Needing some tips to be productive with anxiety?
Have you noticed that your anxiety prevents you from getting things done? It’s funny is it not, that the very thing that is making you stress about getting things done, is the very thing preventing you from doing them.
It’s difficult to clear your mind enough to allow for productivity to actually occur. If you have functional anxiety, like me (read more about that here), you may have benefited from anxiety as far as getting things done. Others have not been as lucky, if you would call it that.
For those of you with Generalized Anxiety Disorder you may often experience:
- Persistent and excessive worry
- Physical responses (sweating, leg tapping, grinding teeth, biting nails etc)
- Fatigue
- Insomnia/hypersomnia
- Restlessness
- Inability to make a decision / worry about making the wrong decision
- Irritability
- Nausea/stomach problems
Among other symptoms as anxiety presents itself differently within everyone. Do not linger on the fact that your symptoms do not fully align with the list as it is excessive.
Symptoms can present differently based on age, gender, environment and the list goes on. What matters is that it is hindering you from functioning properly.
Related Post: How To Cope With Anxiety
It is my hope that these tips alleviate some stress and overthinking so that you can be productive with anxiety!
Tip #1 To Be Productive With Anxiety: Identify and Avoid Triggers
I know this seems counterproductive to spend time identifying your triggers to anxiety, but it helps in the long run. Being proactive and identifying what makes your evil friend anxiety come for a visit will help you avoid or find ways to combat them.
A great way to identify your anxiety triggers is to journal or take notes. I recommend setting aside a certain amount of time each day for a week to simply identify what or when your anxiety increased.
I have an anxiety trigger worksheet here you can use that will help you to identify your triggers and plan to combat them.
If journaling is not really your thing, get out my list of activities you can do to practice mindfulness (self awareness) and identify your triggers. Once identified you can combat them by avoiding them or developing a plan to get back to a peaceful place so that you can get things done.
I recommended meditation, yoga, exercise, showering or breathing exercises to calm your mind and refocus on the task at hand.
My anxiety workbook has more worksheets that go more in depth to combat your anxiety! Check out whats included here!
Tip #2 To Be Productive With Anxiety: Make A List
Anyone that knows me, knows that list are my JAM! Literally, it is my jam, it holds everything together for me, so that I can just do. Without a list, I find myself venturing off to other tasks that may not be as important but need to be done.
Anxiety creeps in and makes me feel as though I will not have enough time to get it all done, so I try to do it all at once. Of course, that makes sense.
The great thing about making a list is that you get a sense of accomplishment when completing a task, which decreases the worry of not being able to complete things. It also reminds you of the realistic expectation you have for yourself for the day.
I notice I am less likely to feel like I was not productive throughout the day if everything on my list has been checked off. I also give myself permission to do other things when those things are done. (Hint I normally start with a list of things I can do the next day)
Tip #3 To Be Productive With Anxiety: Take Breaks
When you need to be productive with anxiety it is very important to take breaks! Anxiety will take a lot out of you mentally and physically, without breaks it is near impossible to be productive with anxiety.
Short breaks have been shown to decrease stress, improve focus, improve concentration, and improve your mood! You will know that you need a break if you listen to your body and mind.
I know that I need a break when I am unable to sit still, my eyes begin to hurt, I get a slight headache or my back begins to ache. If I listen to my body, I get up to stretch or play a meditation on my phone to recenter myself. When I take a break, I notice that I am more productive and feel accomplished at the end of my day!
Related Post: How To Be Productive With Depression
Tip #4 To Be Productive With Anxiety: Sleep
Last, but certainly not least, you need to sleep! Your brain plays tricks on you all day and increases your anxiety which sends you into the fight/flight response.
Does it make sense that you would not need to sleep more than that of the average person? Of course! Though we can function with 5-6 hours of sleep, it is recommended that you obtain 8 hours of sleep a night to be highly effective.
However, there are nights I sleep more than 8 hours. I need it! My body, mind, and spirit needs to sleep 10 or more hours a night when I have been triggered that day.
I notice that I often sleep the most on Friday nights and I am sure it is because the work week is over and I am able to think more rationally. It is also because I know I can sleep in on Saturday without fault.
If you need more than 8 hours of sleep listen to your body! It will tell you what it needs and that may be the only way you are able to function and be productive the next day!
