If you've received a cancer diagnosis, you've probably also experienced some level of anxiety. A recent Fast Company article on calming strategies for high-achieving, anxious minds resonated with us, because so many of the people we work with are exactly that: driven, capable, and doing their best to keep it all together.

One thing worth naming is that stress and anxiety, while related, are actually different problems. Stress tends to ease once you've addressed what triggered it. Anxiety can linger even when there's no active crisis, keeping your thoughts looping and making focus, motivation, and decision-making harder. For someone navigating a cancer diagnosis at work, that distinction matters. The anxiety you feel isn't just about this week's deadline or your next appointment — it can take on a life of its own, and recognizing that is the first step.

Taking breaks is one of the most underrated tools available to you. For people who are performance-oriented, this can feel counterintuitive — but stepping away from your desk, even briefly, genuinely improves cognitive function, focus, and problem-solving when you return. When your body is working harder than usual, so is your mind. Protecting your mental bandwidth isn't a luxury; it's part of staying in the game.

Anxiety at work can also show up in subtler ways: difficulty concentrating, second-guessing decisions, or feeling like you need to over-explain yourself to colleagues. It can help to pause and identify what's actually driving the feeling. Is it a specific situation — a performance review, uncertainty about disclosure, fear of falling behind — or is it more ambient? Knowing the source can help you figure out whether the situation calls for a practical solution or simply a bit more self-compassion.

Small, concrete rituals can also make a real difference during the workday. Stepping outside for a few minutes between meetings, keeping a short to-do list so your brain isn't holding everything at once, or even just closing unnecessary browser tabs can reduce the low-grade mental noise that feeds anxiety. These aren't dramatic interventions — they're quiet ways of giving your nervous system a chance to reset.

Finally, if anxiety is consistently getting in the way, it's worth talking to a mental health professional who understands the pressures of working through or after cancer. Our career coaches can also help you think through workplace-specific stressors and strategies. You don't have to navigate this alone — and you don't have to have it all figured out to keep showing up.