With Brexit still ruling our headlines, and an uncertain future for politics and business, Brexit anxiety is becoming a more notable and wide-spread issue. With everyone from MPs through to voters and citizens reporting stress-related symptoms due to the planned exit of Britain from the EU, we’ve put together this week’s guide to provide support on how to manage your reactions to the on-going uncertainty.
What is Brexit anxiety and what are the symptoms?
The definition of Brexit anxiety is “a psychological disorder afflicting individuals who worry about Brexit and its effects”. Put simply, it is any kind of anxiety that is brought on by thinking about Britain’s exit from the EU, which was announced in June 2016.
Due to the uncertainty around Brexit, many people have been affected with anxiety and related symptoms, from top-level politicians through to seasonal workers destined to work abroad. BBC News reported MP Huw Merriman attributing weight-loss to Brexit concerns, while British citizen Paul Groom experienced a heart attack due to anxiety around Brexit, after retiring and moving to France in 2017.
Similar to eco anxiety, the symptoms around Brexit anxiety include:
Anxiousness
Experiencing a sense of dread
Feelings of loss
Frustration
Helplessness
Lack of control
Restlessness
Stress and burnout
Worry
How to manage Brexit anxiety
Earlier this week, an extension until January 31st 2020 was agreed between the EU and Britain. Having seen previous extensions, and continued uncertainty around the official exit, it is unlikely that Brexit anxiety will lessen with this news. However, you can support your mental wellbeing around Brexit using the following techniques:
If you feel overwhelmed: start talking about mental health
If Brexit is causing you to feel overwhelmed in your work or life, we recommend taking steps to start talking about mental health. This could be within your workplace, with a family member, with someone you trust, or with a mental health professional.
The first step is to recognise how you feel, and when you’re ready, communicate with others. It can be something as simple as saying you feel frustrated with a held-up project, or worried about potential changes in your industry.
If this is difficult to implement within your workplace, you may wish to address your workplace culture through training too.
Additionally, you may wish to reduce your exposure to news around Brexit, and turn off any notifications that keep you engaged with the subject.
If you’re feeling uncertain: build your mental resilience
Earlier this year, we noted that Brexit is one of the biggest upheavals our economy has seen since the 2008 financial crash. While it may be difficult to predict what a post-Brexit economy looks like, it is clear that the stress caused by its uncertainty is real.
For the self-employed and employed alike, it may be worth finding ways to strengthen your mental resilience around the precarious next few months.
One of the main strategies around mental resilience is to recognise what you can control, and let go of things that are outside of your control. For business-owners and concerned individual, it’s worth looking at your own future, and planning ahead. While this may require a change of work commitments or certain investments, planning can at least provide a sense of control and security.
When things get heated: take a (tea) break
Stress-inducing situations can often escalate quickly, and there has been many heated conversations around Brexit - starting with the national vote, through to the daily back-and-forth in Parliament. If you find yourself affected by these, take a step away. Politely ask the person you are speaking with to wait, or take a moment away from the situation. If your argument is online, consider taking a break from social media. You will save face, and the practice of a familiar task such as making a cup of tea can quickly return you to a better headspace.
When burnout is imminent: join The Reignite Project
If you can sense a period of high-stress looming, which may be accelerated by Brexit uncertainty, try signing up to The Reignite Project. This is a FREE 10-week course created by Calmer, with the aim of supporting 600,000 professionals in preventing burnout.
If you work alone, as a freelancer or a business owner, you can follow the entrepreneur course, and if you’re in a team environment, invite everyone to take the business teams course. We hope to support you in nurturing a happy mind and a happy business - whatever the outcome of Brexit.