Nine low stress jobs for people with anxiety

An anxiety disorder can make finding the right career a challenge. Whether it’s social anxiety that affects your day-to-day life, generalized anxiety disorder, or something else, each diagnosis usually comes with its own set of challenges that don't always align with the traditional working world. Although it may be hard to find the right position, don't worry. Plenty of job opportunities may exist that are well-suited to those with anxiety, such as freelance work, medical coding, transcription, and housekeeping, among others. For personalized, professional insight into what may be the right career path for you, consider speaking with a licensed therapist in person or online.

Are you looking for the perfect low-stress job?

Freelance worker

The world of freelance work may have very few limits. Many different skills can be monetized. Freelancers may work in all kinds of professions, including the following:

• Writing/editing
• Finance/bookkeeping
• Software development
• HR
• Project management
• Administrative assistance
• IT

Although a freelance career typically takes some creativity and patience, self-employment often comes with a lot of perks. Freelancers usually oversee their own pay, hours, and the type of work they commit to. They may also be free to explore their strengths in the industry of their choice. One major benefit of freelance work can be that you can often do it from your own home office. This can mean there is no pressure to make it to work on time, sit in lengthy commutes, or manage interactions with stressful coworkers and supervisors.

Medical coder

Medical coders can be defined as professionals who review medical records, locate diagnosis and procedure codes, and submit claims to insurance for payment. Insurance will usually only cover the cost of some codes, so it is generally the medical coder's responsibility to make sure that a patient's chart has the correct information. Most medical coding positions require certification for employment. Certification can entail specialized training in a medical billing program and passing exams. Coders are typically employed in hospitals, doctors' offices, and clinical settings. However, many positions allow employees to work from home.

Transcriptionist

Transcriptionists are usually workers who change the spoken word into the written. This career normally requires a few solid skills, like fast typing and excellent grammar and listening. Transcriptionists can be employed in all types of industries. Legal transcriptionists or court reporters may capture what is said during court proceedings. Medical transcriptionists may record verbal reports from doctors. This is often done in a clinical setting, such as an emergency room. However, the service can also be used to record a doctor's thoughts during medical testing reviews. Like coding, this work can be done outside of the traditional office.

Housekeeper

The work can be physically challenging, but the constant movement, predictable routine, and little supervision may allow those with anxiety to manage their symptoms. Some positions, especially those that cater to offices, may allow you to work in the night or evening hours, which can mean most of the work you do will be alone and at your own pace.

Librarian

Librarians usually help people find information and the perfect book to read. Most often, librarians work in schools and public libraries. They may spend their day in the quiet company of books—and, in the case of a school librarian, children. Contrary to popular belief, technology is often a big part of the day-to-day job of a librarian. Librarians must normally stay on top of the latest developments to get their customers the most up-to-date information and best resources. While you will likely work traditional work hours in this role, many librarians report a great deal of satisfaction with their jobs.

Artist

Most people don't usually associate art with a career. However, even the corporate world usually needs artists. There are often many positions open to those with creative skills. You might consider working as one of the following:

• Makeup artist
• Photographer
• Painter
• Illustrator
• Graphic designer
• Fashion designer
• Jeweler
• Art teacher
• Cake decorator

For many people, art-focused careers can be low-stress. In fact, the creative process has frequently been shown to lower anxiety levels. However, it can be important to keep in mind that those who work in the artistic field often produce works for other people. This can increase stress levels for those who dread customer interaction. Still, there can be plenty of opportunities to work behind the scenes.

Medical lab tech

Medical lab technicians can be defined as individuals who prepare and test specimen samples. They may work with vials of blood, loading them into complex instruments for analysis, or view samples under the microscope to look for key diagnostic information. Much of the work of a medical lab tech is done alone and part of a routine process. There is typically very little writing and physical activity and usually no patient interaction or hard deadlines.

Virtual assistant

The demand for virtual assistants may be growing. Virtual assistants typically provide support and administrative services to businesses. The role can be nearly identical to that of an administrative assistant in the corporate world, but the position is normally done from home. Many companies only require a few hours of work per week from their virtual assistants, potentially leaving professionals free to choose to work for more than one company. This can be a good option for someone who likes to learn in different fields.

Landscaper

Landscapers generally get the benefit of always being in nature. Spending time outdoors can be very grounding when you have anxiety. As an employee of a landscaping company, you may get to spend your days being physically active and creating beautiful scenery. You're usually assigned jobs each day and can bring creations inspired by both you and your client to life. In most cases, you will have little interaction with other workers and customers. This can be a great role for those whose anxiety benefits from the fresh air.

The secret to finding the perfect low-stress job

If none of these jobs appeal to you or your dream job didn't make the list, don't worry. There may be a few key things you can look for in any position to see if it would be right for you.

Flexibility

People who experience anxiety tend to do well in positions that offer some degree of flexibility. Flexibility in a job can apply in several different ways. You may be able to structure your breaks and lunch when you want; you may be able to work alternative work schedules; you may even be able to work from home.

Independence

Jobs that allow work under little or no supervision can also be helpful. It can be stressful to have a manager constantly checking your work or watching your performance. Jobs that require you to meet certain metrics may be more difficult for those with anxiety. Call center positions, sales-based opportunities, and customer service roles should generally be accepted with caution. Jobs like these don't always offer the level of independence that those with anxiety find comfortable.

Interaction level

Many jobs require you to be "on point" all day long, especially those in which you represent a company or brand name. This can be exhausting for someone with anxiety. Jobs in customer service, hospitality, or food service may be just a few that typically depend on high levels of customer-facing interaction. You will likely be serving customers who aren't always happy and trying to problem-solve on the spot. When looking for the right role for you, keep in mind your comfort level with constant contact. Will you be able to put the best interests of a company before your own?

Personal needs

When it comes to finding the right job with anxiety, income and professional goals are not always the only driving factors. Before you begin any job search, it can be important to understand a little about yourself. What types of situations make your anxiety worse, and which seem to lower it? There may be a few questions you can think about to help you find the right career path.

• What environment is best for my anxiety symptoms (quiet, busy, open, home, cubicle)?
• What schedule works best for me?
• What type of supervisor best supports me?
• Do I need physical activity to manage my anxiety?
• How many people am I comfortable working with?
• How do I feel about working with technology?
• How much structure do I need in my routine?

Once you find the answers to questions like these, you can look for opportunities that meet your needs. It can be possible to have a thriving professional life with anxiety, as long as what you do works with your symptoms and not against them. Finding the right match may take some time and creativity, but it may be out there.

If your anxiety is affecting your chances of finding the right job, consider reaching out to a licensed therapist. 

Benefits of online therapy

Experiencing anxiety symptoms can sometimes make it challenging to reach out for help. Visiting a therapist’s office and speaking to a stranger face-to-face can seem intimidating, but online therapy may remove some of these potential barriers. By empowering you to get professional help from a familiar location and choose between video call, phone call, and online chat options, you may feel more comfortable and in control.

A growing body of evidence generally supports the use of online therapy as a treatment for a wide variety of mental health disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). For example, a 2021 systematic review investigating the effectiveness of internet-delivered treatment for GAD found that, “Overall, Internet‐delivery appears to be a viable mode of treatment for GAD with potential to relieve existing gaps in the provision of treatment.”