15 low-stress jobs for people with anxiety

If you are reading this you are probably asking yourself if there really are jobs that won’t exacerbate anxiety symptoms. The short answer to that is yes, there are many jobs that would be a great fit for someone with anxiety or social anxiety disorder.

Finding a job that is anxiety-friendly can be difficult if you don’t know where to look. If you have generalized anxiety, you likely will want to find a low-stress job, but if you have social anxiety disorder, you may also be looking for a low-stress job with limited social demands.

Zippia understands that the job search process can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. But with this guide, you can navigate the job search process with some easier breaths.

Here are some things to keep in mind when looking for a new job with anxiety:

• Look for jobs that are flexible, both in terms of workspace and of deadlines.
• Don’t toss job opportunities away just because they are not work-from-home.
• You don’t have to have a college degree to get an anxiety-friendly job. Look at technical and community colleges for certificate programs that may interest you.

GOOD JOBS FOR PEOPLE WITH ANXIETY

The best type of job for you to look for is one that can be flexible in terms of how much social interaction it requires and how flexible that interaction can be. These jobs are typically work-from-home or remote-office flex jobs.

When you work from home full-time or part-time during the week, you are able to work in a less taxing social environment. You are typically able to work on your own time and have some more flexibility.

If you are unable to work at home, you will want to look for a job that gives you personal space within the workday. For example, if you worked as a postal worker, you would have to interact with people throughout the day, but most of the time you would be alone on your route.

ENTRY LEVEL LOW-STRESS JOBS FOR PEOPLE WITH ANXIETY

If you are trying to choose a college major or have recently graduated and are looking for entry-level jobs, there are many jobs that you can search for that would be great for someone with anxiety.

Here are a few jobs that would be a great match for someone with anxiety or social anxiety disorder:

Freelance writing, blogging, and editing. If you are word-savvy, give freelancing a try. You can work from home, set your own hours, and negotiate your own rates. These jobs give you practice working with clients and deadlines, but it is limited to how many gigs you want to take on.
Creative fields like social media manager. If you like social media and creating creative online spaces, search for social media or engagement manager positions. It would give you the chance to practice working with people, but most of the job is creative work on your own.
Bookkeeper and accountant. These jobs have many overlapping responsibilities but they both allow you to have some freedom from major anxiety triggers. But beware, some accountant and bookkeeping jobs can be incredibly stressful– try looking for a position in a smaller company or one that doesn’t require you to handle so many accounts by yourself.
Computer programmer and IT specialist. This job is great for someone with anxiety and can often be done from home. You don’t always need a degree to land this job either– try taking competency exams for coding languages and use that to prove skills in the job application process.
Librarian. If you are a bookworm and want to help improve literacy, this could be the job for you. Librarians work with people to help put on programs, but those are usually low-key events.

LOW-STRESS JOBS FOR PEOPLE WITH ANXIETY WHO HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA

If you don’t have a college degree but do have a high school diploma, here are some jobs that you could be eligible for. Some of these jobs may require some job training at a community college or on the job site.

Here are some jobs for someone with a high school diploma:

• Pet jobs. If you love animals, there are many jobs that could be perfect for you. Some examples are dog trainer, pet groomer, kennel worker, and dog walker.
• Landscaping. If you like to work outside, landscaping could be the perfect gig for you. You probably will be working in a team of landscapers but most of the workday will be working alone for each task.
• Firefighter or forest ranger. If you want to be in public service but have social anxiety, working as a firefighter or forest ranger could be a great option.
• School bus driver. If you love kids and want a job that doesn’t involve being with them one-on-one for nine hours a day, bring a school bus driver could be a great option.
• Uber/Lyft/Taxi Driver. Being a for-hire driver is a great way to work on your own hours and also have practice interacting with people for short periods of time.
• Book store assistant. If you love books but cannot work as a librarian because you don’t have the degree, working as an assistant in a library or book store would be a great choice.
• Graphic Designer. If you are creative and are seeking a creative outlet for a job, try searching for graphic design jobs.
• Court/Medical Proofreader/Transcriptionist. This job is another job that is typically work-from-home and has a lot of flexibility.
• Stocking Jobs. If you don’t mind lifting some heavier items, try stocking jobs. Most retail stores need third-shift workers to restock.
• Cosmetologist. While cutting hair, taking care of nails, and perfecting makeup may seem challenging for someone with social anxiety, working as a cosmetologist could be a great option because it allows for multiple limited interactions with people.

SUMMARY

If you thought that there are no jobs available for someone with anxiety, hopefully, this article helped put your mind at ease. There are many jobs that can be a great fit for someone with anxiety, especially social anxiety.

If you have anxiety, you may look for work-from-home jobs so that you can avoid hectic office life. But don’t overlook some jobs just because they are not work-from-home. Some jobs can be flexible or have space to create private spheres within the workspace.

If you are still feeling stressed and anxious after this article, take a moment to sit back and remember: There are many options out there and this article can help you find one that fits your needs perfectly.

This article first appeared on Zippia.