Most of you know that I am a huge fan of coping skills, therapy, mindfulness to help with your mental health. You also need to practice self care, cut yourself some slack, and set firm boundaries with yourself to manage your mental health and get things done.
What helps you when you need to get things done but anxiety is in the way?
Like this post? Share it with others.
Christy Oliphant
May 7, 2020 at 1:19 amHelpful blog post! I’ve had anxiety since i was a child, and this is all so true!
Becca
May 7, 2020 at 10:45 amLove this so much! I like to make list each day to hold myself accountable
Corinne
May 7, 2020 at 11:14 amThis list is a godsend, thank you 🙂 I have always been an anxious person which is probably why I’ve become a serial lister. I sometimes struggle with sleep and I can really tell that lack of sleep exacerbates my poor time management. I’ll definitely refer back to this post. Cheers!
Jess
May 7, 2020 at 11:59 amI love this! And thanks for the fill out list!
Angela
May 7, 2020 at 7:02 pmThese are some great tips. I have anxiety and do everything on your list to stay productive. Without taking breaks and making lists, I don’t think I’d ever get anything done. I start my day by making a to-do list, and I schedule breaks throughout the day to stay focused. Thanks for sharing these helpful tips.
justjess18
May 8, 2020 at 12:27 amSame here!
Beth Elkassih
May 8, 2020 at 11:01 amIs it just a coincidence that I came upon your blog about anxiety when I’m just finishing up a 5 Day Challenge on “Navigating Through Everyday Anxiety’? Great information. Well written. I hope you check me out as well.
Dee
May 8, 2020 at 1:22 pmOmg, I loved everything about this blog
Katlyn Brown
May 8, 2020 at 2:47 pmThanks for this!! I’ve been having a lot if anxiety lately and so much to do. Very helpful.
Alina
May 8, 2020 at 4:42 pmThis is a great article. I have suffered from anxiety for years and every now and then it’s good to have reminders like this! Thanks!
Giulia
May 8, 2020 at 6:56 pmWonderful blog post! Anxiety can really get you feeling badly about yourself, confused, restless in mind and body, and I agree that you need to identify those triggers. Avoiding them might be okay sometimes, but sometimes you need to do a little CBT by stepping back and thinking more rationally than emotionally. Ask yourself, why is this an issue? Is it my problem or someone else’s? Is all this excessive worry going to help me or change anything? Etc It’s useful to realize that sometimes our anxieties aren’t really REAL sometimes, as in, being anxious about what people think about you when likely they aren’t thinking about you at all. Thanks for sharing. I love that you share resources.
Joanna
May 8, 2020 at 11:40 pmI agree that making lists is so helpful.
Ary
May 9, 2020 at 1:25 amThese are great! I know sleep is crucial but I should sleep more to help with anxiety. I hadn’t tried making lists yet but I’ll do that next.
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Ary
Cherry
May 9, 2020 at 1:37 amGood tips! I’m a new blogger so it learning about blogging has made me anxious due to information overload.
Inspiring Vibes
May 9, 2020 at 2:19 amI like reading post talking about productivity and I found something fresh from your post — being productive with anxiety! That really is a good one 💛 I like the sleeping tip, sleep really cures
Miranda
May 9, 2020 at 2:42 amThis list was so helpful! I struggle with anxiety and OCD, and I’ve always loved journaling and making lists too!
Tsvetty
May 9, 2020 at 10:55 pmI completely stand by making lists! The first thing I do in the morning is to write down what I have to do that day in my agenda so that I can hold myself accountable. Taking breaks is definitely the hardest for me though, when I get started I just can’t stop even though I know it’ll help my productivity in the long run. Great read and wonderful tips Jess!
Lozza
May 10, 2020 at 9:15 amThis is great advice!
I’ve suffered with anxiety for years and am now off my medication because I couldn’t take it when pregnant or breastfeeding but surprisingly I feel a lot better without it.
When I do get anxiety now (which I still do often) I too do yoga or just take a break from things and it helps so much!
Oh and meditation has worked well for me!
Love Lozza xo
http://girlygabble.com
Johnny
May 10, 2020 at 12:35 pmRegular breaks and sleep are definitely two go-to ways of managing stress and anxiety. If anything it’s productive for your mental wellbeing rather than just productive practically!
