12 Effective Ways to Support Employees with Workplace Anxiety for a Healthier Environment

Employee mental well-being is now a hot topic worldwide. It's due to the changing work culture and rising workloads. They are facing a bunch of new challenges at workplaces. 

It's important to build a healthy workspace. We must promote, protect, and acknowledge positive mental health. A healthy work environment needs enthusiastic collaboration between leaders and employees. We will outline ways to support your employees' mental health and cover how to manage workplace anxiety disorder.

What is Workplace Anxiety?

Workplace anxiety disorder is an anxiety disorder triggered by stress from workplace functions. It is also known as ergophobia or work phobia. In simpler words, it is the anxiety about work-related activities. Though not a medical condition, if untreated, its effects will be severe. And it may affect both the employees and the business to a large extent.

Workplace anxiety disorder has no specific cause. But some factors are known to cause it. Once you know the early signs of work burnout, you can best support anxious employees. You will also learn what might cause stress at work.

Here are some of the common signs of workplace anxiety: 

• Constant mood swings or irritability
• Lack of proper sleep
• Frequent illnesses 
• Feeling jittery
• Persistent Fatigue
• A feeling of a lump in your throat
• Sweating
• Dry mouth
• A pounding or racing heart
• Shaking or trembling
  

The Significance of Mental Well-Being at Work

Tackling mental health issues at work is vital. It will boost employee performance and job satisfaction. Health and wellness programs can help businesses. They identify employees at risk for mental health issues and treat them to reduce symptoms and promote wellness.

Strategies to Help Overcome Workplace Anxiety

Employers can help employees suffering from workplace anxiety disorder with a holistic approach. Businesses that tackle employees' problems can help them feel more valued than anxious.

Here are twelve effective strategies to help anxious employees. They will also make the workplace better for everyone.

1. Create clear Workplace Guidelines for Health and Safety

Start building a healthy work environment. Create processes to prevent, identify, support, and rehabilitate people with mental issues, such as anxiety and distress. The establishment of rules against bullying and harassment is also very important.

2. Establish an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and talk about it frequently

Employee welfare programs, like EAP, can help with mental health issues. They can address work-related anxiety and emotional distress. Monthly newsletters or company-wide emails are vital. They must remind employees to use these programs. This will reduce workplace anxiety.

3. Reduce The Stigma Associated With Mental Health Issues or Concerns

Normalizing mental health discussions at work reduces the stigma around them. It's vital to encourage employees to raise their issues, both in meetings and in person.

4. Provide Supervisors and Managers With Mental Health Training

Mental health training can help employees spot signs of distress in each other. This includes workshops, webinars, and resource guides on how to cope. Mental health training for management can cover topics such as:

• Identifying and responding to warning signs
• Developing a work environment that allows open and honest communication
• Understanding how to prevent and identify potential workplace-related emotional triggers
  
  

5. Create A Positive Work Environment

A positive work environment is key to a healthy workforce. It helps reduce workplace-related anxiety disorder. Here are some ways to build positive work environments:

• Identify and reward employees for their hard work
• Invest in professional training and career development programs 
• Offer benefits that promote work-life balance
• Encourage employee engagement and team-building activities
• Make taking advantage of paid personal and vacation time 
• Welcome employees to contribute ideas
  
  

6. Rethink Job Roles

A heavy workload can overwhelm employees and cause anxiety disorder related to work. Rethinking the distribution of duties can help avoid employee burnout.

7. Make Mental Health Services More Accessible

Providing employees with assistance programs is not enough. To fully support employees with workplace anxiety disorder, mental healthcare must be accessible. It can be achieved by:

• Health plans with satisfactory coverage for mental health services 
• Paid time off for employees to attend therapy 
• Adding an organizational psychologist for employees
• Partnering with local mental health providers
• Facilitating support groups

8. Provide Greater Flexibility

Flexible work options can support employees with workplace anxiety. They can offer telecommuting or hybrid jobs, flexible deadlines, and no after-hours emails.

9. Offer Virtual Therapy and Counseling Services

Consider giving employees teletherapy benefits. It would let them talk to mental health professionals about their stress. Employees can get proper help in the comfort of their own houses, making them less anxious.

10. Organize Online Support Groups

Employees who work from home can feel a little distant and it may cause loneliness and burnout. To avoid these issues, employers can help employees stay connected. They can host virtual events, promote employee resource groups (ERGs), and set up online forums.

11. Consider Remote Work Stipends

Employers can offer remote work stipends to help employees adapt to a changing work environment. This includes office equipment to improve their work-from-home space. It also includes a weekly coffee stipend, an extra monitor, noise-canceling headphones, and subscriptions to meditation apps.

12. Offer Programs That Promote Physical Health

Research has shown that physical exercise has mental health benefits. Employers can provide team stretching sessions over video calls, mini fitness challenges, online fitness classes, or discounts on exercise apps to support employees with workplace anxiety. 

Read more, Role of Virtual Reality in Anxiety Reduction

VR Therapies to Support Your Anxious Employees

VR is making its mark in the world of mental health. VR relaxation therapies can create a safe, controlled environment for employees. They can practice relaxation techniques, confront their anxieties, and work through traumas. In short, VR is a powerful tool for reducing workplace anxiety. It helps with mindful moments, stress management, and treating phobias.

Cognihab's virtual reality healthcare  solutions enhance workplace wellness. They boost productivity, improve the work environment, and reduce burnout. Contact us today to empower your team with innovative VR therapies!

Final Thoughts

Supporting employees with workplace anxiety is a serious challenge across industries. But the situation is far from hopeless. By using the 12 strategies above, businesses can help employees with workplace anxiety and ensure a healthy work environment. Cognihab's holistic approach will transform your business culture. It offers Health and Wellness Programs and virtual relaxation therapy. Join us today!