yeah, me. i think it is b/c your mind is idle...

You probably are anxious when you are busy, your mind just has a diversion, so you're not focusing on it, and you are getting a chance to burn up some of that extra adrenalin. During the lull, do some relaxed breathing exercises, take a break with a cup of green tea. just the act of getting some tea and breathing will help you to focus on relaxing, not on the anxiety.

That is because you can only feel anxious when you are thinking about being anxious. That is why not paying attention to anxious thoughts and feelings and trying to distract yourself is always the best thing to do.

I have the exact same issue! I'm fine when I'm busy but when it's slow I think too much. It's like I can't be alone with my thoughts - I know it sounds crazy. I definitely agree that it's because your mind is idle and then you are thinking about it. It got to the point where I had to quit a job due to panic attacks. I've done a lot of thinking and soul searching trying to pin point where the anxiety/panic attacks at work were coming from. I came to the realization that in a way I "feel trapped" or "feel like I can't leave". For example, it's 9am and I'm feeling a little anxiety. Then I freak myself out thinking "OMG, I have to be here for 8 more hours! I can't leave until then, I have to deal with my anxiety for that long!" Then I start to feel trapped and start to look for an out. It's horrible!! Since this has happened before and given me panic attacks at work, the cycle just repeats itself. I'm really trying to work on coping with this. I'm not working right now but I need to get back to work. This is going to be extremely difficult for me. I'm getting really panicky just thinking about it. However, I feel the first step in dealing with this is pin pointing the cause and really working on trying to over come it.

The worse fear is the fear of fear itself. With anxiety, to switch off the anxiety from going into high alert requires the determination that you are busy, even when you are resting.
It's when we are planning the anxiety through time management tasks that it sometimes switches, and we have to push through the moment and take control back.
Distract your usual pattern by moving, drinking, and keep at it.
You can do this!

This happens to me all the time. I actually had to leave work early the other day because of it. Its really hard to have anxiety at work because you obviously need your job and when you have panic attacks it doesn't help. It sucks feeling trapped. Anyone tried medication to help?

Yes it happened to me too when I worked. My mind would wander onto other things that were bothering me when I would work. It was really hard. I do this at home too. I really liked some of the answers that you received here like having some green tea, trying to relax and not think about what is bothering you and people who have overcome this kind of thing. It actually helped me. I have taken a medicine at home with anxiety but I am not sure how taking a medicine at work would help because it could make you feel sick but it might be what you have to do.

I agree with Lilygirl! Been there in your spot, lots of times what makes you the most anxious is wondering why you are anxious, which makes you more anxious because you really don't know.... see the drill?

Make sure your day is planned out. Stay organized. Get plenty of rest. Stay busy but remember to take breaks and focus on relaxing, I find getting out of my office and walking around the building, etc. works. Dont use work to stay unanxious, as you will have to stop work sometime during the day. Remove yourself from your surroundings if you get anxious, relax a bit then come back to your desk.

i know this sounds hokey but you could have available some papers to sort thru or a professional journal to read. i am going thru a really rough time right now and sat at the computer for the last 2 hours sorting thru old papers and it took my mind off of the anxiety for a bit...

i totally understand it! i'm like that today...some days i can't concentrate & i work in the same type of environment.
good luck to you, to me & to all!
go away anxiety...go awaaaaaaaaay..
breathe..
breathe..
breathe..
lol