How To Survive A Day Of Work With Anxiety

By Author: Brett Hoppough
Total Articles: 3
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Frequent anxiety sufferers will understand when I say that getting, and more importantly, keeping a job is incredibly difficult. It's especially challenging for those of us that have very social or customer oriented occupations. I've suffered from anxiety and depression for as long as I can remember and just the thought of dealing with customers makes me want to crawl under the covers and hide.

Just today, actually, I almost had to call in sick to work. The feeling was overwhelming. I woke up late, leaving me very little time to get ready for work. That right there instantly puts me in a bad mood. I hate being rushed and when I haven't got enough sleep or I'm just tired for one reason or anotherI pretty much hate everything in general.

Negative thoughts just kept flooding my mind. I'd think things like, "God I really don't want to deal with people today. I just want to be alone." And "I'm so sick of feeling like I'm under so much pressure. I'm always in the spotlight and I just need a break."

Somehow I managed to make it out the door. When I finally got to work (a half hour late), I almost kept driving ...
... and didn't go in at all. The closer I got to the door, the more intense the anxiety became. Again, I somehow got myself inside and ready to work. Several times though, I was extremely close to telling my boss that I was sick and needed to go home.

I made it through the entire night of work. I didn't think I'd even make it TO work, let alone stay the entire time. Do you want to know how I did it? Do you want to know how I've done it hundreds of times and managed to keep my job? It's simple. I substitute one obsession for another. It's really not that difficult once you get the hang of it.

Here's how I do it. Think of one thing in your life, or just a simple thought that makes you very happy. It could be an upcoming date with your significant other, a fun party you're going to this weekend, or something as simple as a sale they're having on your favorite kind of donuts. Take that thought and hold on to it. Don't let go of it no matter what you do. Focus on itobsess over it even. Make this thought the new thing that your mind is revolving around for the time being.

While all this obsessive thinking is going on, your body has to be set on a sort of "autopilot". Keep your mind focused on your "happy thought", while simply letting your body go through your everyday motions. 99.9% of the struggle is getting in the door at your place of employment. Once you're in and working, you'll naturally start to realize it's not as terrifying as you thought it would be. The same goes for any other place or setting that causes you great anxiety.

You might feel a little silly walking around with a permanent smile on your face for what seems like no reason to everyone else, but you only have to do it until the anxiety passes. Once you're in the door, you can start focusing on your work and get back to being you.

To sum things up in their most basic form, you need to find a happy thought to focus on and block out the cause of your anxiety. Meanwhile, you physically go on "autopilot" and keep doing your everyday tasks. Once you're "in the door", the coast is clear. That's how I get through those tough situations when anxiety is trying to rule my life. I really hope this method helps you too.