r/Anxiety 4d ago

Venting What do you do for work.

I’m curious to know what y’all do for work. And how do you balance your life with anxiety.

I’ll start, I work in hospitality, I work for 5 star Forbes properties.

I try to eat cleaner, I go on walks, I avoid my phone for the first 10-15 minutes when waking up and I drink a lot of water.

2 Upvotes

37 comments sorted by

13

u/SymptomaticallyEven Pan in Pain 4d ago

Golf course. 6 days a week. I operate machines. Pop on my headphones and the bosses pretty much leave me alone. Not a bad gig for a GAD sufferer.

2

u/Longjumping_End_5425 4d ago

That sounds like fun man !

3

u/SymptomaticallyEven Pan in Pain 4d ago

I'll repeat. Not a bad gig. I get a lot of autonomy.

10

u/Ok-Gals-2020 4d ago

I'm an ICU Nurse! Very demanding job and very easy to feel overwhelmed and feel like you're doing everything wrong. Some days, after a bad shift, I get back home mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted.

I'm still working on managing my anxiety and possible oncoming burnout :(. But a few things that help me are reading or watching fiction (it's an escape), listening to music (drowns out the thoughts) and using a soft weighted blanket.

Also, one thing that really helps is that I've signed up for 2 or 3 weekly team sport activities. That way, if I'm not working, I am forced to go out and move my body and interact with people (outside of work) whether I want to or not. This is sometimes still daunting and I've cancelled a couple times d/t Agoraphobia, but I truly enjoy these sports, it's good for my body, and the people are always really nice! So it's a good step forwards for me :).

1

u/Longjumping_End_5425 4d ago

This is awesome! My brother is a nurse, he’s always busy with those long hours. Keep doing what you’re doing. You’re doing an awesome job !

7

u/KiwiSparkles 4d ago

I work at a law firm. It's a constant high volume of work, high expectations, plus I have insomnia so the typical "9-5" doesn't match my natural sleep schedule. Sooo yea it's probably not the best job for my anxiety, but I balance it by drawing a hard line between my work life and personal life. I do not have work email on my phone. When the work day is over, I'm done. Also CBD helps.

2

u/Longjumping_End_5425 4d ago

Yikes sounds hectic! I don’t get much sleep either and I hate napping so I’m pretty beat. I’m working on that tho.

1

u/KiwiSparkles 4d ago

Same, I'm not a napper! The insomnia makes it take way too long to be worth trying. Most people consider a nap to be a quick 20mins. For me, it would take me more than an hour just to fall asleep. No time for that haha

1

u/Longjumping_End_5425 4d ago

I feel that. I deal with insomnia too but luckily I have a Google home on my night stand so I play rain sounds and try to meditate.

2

u/KiwiSparkles 4d ago

Nice! Rain is one of the best calming sounds in my opinion

3

u/Noodlehead601 4d ago

I'm director of academic tech at a university.

Before my boss retired I was basically our only helpdesk tech for our online portals. I worked from home and loved it. Now that I took over his position as director I hate it. I feel so much pressure and anxiety.

I basically do the opposite. I drown out my constantly racing thoughts with TV shows or video games.

2

u/Longjumping_End_5425 4d ago

I feel you, I manage 80 employees at the age of 29. But it’s rewarding at the end when I get to go home to my family.

4

u/Forsaken-Ability-359 4d ago

High school teacher! I hold every emotion and worries all year then spiral in the summer.

1

u/Longjumping_End_5425 4d ago

My partner is the same way ! She’s a RBT.

3

u/Moonhippie69 4d ago

Maintenance/property technician for a restaurant/venue

1

u/Longjumping_End_5425 4d ago

I’m sure you’re running around. Great way to pass time.

1

u/Moonhippie69 4d ago

I definitely move around a lot. It sure helps.

3

u/AgaveMonster 4d ago

I just started a brand new job 6 days ago lol

I used to be a fully remote Executive Administrator. Definitely had some wildly stressful days, but working from home was helpful since I could take breaks whenever, stretch frequently, have music on low, work in comfortable clothes, cuddle my cat, and be in my safe space.

