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Boredom at work causing anxiety?

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Posted 11/16/2006 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
For the past few months at work, it hasn't really been busy and i'm starting to think that this may be the cause of my anxiety.  It seems that since i have nothing to do, I'm constantly googling symptoms of this and that, and worrying about useless ridiculous things.  the more i look up, the more stressed i get, because then i start thinking 'maybe i have this, or that'.  I never was so worked up in my life until now.  it started getting really bad when i had some financial problems a couple months ago, and i just moved, so that doesn't help either.  all of a sudden anxiety hit me with a big BOOM.  I go through my days feeling really uneasy.  the thought of getting another job worries me too, because what if i don't make enough money for me and my 2 kids, what if i'm bored there too, what if i can't do the job and they get rid of me, and the list goes on and on.  a lot of my friends say 'i'd love to have your job', considering i get paid not bad for doing pretty much NOTHING all day.  even though i'm not busy, this boredom is driving me crazy!!!!  because i have all this time on my hands, i have so much time to think, and it's not doing me any justice.  does anyone think that boredom can cause anxiety?
Posted 11/16/2006 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
I totally agree bordom can agrivare anxiety and depression I am kinda there myself.
Posted 11/16/2006 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
The internet can aggrevate anxiety, my word of advice is to stay far away from the heart forums!
Posted 11/16/2006 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
I am bored at work right now which is why I am on here. I suggest you stop looking up health stuff if it causes you stress. Google something else. There's always something you won't like with every job, if the pay is good then try to stay. If you are so unhappy you can't stand it then start looking for another job. You don't have to take it if you don't want to. Hope you are feeling less stressed soon.
Posted 11/16/2006 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
yes I definitely think that boredom can aggrivate your anxiety. I am going through that right now. I noticed that when I didn't have anything to do , I would start making lists of things I have to do at home, things I need to get done, going back to school, etc. and my anxiety soared. Try playing online games instead, if you are really bored. There are a few that can really make you think, especially the word games. That's what I've done and its working thus far. Take care
Posted 11/16/2006 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
I try not to look things up, but it's almost like an obsession.  Now instead of looking anything else up, i come on here-it's a better choice i believe!  Thanks for your replies!

Posted 11/17/2006 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
I get relly bored at work as well.  I bring a book or play solitare, but I find watching the clock makes me really anxious..three more hours to go...two hours and 50 minutes etc.  It definately helps to come here and post.  I hope things pick up for you at your job.  Busy is better!!!
Posted 11/17/2006 1:18 AM (GMT 0)

worrier 246

I also have been bored at work for over 2 years and I have seen my anxiety go through the roof.  i started thinking that it was great not haveing much to do but later I started searching all types of website and thinking thta I had all types of problems.  Finally I reached a point where I was getting headaches between my eyes all day long and was unable to function.  I am in the process to getting out of the current position in order to save my sanity.

Posted 11/17/2006 3:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hi worrier and welcome. I used to get bored and curse the job because it wasn't challenging enough. THEN, I got a job where I was the Business Analyst, Project Manager AND software administrator. I was completely and utterly overwhelmed. The STRESS of the job was causing more anxiety than I had ever experienced before. Now, I've gone through a year of unemployment while nursing a chronic pain condition and recovering from a divorce and consequent major depression. Anyhoo, I have a suggestion for you. Are their any software programs that you would like to learn that might advance you? Microsoft has "Step by Step" books. You just pop a CD in and you learn hands on. That is a much more productive way to spend your idle time. What do you think?
Posted 11/17/2006 3:13 AM (GMT 0)
P.S. A website that is productive is www.mymoodgym.com. It's great cognitive therapy for people with anxiety. I'm like your friends...I wish I had your job! Hang in there!
Posted 11/17/2006 6:09 AM (GMT 0)
Too much time to think can be a problem..and looking stuff up on the net can make us paranoid eek not good!
Is it possible to upgrade your skills and maybe do online study? Maybe you could ask your boss for extra responsibilities...which could lead to other opportunitys?

Take good care.
Maree
Posted 11/17/2006 6:42 AM (GMT 0)
I definitely think I'm more likely to be anxious when I'm bored or have too much time on my hands...I wonder if you can brainstorm more productive things to do at work?  Is it possible to talk to your boss about work that would be more challenging?  If not, perhaps you can use time at work to look into classes you might take to further your career (or just for fun), or maybe look for a new job.  That way you'll be doing something self-affirming....

I certainly google symptoms and scare myself....So I can't pretend it's easy to stop.  Sometimes when I'm having trouble, I tell one of my non-anxious friends about my fear...sometimes just typing it out helps give me a reality check or how over the top i'm being...and other times, i need them to say "you're really ok....but you do need to stop googling."  the external validation is helpful...and sometimes was all i was looking for unsuccessfully on google.

I hope this helps!

Good luck

You are certainly not alone,

Cara

Posted 11/17/2006 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
I tried www.mymoodgym.com, but nothing comes up at all-has it changed at all?
Posted 11/20/2006 5:56 AM (GMT 0)

Hi,

I used to be bored at work maybe 40 percent of the time and I guess the bosses noticed and they basically demoted me (though my pay is the same). Now I'm very busy every single minute but the work is so annoying. I hate it!

I'm really surprised all of you go to the mental health web sites while at work -- I have no privacy at work and would be embarrassed to be caught looking at them. Plus I am paranoid that my bosses and the techies are monitoring my e-mail and web usage. Don't mean to add to anyone's anxiety, but be careful how you use those work computers!

For now I am trying to be "grateful" that I still have a job. A lot of people at my work got laid off this fall.

I am sorry that you are bored and hope that you can find ways to make a more worthwhile contribution to your business. My key to job security for most of my career has been to do the jobs nobody else wants to do. (Easier to do that when you have no self-esteem, which is my life story.) It does the pay the bills and thank god the mental health benefits at my job are pretty good.

--mk

Posted 11/20/2006 7:08 AM (GMT 0)
oooops -- here is the link:

http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/default.asp
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