Some of the best jobs for people with anxiety are low stress jobs that involve minimal interaction with other people in a calm working environment.
Remote work can be ideal for people who are anxious around others, while some individuals don’t mind working with people as long as it’s in a calm setting without too much drama.
Nobody should wake up with a fear of going to work each day, or dreading the drive to a job that causes panic attacks.
It’s nearly impossible to find a job with no stress at all, but there are plenty of low stress jobs for anxious people that make going to work each day more enjoyable.
Importance of Low Stress Jobs for People with Anxiety
Anxiety is one of many types of mental health disorders, and a stressful workplace can trigger the symptoms or make them worse.
Over 40 million American adults struggle with an anxiety disorder, making it one of the most common mental health disorders according to data by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA).
Feeling anxious before an important meeting with your boss, changing jobs, and the stress of financial challenges are all normal human responses.
Up to 83-percent of workers in the U.S. struggle with work-related stress, and as many as 25-percent consider their job as the number one stressor in their life.
The issue is compounded for people who live with an anxiety disorder. A stressful job or workplace environment can significantly trigger anxiety or panic attacks and interfere with life outside of work.
One of the best ways to manage anxiety disorders is to avoid triggers whenever possible. For some people, this may require trading careers for a low stress job.
Fortunately, there are good jobs for people with anxiety available around the country.
Best Jobs for People with Anxiety
The best jobs for people with anxiety offer a low stress, calm environment and a healthy work-life balance.
Some individuals prefer the solitude of working alone, yet others enjoy working with people who are easygoing, patient, and not demanding.
Below are examples of jobs for people with anxiety that keep stress to a minimum.
Although some these might not be a perfect fit for everyone, they offer a direction for anyone looking for their first job or a career change to a more suitable fit.
10 Low Stress Jobs for People with Anxiety
1. Writing
If you have a knack for the written word, writing can prove to be a low stress job that keeps anxiety at bay.
Writing is often a flexible job that can be done from anywhere, and many times from home. Freelance writing can be a lucrative career path for those who are gifted writers or are willing to work longer hours.
Consider exploring options such as article writing, blogging, sales copy writing, or content writing.
2. Working with Children
There’s something about the innocence and honesty of children that creates a sense of calm. Working with children can be a good job for people with anxiety for several reasons, and also rewarding.
Kids communicate differently than adults and they tend to be less concerned about social pressures and more about having fun. This can help distract you from anxious thoughts, while allowing you to be more comfortable in a social setting.
Working with kids doesn’t require stressful interviews, meetings, or demanding sales pitches.
Being a teacher can be a stressful job for some people so it might not be the best option for everyone, although others enjoy working with younger kids.
There are plenty of jobs working with children that don’t involve dealing with classroom drama, like camp or daycare programs, and even tutoring.
3. Working with Animals
If working with children still triggers your anxiety, then maybe animals will do the trick. Equine therapy is an actual holistic treatment for depression, anxiety, and stress.
A 2021 survey by the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) found that pet ownership helped improve the mental health of up to 87 percent of pet owners, up from 74 percent in 2016.
A similar study appearing in the Journal of Animals shows that “directly interacting with a dog resulted in greater declines in anxiety and improved mood.”
4. Librarian
Libraries can be a haven for people with social anxiety disorder. The atmosphere is quiet, and tranquil with a positive vibe, and human interaction is kept to a minimum.
There are also a wide range of books to indulge your mind and distract you from overwhelming, anxious thoughts.
If you like the idea of visiting your local library, then you might as well consider making it your workplace. Being a librarian can be one of the best low stress jobs for the right person.
5. Computer Programming
Working with computers is less intimidating than dealing with people, and because programming requires a lot of concentration, most programmers work in a quiet space, often at home.
Computer programming is one of the best jobs for people with anxiety who are tech-savvy and willing to learn coding.
Programmers rarely interact with people face-to-face and most of the communication and tasks are handled from a remote location.
6. Transcription
People with anxiety tend to be great listeners but bad at interacting socially or in high-pressure environments.
