I suffer from anxiety and while I’m mostly okay, I happen to be going through a bit of a rough patch at the moment. I’m dealing with it positively while at home - going for runs, distracting myself (hooray for online monopoly!), eating well and no drinking - but at work it gets worse because I feel like I can’t escape it. The anxiety is always there. It’s an open-plan office so can’t get up and jump around a bit or keep stepping out for fresh air. Breathing exercises aren’t helping. So I’m asking for suggestions so I don’t sit here tearing my hair out - what can I do to combat anxiety symptoms while sat at my desk?
Are you on drugs? Drugs help most people. Also, maybe you could explain your situation to your boss and he/she will let you split for a bit…maybe break up your lunch hour into a few breaks during the day. Good luck.
When anxiety hits, I take to the stairs at work. For me, it’s the same sort of relief as running offers.
Think of it this way – if you smoked, you’d take a smoke break right? So take a stairs break instead.
I recently started a course of Cipramil (Celexa) and that should be kicking in soon, so that’ll help. My boss knows I’m a bit stressed and she’s been good about me having time off (I recently had to have leave to arrange a funeral). But I work for the National Health Service and we’re severaly short-staffed - I’m the only person in our whole ambulance trust who is available to do my job at the moment. So a week or so off isn’t really an option.
I do take breaks during the day and half an hour for lunch. I’m thinking more of stuff I could do while I’m sat here at my desk. Perhaps I could get a squeezy toy to squeeze. That might be good.
When all else fails, Klonopin (Clonazepam) will reduce your anxiety. Prescription only.
When a crisis occurs once or twice a year I take Klonopin for a couple of days to stop the escalating anxiety. Time out to exercise is not always available or long enough to chill me out. And I don’t drink.
Really, it never hurts just to go see a doctor to talk about having a medication available as needed; going for consultation will help you get a better handle on what’s going on.
However, no one should take much Klonopin for an extended amount of time because it is habit-forming. Another medication may be more suitable for more-chronic anxiety.
Take care,
JL