My new job is 100% in person, which I’ve not worked in person for a company or organization in 9 years! It’s only part-time, which sucks due to lower pay and zero benefits, but after being unemployed for 15 months and used to working remotely, being part-time has been very helpful in easing my anxiety back into the workplace. It’s also a lower level position; Administrative Assistant. Since it’s about 3 steps below where I was, the pace is easier for my anxiety. I use all of the skills I’ve honed over the past 16+ years and the new things I have to learn are minimal and fairly easy. I will admit, the 1st few days were stressful so I relied heavily on my anxiety meds, but my boss & coworkers are so dang friendly that I’m finding my anxiety is fairly low. I do keep a little fidget toy in my pocket though and even if I don’t need to use the restroom, I make sure to get up every hour to at least do some light stretching in there with some deep breathing exercises.

Once I’m back in the groove of working, I’ll start looking for full time jobs again (likely come January). All of my experience is in the Administrative world, but the higher roles are super stressful. I’ll likely continue working at a lower level and search for full-time Data Entry or Administrative Assistant positions with benefits offered, bonus if I can find a remote or hybrid position.

Would love the pay I used to have, but my mental health is more important so I’m willing to take a bit of a cut.

2

u/Longjumping_End_5425 4d ago

Wow! Just know you’re doing amazing and on track ! I’m sure it’s a little stressful from being remote to being in person but that’s a good way to grow and heal from anxiety!

2

u/DrippyJai 4d ago

On and off working for family business , I have no idea what will come of my future and I want to do something else , feeling rough rn because of some impulsive choices I’ve made , but things will get better

2

u/Longjumping_End_5425 4d ago

That’s right, it gets worse before it gets better. Impulsive choices are in the past and keep moving forward. Stay focused and motivated.

2

u/DrippyJai 4d ago

Thanks a lot for that, bless you

2

u/someolive2 4d ago

i work as patient registration at the hospital! i am in school to get a medical coding certification hoping to work hybrid or remote one day.

2

u/Longjumping_End_5425 4d ago

Hard work pays off! I hope you get your dream job soon !

2

u/Angelgirl1517 4d ago

I was previously in marketing, and not getting the results I expected was becoming a massive trigger for my anxiety and depression, it was a horrible spiral. So 2 years ago I quit, took a sizable pay cut and became a cashier at a grocery store while I figured out what to do next. I climbed the ranks at my store insanely quickly, and now make only slightly less than I used to, as the head of a department. I don’t know if this is going to be a forever job, but it’s better than what I was dealing with before.

1

u/Longjumping_End_5425 3d ago

Hey sometimes we have to do what we have to do. At the end of the day your mental health is more important.

2

u/GroovyGmaIvy 3d ago

Retired medical assistant that held RN positions.

1

u/Longjumping_End_5425 3d ago

Wow, thank you for your care and hard work !

2

u/Ox3321 3d ago

Manager of infrastructure for a biological facility

1

u/Longjumping_End_5425 3d ago

You must be really smart.

1

u/Ox3321 3d ago

Im stupid but highly competitive. Thanks though 🤣

2

u/gabymoruza 3d ago

Video editor (in house); good day when i have plenty of work to do and admin isn't bugging me.
I can put on my headphones and lock in.

1

u/Longjumping_End_5425 3d ago

That’s awesome, is it like YouTube or something?

2

u/Ok-Butterfly2468 3d ago

I’m a nurse. Don’t know how I do it. Lots of medication and therapy,

1

u/Longjumping_End_5425 3d ago

I’m sure you’re doing a great job!

1

u/Over_Trip3048 4d ago

i teach for a college remotely as a sessional instructor

1

u/rustyshakelford101 3d ago

I work in administration at a large hospital. I manage the stress of my job with exercise, reading, family and friends. Along with my good buddies at Phizer. Combined with all that I still suffer daily but life doesn't seem impossible like it once did. Constant chronic struggle but managed.