Johnny | Johnny’s Traventures
https://johnnystraventures.com
Sarah
May 11, 2020 at 12:16 amExcellent advice. For years my anxiety kept me from doing much. Identifying our triggers is huge a huge thing to do, but once you know what causes your anxiety it makes things just a bit easier. I totally agree with making lists. Without lists, I can’t get much done, plus it’s completely satisfying to mark items on the list as complete. Getting good sleep is something I still struggle with some days, but I’m getting better at shutting off my thoughts and getting to sleep in a decent amount of time.
Sarah Camp
May 11, 2020 at 2:39 pmThis is great – I actually struggle with anxiety right now about going back to work – which hahahah is kind of a problem! Glad to know I’m not the only one dealing with these situations. Taking breaks are soooo important for the mind and soul. Thank you!
Kristen
May 12, 2020 at 11:51 amLove your post. I have generalized anxiety and I am aware that I need to be committing to my solutions. I don’t always identify triggers sometimes. Something I’m working on!
Julia Rose
May 12, 2020 at 2:36 pmHelpful – I’ve come to realise that organising my thoughts and getting good, regular sleep are so I
important for me in reducing anxiety. Thanks for this!
Jasmine
May 13, 2020 at 4:44 amDefinitely rely on breaks, sleep and scheduling out my day. I used to really be hard on myself for not completing everything in my list too. I now put 1 important thing on the list and 3 things I need to do but can wait for another day in case I don’t get to it. It allows my mind so much relief. My way of living now. 😊
justjess18
May 13, 2020 at 11:02 amThats awesome! Keep pushing!
Kaley Phenix
May 13, 2020 at 9:55 pmLove this! Will defintiely be sharing with my friends who suffer from anxiety/anxious tendancies!
justjess18
May 15, 2020 at 1:36 pmThank you!
Lisa Marie Alioto
June 5, 2020 at 12:00 pmAvoiding triggers is so key. I have a friend that keeps putting herself in the line of fire, so to speak. It’s hard to watch, knowing what’s coming next. Learning your triggers can be so important to avoiding anxiety or minimizing it to a great degree
Kimberley
June 5, 2020 at 12:08 pmGreat post! I especially liked the tip about sleeping. You never really know how much you needed to sleep until you finally do and notice the difference when you wake up. Thanks for sharing!
Joanna
June 5, 2020 at 2:01 pmI agree that for me, making lists is so important to decrease my anxiety. Then everything doesn’t seem so overwhelming.
Jimmy Clare
June 5, 2020 at 7:42 pmreally great tips thanks for sharing
Amanda Burnett
June 6, 2020 at 2:07 amThis post was so helpful! My anxiety has been worse than usual lately so I’m definitely taking notes. I also shared this on Pinterest. xx
Nikki Lamprecht
June 7, 2020 at 1:19 pmGreat tips! I really find making lists help so much, as well as knowing what situations or thoughts might trigger my anxiety.
Heidi
June 7, 2020 at 3:38 pmThank you!! I have struggled with anxiety most of my life, within the last year however I feel like my anxiety has taken over my life. So many things in such a short period of time seemed to get tossed on the plate, and it seems I hit a breaking point. Lexapro helped me tremendously and I did notice that my productivity increased. However I unexpectedly became pregnant and my OB suggested a different medication which I did not respond well to! I have chosen to try and use natural stress and anxiety management techniques throughout the rest of my pregnancy, and after I had hoped to restart the lexapro to help me cope post partum. I will for sure be bookmarking this list and saving it as a reference to help guide me through my own journey ❤️
Sabrina Bullock
June 16, 2020 at 3:50 pmThanks for the tips. I’ve had generalized anxiety and social anxiety for many years. The fact I’m working from home now is really nice because sometimes I just randomly stop and do a little if needed, it helps. I’m also trying to teach myself to stop and take three slow deep breaths if I start to get anxious. Lavender essential oil is another thing I use a lot.
Cassie
June 16, 2020 at 8:35 pmThese are great tips! I know when I get anxious about something I kind of spin my wheels and end up cleaning… or stress eating. I do like making lists and taking breaks though! I’m doing two things already!