How Can You Manage New Job Anxiety?
The first few weeks in a new job can be stressful. Of course, you want to impress the team from the moment you walk through the door. But then, almost everything is new, including the people and some of the systems and processes — making it hard for you to be your usual in-control self.
So, what can you do to manage new job anxiety?
Here are some ideas:
Create a healthy routine to power you through
When you start your new job, you want to be your best self, which means self-care is essential. So, schedule healthy meals, drink lots of water, exercise, go to bed and get up at the same times (even on weekends), and avoid caffeine late in the day. Caffeine, lack of sleep, and even certain foods can make your anxiety symptoms worse. Also, don't forget to take breaks while you're at work. Even a short walk or stretch can help you feel less stressed.
Don't be afraid to ask questions
If you're lucky, your new organization will have a great employee onboarding process that gives you many opportunities to ask questions and get support. However, you may be thrown in at the deep end and have to work stuff out on your own. Asking for help can feel uncomfortable — but the sooner you do it, the better. If you stay quiet and pretend you know things you don't, you could have bigger problems later on when colleagues may be less sympathetic.
Accept that adjusting takes time
It's natural for you to want to prove yourself quickly so you can be accepted by your new team. However, adjusting to a new job takes time. So, be patient, keep up the positive attitude, work hard, listen to what's going on around you, and accept that everything won't be perfect. It can take a couple of months before you understand the new role and the team dynamic well enough to be a productive part of it.
