What are some of your coping mechanism for work-related anxiety? No wrong answers

May 29 (edited) • Ask Me Anything—Open Coaching

Here’s an IBL crossover post, because I want to check in with you all as the state of the world (and much of our work as changemakers as a result) continues to spiral.

How do you cope with work-related anxiety, even with work you love (even when the physical, mental and emotional toll is much)?

Impact leaders and empathic humans hold so much space that we are often running on E long before our bodies, minds and spirits register the deficit.

If you’re energy-sensitive in any way on top of your day-to-day load, the moment you return to center and tap back into your own needs, wants and to-do lists, the anxiety can catch you like a rip tide.

True to the image, I try to combat this feeling by doing the mental equivalent of swimming parallel to the shore until I can feel the current release me back into calmer waters, where I can float gently to recuperate and then gradually tread way my way back to sandy—then solid—ground.

Sometimes, that looks like at least making sure I eat well despite the overwhelm. Other times, it’s protecting my bedtime or even going back to sleep after getting my daughter ready for school and out the door.

I think naming (and validating) these mechanisms helps us normalize the journey back to center after a crisis of any magnitude. The “almost there” part of managing our mental health is so important. Feeling every gradient of the healing process brings us closer to ourselves and helps us better understand our capacity at each stage so we can articulate our needs to those around us.

I learned this lesson BIG time while organizing this summit, and it helped me get about 300% more sleep than I was getting this time last year with the same workload but with 3x more moving parts.

So what about you?

Tap in below.

I’m listening. 🫶🏾

A reminder that there are just a few days remaining to join us in The Identity & Belonging Lab for $1/day (billed annually). Joining before the price goes up on June 1 locks in that rate for as long as you stay a member. Payment plans available, so I’ll be reaching out to those that have asked for more info before the end of the week.

Regulating my rest/nutrition

Talking to friends and family

Calling on a coach or mentor

Powering through it

Avoiding it altogether

Other (see comments)

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