How do I cope with work stress? Every first day of the week back

don't medicate...

MEDITATE

Meditation will help you a little, go to your doctor if you're having this much trouble- at least he or she would provide you with some sort of short-term treatment, while you work on the longer-term stuff.

It will take a while but that isn't bad.

>Leaving the job isn't an option

It's important to understand that you're fully able to leave the job whenever you want, even in the middle of a shift you could just get up and walk out. Obviously, you'll probably never consider doing that but it's a freedom that you will always have- it's best to remind yourself of that.

>(and any other job at my level would have me just as stressed).

Well it's your relationship to stress that has to change then.

>>18554821

I don't understand how to meditate, and I don't know when I would do it, really. Like do you just sit there in silence? My mind would just start racing.

>can't leave

Well, I left this job in December. I thought going to a lesser role would help, and especially working from home. It didn't, and the job was miserable. I looked around at other jobs but realized they were all asking me to do the same thing, only for less money and with less perks, so I managed to come back where I am now, and I'm lucky to be here.

>change my relationship to stress
That's kind of what I'm hoping for. I'm just worried I'll get rejected for medication because I come across like a carefree guy who couldn't possibly get rattled. My anxiety comes and goes.

>>18554830
> sit on the floor
> clear your head of everything except what makes you happy
> sit like this for 10 minutes 2x per day

>>18554830
>>18554831
Don't do this.

Look into "mindfulness in plain english". The point is to decentralize, get away from "these are my thoughts, feelings, etc." and watch them come and go without getting involved. These thoughts and feelings are exactly the same thoughts and feelings you experience now, the point is to experience them with detachment, without being caught up in them.

To do this, you attach your attention to something else, for example your breath. With your attention "anchored" there, you can experience without attachment.

If you are especially restless, you can try walking meditation (same book). Or even listening to some calm music for a while might help (my rec: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaSi7Gut7xM)

I bet a doctor would give you drugs, but I would try without drugs first. If you are killing yourself working there, what are you working for? Quality of life that you're clearly not getting?

>>18554858

I actually like the job. I love the people, I have good security, I do something challenging/fulfilling that people generally think is cool... I just get panicked about going into the office at the beginning of the week and I can't really explain why.

>>18554872
Then I would advise you to start a meditation practice. Make sure your diet is in order. Go to a therapist if it doesn't get better. You can try a tea made from valerian root as well.