The best jobs for people with anxiety involve stress-free careers with quiet work environments and manageable workloads. Flexible job options, work-from-home jobs, and introvert-friendly jobs all belong in this category, allowing individuals to work at their own pace and in settings that promote mental well-being.
Such roles include graphic designer, librarian, and writer, to name a few, and prove that it’s possible to find a balance between mental health and career and succeed without risking burnout.
In this article, we’ll list a few jobs for people with anxiety, detailing the role requirements and the benefits these careers offer. In addition, we’ll offer some helpful tips on how to reduce and manage anxiety during a job search and at work.
Let’s begin!
Key Takeaways
Some of the best jobs for people with anxiety include graphic design, gardening, data entry, writing, interior design, and social media management.
Many careers for these people have a creative element, which helps lower stress levels and allows individuals to focus on tasks that engage their imagination.
Structured responsibilities, remote work, and flexible hours are some of the qualities of roles that suit anxiety-prone people.
To reduce anxiety while searching for a job, you should craft a customizable resume and cover letter, prepare for the interview, prioritize self-care, manage your schedule, and reach out for support.
Some of the ways you can manage your anxiety at work include taking regular breaks, practicing breathing exercises, breaking tasks down into smaller steps, and staying organized.
7+ Jobs For People With Anxiety With Salaries and Requirements
Jobs for people with anxiety generally have well-defined expectations and responsibilities, just like any other career. Many of them offer remote work options, allowing for a more comfortable and low-stress environment.
Without further ado, here are the top careers for people with anxiety:
#1. Graphic Designer
Graphic design is one of the best remote jobs for anxiety-prone individuals for several reasons. First of all, it offers freelance options, allowing for completely autonomous work where you can set your own pace and choose the setting and working hours. In addition, it provides a creative outlet, which is a great way to distract yourself from feelings of anxiety.
Graphic designers create visual content, such as typography and images, for branding, advertising, and promotional purposes. Therefore, a good graphic designer's resume should highlight attentiveness to detail, creativity, and proficiency in design software.
This job pays $58,910 a year on average and typically requires a strong portfolio and a solid understanding of design principles.
#2. Librarian
The role of a librarian is among the top jobs for people with anxiety thanks to the quiet setting, minimal social interactions, and well-structured tasks that allow for a calm, organized work environment.
While a librarian needs to help customers access and use resources, the interactions are generally brief and focused, ensuring a manageable workload with minimal stress.
Among other responsibilities are organizing community events and managing library collections. With this in mind, the most in-demand librarian skills include time management, research, and organizational skills.
As for educational requirements, you typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree to land such a job. If you want to pursue this career path, you can expect an average annual pay of $64,370.
#3. Gardener
Gardening is one of the ideal low-stress jobs, as it offers exposure to nature and a calming work environment. While it can be physically demanding, especially when you consider the unpredictable weather, the repetitive tasks, fresh air, and solitude can lower anxiety levels.
These individuals work for garden centers, local councils, or private clients. Their duties involve planting and trimming trees and shrubs, preserving soil quality, and caring for lawns. For these reasons, they need to be physically fit and have solid problem-solving skills to recognize plant health issues and adapt to changing weather conditions. As for their median annual pay, it is around $45,000.
#4. Massage Therapist
Being a massage therapist means working in a quiet, peaceful setting surrounded by the smell of essential oils. This can be one of the perfect jobs for people with anxiety—it includes structured routines, a calm environment, and a chance to help others while focusing on soothing movements.
A massage therapist uses different massage techniques to reduce muscle pain, relieve stress, and improve circulation, targeting specific areas of discomfort. Since they work with people, they need to have good communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills.
When applying for this job, a well-crafted massage therapist cover letter can help highlight these abilities and land a role that pays $55,310 a year on average.
#5. Data Entry Clerk
Data entry is among the best jobs for people with anxiety because it often allows for independent work in a low-stress environment. The responsibilities are well-defined and straightforward, making it easier to focus on tasks without feeling overwhelmed. Moreover, many data entry jobs offer flexible hours or remote work options, further reducing stress.
The role involves gathering data from clients, entering it into companies’ databases, and preparing periodic reports. Therefore, a good data entry resume should emphasize fast and accurate typing, attention to detail, and time management. If this job seems like a good fit, you can expect a median annual salary of $40,540.
#6. Writer
Writing is one of the best careers for anxiety-prone people for many of the same reasons as graphic design. For starters, it can perfectly shift your focus away from intrusive thoughts.
In addition, it allows for flexibility regarding both the work setting and hours. Whether they write content, create scripts, or craft novels, writers can do so in a calm and comfortable environment. Aside from creativity, a writer's resume should include strong research skills, attention to detail, and adaptability to different styles.
If you have stories to tell, writing may be the perfect job for you, especially considering the rewarding pay of around $73,690 a year.
#7. Interior Designer
Another creative role on our list, interior design, also offers a flexible working environment—most interior designers work alone or within a small team, minimizing social stressors. Additionally, it allows you to visualize your ideas and bring them to life in a way that can be both soothing and rewarding.
With a balance between structure and creativity, this is one of the top jobs for people with anxiety and a peaceful and fulfilling career path. A well-crafted interior design resume should highlight skills in design software, project management, and attention to detail.
The median annual salary for interior designers is $62,510, with opportunities for growth as experience increases.
#8. Social Media Manager
While the role of a social media manager can be dynamic due to the need to stay on top of trends, much of the work can be done independently. In fact, many social media managers work remotely or as freelancers, with flexible hours and the ability to manage their own workload.
