Though not many people are aware of it, productivity anxiety is a widespread form of anxiety that is primarily caused by workload. The condition occurs when a person feels physically or psychologically stressed because they fail to meet the productivity threshold they have set for themselves.
With the world becoming increasingly more competitive, it is common to feel that you aren’t doing enough and thereby experience mental health struggles because of it. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NMIH), nearly 19 percent of adults in the US suffer from an anxiety disorder.
It would benefit any working professional to be able to recognize the major signs of being overworked, how anxiety is linked to it, and the different ways to reduce the chances of those signs and symptoms occurring. Through knowledge, it can be treated in a more timely manner. If you leave productivity anxiety untreated, it will only likely build up over time and will be detrimental to one’s health in the long run.
Pushing Limits
On the surface, a person with productivity anxiety might be the picture of success. He or she might be the first to reach the office and start working, dressed flawlessly, and with neatly-styled hair. To your coworkers, you are driven in your work, never missed a deadline, or underperformed in a task. In fact, you might always be will willing to help and guide others when required.
However, others might not know that beneath the veil of success, you are constantly trying to deal with anxiety. Your anxiety might stem from the fear of failure, nervous energy, or the fear of disappointing others.
While there are several potential benefits from being productive such as high achievements, being active, and improving your reputation, there are negative effects too. The anxiety surrounding your success might eventually come out.
The Signs of Productivity Anxiety
A high-functioning person is considered an overachiever. Nevertheless, judgment is short-sighted as it fails to consider the struggles of achieving that level of success. Here are a number of challenges you might face in your everyday life if you suffer from productivity anxiety:
- Nervous habits like cracking knuckles, playing with your hair, or biting your lip.
- Being a people pleaser, being afraid of driving people away, or the fear of letting people around you down.
- Working for long periods of crunch after a period of procrastination.
- The inability to say “no,” and always having an overloaded schedule.
- A racing mind.
- A constant need for reassurance.
- Tendency to dwell on the negative. Constantly having to deal with what-if thoughts and past mistakes.
- No or minimal social life. You are always turning down invitations to parties and other social events.
The best way to deal with productivity anxiety is by getting professional help. However, there are other ways to reduce the chances of becoming anxious at work too. Begin by setting aside 10 minutes of your day to focus on your mental wellbeing.
The next step is to make slight lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet, limiting caffeine, getting regular exercise, and investing in prescription sunglasses for sale online. Sleep hygiene is also quite important. Stick to a regular bedtime, and if you find your mind racing, get up and do something that makes you feel tired and want to rest.
In case you are haunted by a negative thought, try to overcome it by thinking of something more realistic or helpful. Develop coping strategies to deal with nervous habits like chewing your nails and biting your lip. Meditating or practicing breathing and muscle relaxation techniques can help.
Don’t Be Hard on Yourself
If you find yourself struggling with any of the signs mentioned earlier, chances are you suffer from productivity anxiety. The good news is that getting stuck in comparison games, feeling you are not enough, suffering from insomnia, and feeling shame or guilty can all be overcome. The key is to accept your vulnerabilities and be open to changing your life.
