getting anxious in a meeting or presentation, it’s completely fine to take a moment to breathe deeply. Most people won’t even notice, but the pause will help you refocus and regain composure.
Mindfulness and Grounding Techniques
Mindfulness is a great tool for staying present when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Rather than getting caught up in thoughts about what might go wrong, mindfulness helps you focus on what’s happening right now.
Try using the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique: Look around and identify 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. This technique helps centre your attention in the moment and can be especially useful when you’re starting to feel distracted or anxious.
Another mindfulness technique is simply noticing your breath. Take a moment to check in with how you’re breathing—if it’s shallow, take a few slow, deep breaths. The simple act of paying attention to your breath can shift your focus away from anxiety and bring you back to the present.
Positive Self-Talk and Affirmations
It’s easy to fall into a cycle of negative thinking when you’re anxious. You might start telling yourself things like, “I’m not good enough” or “I’ll mess this up.” However, this kind of self-talk only fuels anxiety. Instead, try replacing negative thoughts with positive affirmations.
For example, if you’re nervous about an upcoming presentation, remind yourself, “I am prepared, I’ve practised, and I know this topic well.” Positive self-talk can shift your mindset from self-doubt to confidence, helping you stay calm and focused.
Long-Term Strategies for Reducing Workplace Anxiety
While preparation and quick relaxation techniques are great for managing anxiety in the moment, it’s important to have long-term strategies in place to prevent stress from building up over time. By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you can gradually reduce anxiety and build confidence in the workplace.
Develop a Support Network
Having a support network at work can be incredibly helpful for managing workplace anxiety. It’s not always easy to talk openly about how you’re feeling, but finding a trusted colleague, mentor, or supervisor to confide in can make a big difference. Sometimes, just knowing you have someone to turn to can alleviate a lot of stress.
Consider finding colleagues who are empathetic and understanding, and don’t be afraid to ask for feedback when you need it. Constructive feedback can help you recognise areas where you excel, which in turn boosts your confidence. If you’re struggling with a specific project or task, having a supportive colleague to brainstorm with can take the pressure off and offer a fresh perspective.
Don’t be afraid to open up if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Sharing your thoughts in a non-judgmental space can help you feel less isolated, and you may even discover that others are experiencing similar challenges.
Build Confidence with Regular Practice
Confidence comes with time and consistent effort. It’s easy to avoid situations that cause anxiety, but the more you push yourself out of your comfort zone, the more confident you’ll become in handling them.
Start small. If speaking up in meetings makes you anxious, aim to contribute at least once per meeting, even if it’s just a brief comment. Gradually increase your involvement as you become more comfortable. As you gain more experience, you’ll notice that these situations no longer feel as daunting.
Celebrating your successes, no matter how small, is an important part of this process. When you manage a difficult situation well—whether it’s leading a meeting, finishing a project ahead of schedule, or delivering a flawless presentation—acknowledge your accomplishment. This reinforces the idea that you can handle challenges, and it gives you a mental boost for the next one.
Seek Professional Support
If your anxiety feels overwhelming and difficult to manage, seeking professional support might be a helpful option. Speaking with a therapist or counsellor can provide you with personalised coping strategies and insights tailored to your situation. Therapy can also help you identify any underlying patterns of anxiety and give you the tools to work through them.
Many workplaces also offer employee assistance programmes (EAPs), which provide confidential counselling services. If your organisation has this service, it can be worth exploring. Having a professional to talk to can give you the emotional support you need and help you manage anxiety in a more constructive way.
Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle
Your physical health plays a huge role in how you manage stress. A healthy lifestyle can improve your mood, boost your energy levels, and reduce anxiety over time.
Regular exercise is one of the best ways to combat stress. Even something as simple as a daily walk can release endorphins, which are natural mood boosters. Exercise also helps regulate sleep patterns, which is essential for mental clarity and overall well-being.
Eating a balanced diet and maintaining good sleep hygiene are also key to managing stress. Try to avoid excessive caffeine or sugar, which can contribute to anxiety, and aim for a regular sleep schedule to ensure you’re well-rested and ready to face the day.
While it’s tempting to turn to alcohol or other substances to unwind, it’s important to be mindful of their impact on mental health. These can provide temporary relief, but in the long run, they often increase anxiety or disrupt sleep. Instead, find healthy alternatives, such as reading, journaling, or practising relaxation techniques.
Limit Perfectionism
One of the most common causes of anxiety at work is the pressure we put on ourselves to be perfect. Perfectionism often leads to burnout and increased stress, especially when we feel like we’re not meeting our own high expectations.
It’s important to recognise that no one is perfect, and mistakes are a natural part of any job. In fact, making mistakes can be a valuable learning opportunity. Give yourself permission to be “good enough” rather than striving for flawless performance all the time.
If you catch yourself overthinking or obsessing over small details, take a step back. Ask yourself, “Is this really important?” Often, our minds can blow minor issues out of proportion, making them seem bigger than they actually are. Practise letting go of small imperfections and focus on the bigger picture.
Practice Gratitude
Gratitude can shift your focus from stress to positivity. By regularly taking time to reflect on the things you’re grateful for at work, you’ll begin to see your job and workplace relationships in a more positive light. This can help reduce anxiety by providing a sense of perspective.
Take a few minutes each day to jot down what went well during your workday. Whether it’s a successful project, a compliment from a colleague, or simply having a productive morning, focusing on the positives can improve your outlook and help you feel more grounded in the present moment.
Managing Workplace Anxiety: Conclusion
Managing workplace anxiety isn’t about eliminating stress entirely—it’s about finding ways to cope effectively so it doesn’t overwhelm you. By preparing in advance, practising relaxation techniques, and building long-term habits like healthy living and a supportive work network, you can reduce anxiety and approach your work with more confidence.
Remember, it’s okay to feel anxious from time to time. What matters most is how you handle it. By using these strategies and gradually building up your coping mechanisms, you’ll find that you’re able to stay calm, focused, and resilient in even the most stressful situations.
No matter what you’re facing, know that you have the tools to manage your anxiety and keep moving forward. With practice, you’ll not only reduce stress but also develop greater confidence in your abilities and become a stronger, more composed version of yourself at work.