Spain's desperate situation – eyes on Sweden

A tough message for people across the country.

Returning to work can sometimes lead to feelings of low morale and downright anxiety.

“Job anxiety” is a common phenomenon after the holidays, explains Ricardo Correa, a psychologist at Mein Doctor.

“We can all suffer from job anxiety, and not wanting those lovely, lazy days off doesn’t necessarily mean you should quit your job. But if that feeling persists or escalates, it might be worth considering whether there’s something about your work situation that’s making you feel bad,” he says in a statement.

Call: Do not wash

Maja Björkman is a psychologist in Orsholt in the municipality of Tingsried.

She believes it's important to take job anxiety seriously. The psychiatrist urges sufferers to use some simple tricks to manage anxiety.

Among other things, Björkman thinks it might be time to look away from the washing machine this week.

– Reduce demands at home. Buy ready-made food and let the laundry pile grow this week. Don't start training right after the holidays, but wait a week or two, says psychologist P4 Kronoberg and adds:

– Try to relax as much as possible until you feel like you've gotten used to it. Notice that the feelings are there and let them go.

Five Tips to Reduce Job Anxiety

The health care website Min Doktor recommends taking the following five measures to reduce job anxiety:

– Think about what made you feel good this summer.
Is it fewer chores, a quieter schedule, more time in nature, or more time with your friends? Consider whether you can incorporate more of this into your daily life even when you return to work.

– Don't forget a good routine.
It’s easy to forget to take care of yourself when daily life gets more stressful. But eating regularly, getting enough sleep, and exercising are all important to feeling good. Keep doing these things for as long as you can, even when time is tight.

– Keep a journal of what stresses you out.
Try to find patterns that make you feel good and bad patterns that you can try to break. Can you make a change plan for what is less efficient in your workplace?

– Think about the limits that suit you.
Set boundaries for yourself at work. For example, there may be rules about what times you should and shouldn't work in the evening, but also what workloads and demands are reasonable.

– Talking to friends and relatives
It helps to lighten the heart. Also talk to your manager if something at work isn't working. Use the fresh start after the holidays as an opportunity to fix what you may not have had the energy to fix before the holidays.

Photo: Planet Care

Text: Editors