Tips for Starting a New Job When You Have Anxiety
Starting a new job can be exciting, but you may feel a lot of anxiety as well. I've had my share of feelings of nervousness and it's easy to let those feelings get the best of you. I've learned a few things in my life that have helped me deal with this type of situation. Here are some great tips for having a successful start to your next job when you suffer from anxiety.
Starting a new job can be a stressful time. You don't know how you're going to fit in, what your colleagues are like and whether you'll be able to do the job. It's not surprising that many people feel anxious.
Specific Tips to Reduce & Manage Anxiety Your First Week
Here are some tips from a therapist for having a successful start to a new job when you suffer from anxiety:
Talk about your anxiety with someone who is close to you.
This could be your partner, friend or family member. They may just be able to listen while you talk through your fears, or they may have useful advice and experience to share with you.
Many people try to take the approach of ignoring their anxiety. But that often makes it worse. Instead, talking about it gives voice to your feelings and lets you think it through.
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash downloaded 8/21/22
Write Down Your Worries
Write down what worries you about starting this new job, and then write down how likely it is that these things will actually happen.
Often, anxiety comes from our brain confusing something that is possible with something that is likely.
Keep this list somewhere safe so that if you start feeling anxious about starting work again, you can look at it again and remind yourself that most of these things aren't likely to happen at all.
Consider Where Your Worries Are Coming From
If you feel anxious before going into work, ask yourself why? Is it because of something specific that happened last time or just because this is a new job? If it's the latter, then remind yourself that it's normal for new jobs to be a little stressful. If it's because of something specific, then think about whether there is anything you can do to change things.
Meet Your Coworkers
Get out there and talk to people! It's important that you start getting to know people right away so that when things get busy later in the year, you'll have some support around you when things get stressful or difficult.
If you let your anxiety keep you from meeting people that first day or two, it will get harder and harder to put yourself out there. Remember that coworkers are people too. They have lives outside of work, just like you do. If you're feeling anxious about meeting your new coworkers, take some time to think about what might be making you feel this way. Is it because they're going to expect a lot from you right away? Or maybe it's because they all seem so much more experienced than you and it makes you feel like an outsider?
View Your Anxiety Like a Wave
Anxiety is like a wave. It comes and goes, just like the tides. You don't have to stop yourself from feeling anxious. Just let it come and go, knowing that it will pass. If you can do that, it's much easier to ride out your feelings of anxiety without letting them take over your life.
Photo by Anupam Mahapatra on Unsplash downloaded 8/22/22
Exercise Helps Anxiety
Exercise is a great way to help reduce anxiety so it can help to intentionally make room for exercise and self care during early days of a new job. You'll feel better physically and emotionally after you exercise, so this can be a helpful strategy for managing your stress levels. Even if you only have time for a quick walk around the block or some stretching exercises at home, it will make a difference in how you feel when you get back from work.
Speak to a Counselor About Your Anxiety
If your anxiety is so bad that you feel like it's taking over your life, you should consider getting help. Talk to a therapist or a counselor about your anxiety. A mental health professional can give you advice on how to manage your stress and help you cope with it in a healthy way.
Counseling is a very effective form of anxiety treatment. And, your counselor can use a variety of different tools to treat your anxiety depending on what's causing your anxiety, how severe it is, your therapist's training and your preferences.
At Aspire Counseling, each of our therapists is trained in at least one (often more) evidence-based methods of treating anxiety. We believe you deserve to truly feel better, and we want you to know that your anxiety is treatable. Our clinicians are trained in exposure therapy techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy and/or EMDR. All of these have been shown to be effective anxiety treatments depending on the specific situation.
Begin Counseling for Anxiety in Missouri
You don't have to live with the weight of your anxiety. You CAN hold a job successfully. You CAN go out with friends and enjoy life. You CAN get a decent night's sleep. You CAN learn to manage your anxiety in ways that are healthy. Our counselors are here to help you do just that!
We currently have an office in Columbia, MO and also offer online counseling to anyone in Missouri. We are considering opening an office in the Blue Springs/Lees Summit area in the next few months as well.
So, if you live in Missouri and struggle with anxiety so much, you're worried about it impacting your career, contact us today to get started on a journey towards relief from anxiety.
About the Author
Jessica Tappana is the founder and counselor at Aspire Counseling. She understands the difficulties, and anxiety that comes with starting a new job, and a new life transition. Jessica is passionate about evidence-based treatment, and supporting those during big, or little, transitions of life, and welcomes all who come to Aspire Counseling.
