10 tips from a psychologist on coping with anxiety at work

Navigating the workplace can be stressful — especially for individuals dealing with anxiety.

We couldn't find any hard data on which work settings are more appropriate for anxious people.However, according to Dr. Marla Deibler, these individuals should avoid limiting themselves.

Deibler, a licensed clinical psychologist and the executive director of The Center for Emotional Health of Greater Philadelphia, notes that avoidance is a major factor in maintaining anxiety.

"Thus, those who struggle with anxiety should strive to fully participate in life, despite their bodily experience of anxiety — anywhere at anytime," Deibler says. "Being willing to fully experience themselves and their private experiences (thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, etc.) and being accepting of that range of experiences while continuing to act on with what is important to them will lead them to in the direction of ceasing the struggle with anxiety."

Deibler provided Business Insider with some crucial tips — from symptom management strategies to changing your entire mindset — for handling anxiety in the workplace.

1. Don't suppress your anxiety

Stifling your feelings is counterproductive.

"Everyone experiences anxiety," Deibler says. "It is a normal response to stress. Let it in when it shows up. Practice acceptance. Rather than trying to push it away (which tends to be futile, resulting in feeling more overwhelmed and less in control), make room for anxiety. It is showing up to try to bring your attention to something."

Deibler says that, by allowing space for some anxiety at work, you'll render it less bothersome in the long run.

2. Be mindful

Check in with yourself once in a while.

"Examine anxiety with curiosity when it shows up, rather than rejecting it," says Deibler. "What do you notice when it shows up? What are you thinking and feeling?"

3. Invite anxiety along for the ride

Confront your anxieties head on. If you're nervous about public speaking, take point on a presentation. If you're afraid of talking to your coworkers, try to strike up a conversation.

"Push yourself to enter situations that lead to anxiety in order to demonstrate to yourself that you can persevere and succeed despite anxiety," Deibler says. "Exposing yourself to anxiety provoking situations, rather than avoiding them, helps to change your relationship to anxiety and increase your confidence in these situations."

4. Practice self-care

Don't forget to take care of yourself.

"Attend to your own feelings and healthy lifestyle practices: good nutrition, sleep, and exercise are important to well-being, resilience, and healthy stress management," Deibler says.

5. Remind yourself that your mind is not always the best advisor

Sometimes, you can't trust yourself.

"Our minds like to constantly tell stories, analyze, judge, give advice, and criticize," Deibler says. "Sometimes these thoughts are supremely unhelpful to us. Observe what your mind does. Notice the thoughts. Note that they are not objective truths. You get to decide whether the thoughts are worthy of your attention."

6. Take a break

Deibler notes that changing your pace or scenery from time to time actually helps with managing anxiety.

7. Stay connected

You can get by with a little help from your friends.

"Social support is vital to managing stress," says Deibler. "Maintain connections to family and friends. Talking with others can do a world of good."

8. Relax

Engage in exercises that relax your body and set your mind at ease.

"Diaphragmatic breathing or other relaxation inducing practice (e.g., mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery exercises, tai chi, yoga) can reduce stress by helping to encourage the relaxation response."

9. Lay off the coffee

When it comes to managing anxiety, that latte in the morning is your worst enemy.

"Keep caffeine consumption to a minimum, as it can increase heart rate and physiological symptoms of anxiety," Deibler says.

10. Seek professional help

Remember, you don't have to go this alone.

"Sometimes anxiety can be difficult to manage without professional help," Deibler says. "A clinical psychologist who provides cognitive behavioral therapy can assist individuals in learning to better understand anxiety and change their relationship to their anxious thoughts and feelings. Concerned coworkers and employers might also choose to express their concern for a colleague and help to normalize the experience and encourage the individual to seek help."