6 Tips to Overcome Social Anxiety

Social anxiety is when you feel nervous, tense or uncomfortable in social situations because you’re worried other people are judging you. Almost everyone has experienced social anxiety at one point or another. Life is rife with moments of self-consciousness – from job interviews to first dates we all occasionally feel nervous around other people. But social anxiety becomes a problem when it’s so frequent or intense that it gets in the way of important things in your life. You might not apply for a dream job because it requires an interview, or you might find it hard to be around even family and friends because you’re so worried about what they think of you. 

If social anxiety has prevented you from doing the things you want, such as making new friends or going on dates, you’re not alone. Social anxiety is an extremely common mental health condition. For people with social anxiety, interacting with others in social situations does not come easily and, in some cases, downright scary. This intense discomfort experienced from being in social situations can be stressful and a source of worry. In this article, we will look at social anxiety disorders as a concept and give useful tips to overcome it.

What is social anxiety disorder?

The Mayo Clinic describes social anxiety as a chronic mental health condition. Social anxiety disorder is more than just feeling shy or nervous. It is a more intense feeling that they may likely embarrass themselves if exposed to socializing, so they are faced with the crippling fear of humiliating themselves in front of others. It leaves them wondering why it is only me going through this, especially when they see others having fun and coping in such a situation.

Some common situations where it arises are:

• Speaking in front of a group

• Talking to strangers

• Being the center of attention (such as when you are hosting a dinner)

• Speaking to authority figures (such as your boss)

• Answering the phone

• Eating or drinking in front of others

• Talking to someone you find attractive

6 Tips to address social anxiety: 

1. Ask for help / Online Therapy 

Sometimes, social anxiety may be overwhelming, and often, people with social anxiety are left feeling down in the dumps because of it. We understand that during the battle for control over your life, it could get like that full of angry questions and unhappiness.

However, do not despair or shut yourself in. There are lots of avenues for you to ask for help. You can speak to your GP, try support groups that focus on social anxiety or online therapy can be extremely useful. You can work with a psychotherapist from the comfort of your own home and consider therapeutic approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy. 

2. Don’t be too hard on yourself 

Everyone is going through one thing or the other. In your case, it is a social anxiety disorder. If you keep putting yourself under undue pressure to get better by setting unrealistic expectations and beating yourself up if any slip up happens during a social situation, you could hinder your growth process and even worsen the situation.

No one said it is going to be easy, and things like this do not leave with a snap of the finger or with one self-affirmation. Be patient with yourself. Some days may be carefree, some hard, but don’t give up. You can pull through.

3. Have a plan when entering into social situations.

Do some mental preparation and have a plan for where you are going. Also keep in mind who will be there that you will be most comfortable with in case you start feeling overwhelmed. Having a familiar face that you can retreat to will help. 

4. Keep A Journal

You could detail your struggles, things that made you laugh or cry, and even how best to improve your habits, which would be tailored towards coping with social situations.

5. Eat well and exercise

Taking care of your mind also involves the body. There is just something about eating a balanced meal, drinking water adequately, and regular exercise that makes you feel on top of the world. Like you have everything under control.

Healthy living nourishes not only your body but also your mind. So, when next you are looking to skip breakfast, think again. Eating healthy puts a stop to stress eating, which may predispose you to obesity and eating disorders.

Exercise also helps you keep fit and even gain more confidence in yourself and your body. If you sign up for a gym, you are also taking a massive step out of your comfort zone as you would be exposed to people. Who knows, you may make a friend or two while you’re at it.

6. Learn some breathing techniques 

Studies show that slow breathing can help prompt a sense of tranquility.

But sometimes we forget to breathe. It sounds silly, but when we are tense or anxious, our breath is the first thing to go. To overcome this, try grounding yourself by slowing your breathing and being in the present moment.

You can do this by inhaling for eight counts and exhaling for eight counts. This is a great exercise to practice anytime — it can be simultaneously calming and energizing.

In conclusion, be patient, and do not stress yourself any further; you are already on your way to recovery. If you need expert help, you can arrange an appointment with a Fettle therapist .