The project-based work, specific deadlines, and structured tasks—such as scheduling posts and analyzing data—make this role one of the best jobs for people with anxiety. A strong social media manager’s resume should highlight skills in data analysis, content creation, and strategy development.
Although the median annual pay can vary depending on experience and industry, some social media managers earn up to $156,580 a year.
5 Handy Tips for Reducing Your Anxiety When Job Searching
The key tips for reducing your anxiety when job searching include crafting a customizable resume and cover letter, practicing interview questions, and reaching out for support.
Let’s look into each of them in detail:
#1. Craft a Customizable Resume and Cover Letter
Job hunting is undoubtedly stressful, even more so if you’re struggling with anxiety. For this reason, crafting a customizable resume and cover letter can help you feel less overwhelmed while sending out your applications. This way, you will know that you did all that was in your power to present yourself as a strong candidate.
With a good resume builder, such as the one offered by Resume.co, you can quickly create polished, professional documents tailored to each position you apply for without the stress of starting from scratch.
The same goes for the cover letter—using our cover letter builder can help you craft a well-structured, personalized letter within minutes, making the application process smoother.
This way, you’ll have more control over your job search, reducing anxiety and raising your chances of leaving a strong impression on potential recruiters.
#2. Prepare for the Interview
Interviews are likely the most anxiety-inducing part of a job search. Talking to a stranger, having a limited amount of time to present yourself in the best possible light, and worrying about making a mistake can all contribute to heightened stress levels. Fortunately, preparing in advance can help you reduce some of that nervousness and boost confidence.
Start by researching the company by exploring its official website and LinkedIn page. This way, you’ll get familiar with its culture, vision, and mission and be able to use that knowledge during the interview. In addition, you can practice your answers at a mock interview, in front of a mirror, or in front of someone you feel comfortable with.
#3. Practice Self-Care
Practicing self-care can not only help you feel less overwhelmed during your job search but also reduce your anxiety overall. When you feel your mind is racing, instead of overthinking everything that can go wrong, let your thoughts flow freely without getting stuck on any one idea.
Focusing on your breathing and taking slow breaths can help you stay grounded in the present moment. Guided meditation and mindfulness can also have a calming effect, allowing you to release tension and refocus your energy on what you can control.
Moreover, don’t disregard the importance of quality sleep and exercise. These healthy habits can reduce your cortisol levels, boost your mood, and improve your overall well-being. As a result, you’ll be able to approach your job search with a clearer mindset.
#4. Manage Your Schedule
Going through job ads and sending out applications can be quite overwhelming, so much so that you may feel like that’s all you do. To avoid stressing yourself out over which postings you’ve seen, you can manage these tasks by creating a simple schedule.
For example, you can allocate a certain amount of time each day to review job ads and mark those you’ve already applied for so that you can easily keep track of your progress. Similarly, you can schedule time slots to work on your resume and cover letter.
The point is—if you divide your job hunt into smaller, more manageable steps, you’ll complete the process more efficiently without excessive stress.
#5. Reach Out for Support
If your anxiety is interfering with your daily life as well as your job search, reaching out for support may be the best thing you can do for your well-being. Talking to someone you trust, like a friend or a family member, can give you a different perspective, offer encouragement, and help you feel less isolated in the process.
Seeking professional help is also advisable, as a therapist can provide you with tools for managing your anxiety on a day-to-day basis. They can also help you develop coping mechanisms specifically tailored to the challenges you face during your job search.
How to Reduce and Manage Anxiety at Work
Finally, here are some tips on how to reduce and manage anxiety at work:
Tips for Reducing and Managing Anxiety
Practice breathing exercises. Taking two short inhales and one long exhale in stressful situations can help you refocus your thoughts and calm your nerves.
Take regular breaks. Avoid overworking yourself. Instead, take some time to yourself in between tasks to relax, recharge, and minimize the chances of burnout.
Communicate your concerns and needs clearly. Talk about any workload-related challenges you may be facing to your supervisor or coworkers to ensure support, set boundaries, and reduce stress.
Break down tasks. Instead of forcing yourself to finish a task in one sitting, break it down into smaller steps. This way, you’ll be efficient without feeling overwhelmed.
Challenge negative thoughts. Recognize anxious thought patterns, question their validity, and replace them with positive affirmations to lower your stress levels.
Focus on your well-being. Engage in activities that relax you outside of work. Restful sleep, good eating habits, and regular exercise can do wonders for your mental health.
Set realistic goals and expectations for yourself. Trying to accomplish too much too soon can stress you out and have a counter effect. To stay on track, set milestones that are achievable and measurable.
Stay organized. Use to-do lists and time-management strategies to prioritize tasks, stay focused, and avoid feeling overwhelmed by your workload.
Final Thoughts
The best jobs for people with anxiety involve structured tasks and often offer remote work options and flexible working hours. In such positions, you can usually manage your workload at your own pace and do so in a peaceful and calming setting, such as your home.
Additionally, many of these jobs are creative, which can largely benefit people with anxiety. This means that if you channel your energy into artistic tasks, you can refocus your thoughts, reduce stress, and experience a sense of accomplishment.
And finally, these roles allow for a healthy balance between productivity and mental well-being, offering opportunities to thrive without feeling overwhelmed. With a focus on creativity, flexibility, and structure, they provide an ideal environment for anxiety-prone individuals and promote both professional satisfaction and personal peace.
