Workplace stress and anxiety are more common in 2025 than in previous years. Nearly 24% of workers in the U.S. have recently sought help for anxiety related to their jobs. Reports show that unresolved mental health concerns cost companies $200 billion annually in lost productivity.
This stress doesn’t just come from heavy workloads. Many workers feel unclear about their roles. Others feel tracked constantly through software measuring output or response times. These factors add psychological pressure without always improving performance.
Some symptoms are easy to overlook. People who feel anxious at work often report tension headaches, stomach issues, and fatigue. Over time, repeated stress without recovery can affect sleep, judgment, and relationships.
Recognizing triggers can help manage stress before it worsens. For example, many workers now use a method called the “worry window.” This means setting aside 15 minutes every day to think through concerns instead of letting them interfere throughout the day. Others find they manage better by reducing screen time, turning off alerts, or avoiding comparing themselves to others online.
Nontraditional methods for daily stress relief are becoming more common, especially among younger workers seeking alternatives to medication or therapy. These include guided breathing apps, herbal supplements like ashwagandha, and hemp-derived cannabinoids such as CBD and THC variants. Products that contain minor cannabinoids, including delta-8, delta-10, and THCP products, are sometimes chosen for their subtle calming effects during high-pressure work periods.
These options are usually used alongside other techniques like journaling or workplace flexibility, not as replacements. People often test several methods before finding what helps them stay focused and emotionally balanced through the workday.
Not all methods work for everyone. Some workers find more relief in structured steps, like setting strict limits on checking emails after work. Others build their routines around mindfulness. In several studies, three 20-minute sessions each week led to an 18% drop in cortisol, the hormone linked to stress.
Technology can also support real-time stress control. Biofeedback tools now track physical signs like heart rate and alert users during early signs of anxiety. Some devices vibrate to guide breathing, which can bring the body back to balance without needing to stop work.
Food choices can help too. Snack options high in tyrosine, like almonds and dark chocolate, are linked to improved cognitive function. These foods are thought to help when making decisions under pressure by keeping energy stable.
At the team level, better employer policies can reduce the causes of anxiety instead of treating symptoms after the fact. Organizations that follow WHO-recommended policies often see lower turnover. Some use clear controls, like no-meeting blocks during lunch hours or software that adjusts workloads based on changes in capacity.
Workers also benefit when they’re trusted to know their pace. A few companies now offer mental health response time, allowing staff to stop work for a short time when needed without asking for approval. This avoids making people feel like they need to justify emotional strain.
Flexible hours, minimal micro-management, and access to trained mental health staff also help. Employee Assistance Programs are most effective when easy to access without stigmas. Encouraging casual check-ins between team members increases connection and gives people a place to speak up early.
Social media is a growing factor. While scrolling on breaks can help reset the mind, some workers find their anxiety increases after exposure to curated success content. Roughly 42% say they feel worse after consuming motivational posts. On the other hand, over half of younger workers find value in private networking groups where they can talk about common problems without fear of judgment.
CBT-based apps, mindfulness training, and time-block planning apps are widely used. Some workers report benefits from journaling or rating their feelings throughout the day using emotion trackers. These tools can identify patterns and help know when to make changes.
Daily stress at work isn’t always avoidable—but with the right tools, it can be managed in ways that protect long-term wellbeing.