Transcriptionists can work as a freelancer or in a full-time position at a company. Both ways involve converting voice recordings into written data and reports.
Much of the time is spent with headphones and a computer keyboard, and the hours are usually flexible.
7. Landscaping
Landscaping offers the opportunity to work outdoors in the peaceful ambience of nature. If this sounds appealing and you’re struggling with different forms of anxiety, you might be able to have a fulfilling career as a landscaper.
There are a number of jobs within this field, from gardening to being a groundskeeper for a university or company. Much of the work entails working alone or with a small crew and the job itself can be quite therapeutic.
8. eCommerce
Even before the COVID-19 crisis forced most of us to embrace online shopping, the industry was already experiencing unprecedented growth.
According to figures released by the Statista, eCommerce sales in 2023 was estimated at approximately $5.8 trillion and is expected to grow 39 percent by 2027.
These growth statistics point to a lucrative career opportunity for people with anxiety issues. It’s possible to launch and manage an eCommerce business such as drop shipping or selling your own products from home.
Selling products, fulfilling orders, and shipping requires minimal interaction and movement. This type of work can be done on your own or working for a company.
9. Delivery Services
At a time when people order everything online, from food items to basic errands, working as a delivery person might be a good job for people with anxiety.
This is especially true for individuals who find it therapeutic to make deliveries by car or bike.
The job requires being on the road alone with little socialization except when picking up orders and delivering them to their destination.
10. Cleaning Services
Whether it’s housework or janitorial work, most cleaning services are done off-hours when there are few people around the work area.
Because of the quiet atmosphere, these are good jobs for people with anxiety.
Working in cleaning services is especially fitting for those who don’t have much experience in other areas and who value order, although the work can be somewhat physically demanding.
More Jobs for People with Anxiety
If the 10 jobs already mentioned don’t seem like a good fit, here are more examples of jobs for anxious people.
Many of these occupations offer the perks of working alone or with few other people, and they usually require some attention to detail, which keeps the mind focused and busy.
Luckily there is a wide range of specialties that will appeal to almost everyone.
Other Examples of Low Stress Jobs
- Social media specialist
- Electrician
- Factory worker
- Photographer
- Massage therapist
- Video editor
- Plumber
- Interior designer
- Artist
- Mechanic
- Baker
- House painter
- Fitness instructor
- Ranger in a park or forest
- Researcher
- Laboratory technician
- Florist
Worst Jobs for People with Anxiety
Since low stress jobs in a calm environment are a good fit for people who struggle with anxiety, the worst jobs to avoid will be in high stress settings and a fast-paced workplace.
High stress careers can be rewarding for some individuals, but they can also lead to burnout and increased anxiety symptoms or even depression.
It’s amazing how many celebrities with anxiety are able to perform in front of other people or be in the spotlight on a daily basis. They love the work, so they find ways to manage the stress.
Examples of High Stress Jobs Anxious People Should Avoid
- First Responder
- Lawyer
- Medical Professional
- Public Relations
- Customer Service Representative
- Flight Attendant
- Sales Rep
- Personal Assistant
Managing Stress in the Workplace
It can be difficult for people with high anxiety to find low stress jobs, especially since finding work and going to job interviews both create a unique type of stress.
It’s necessary to identify your personal anxiety triggers while job hunting and only consider suitable jobs that are an ideal fit for your mindset.
Look for positions that match your personality, offer flexible schedules, and seek employers who provide supportive work environments.
Be open and honest about your needs when interviewing. Some employers have accommodations in place for people with specific needs and they strive to build an enjoyable workplace for everyone.
After landing a job, try to create a healthy balance between work and your personal life by practicing self-care strategies.
Learn how to boost happy chemicals in the brain such as serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins to reduce stress at work. This can be done through regular exercise, proper sleep, eating healthy foods, and meditating.
Every person is different so it can take some time to find the best strategies for each individual.
Plan each day and focus on a single task at work to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
Finding good jobs for people with anxiety is only half the battle. It is still necessary to incorporate effective coping techniques to avoid the triggers and symptoms if they arise.
