10 Ways To Overcome Social Anxiety

If you find yourself getting anxious at the thought of meeting new people or speaking in front of a group, you may be suffering from social anxiety.

Social anxiety causes one to avoid social situations. Many people rely on self-medication or the abuse of drugs and alcohol to get them through these situations.

Luckily, there are methods you can use to find relief in healthy ways!

Try these effective strategies to manage social anxiety:

1. Put yourself out there.

It can be a daunting prospect, but try to accept any invitations you are given, even if you don’t particularly want to go. If you can, bring a friend, and if you can’t, find a friendly person to connect with where you go.  With a positive outlook, and a plan to find one friendly person, your anxiety can subside, knowing you have a safety net.

2. Get help from a professional.

Of course, talking to a close friend about your anxiety may help, but remember that they aren’t trained for this. Make an appointment to speak to a professional therapist. They may be able to suggest some customized coping mechanisms that would work for you.

3. Strengthen your overall health.

Did you know- not exercising and having poor nutrition can leave you feeling anxious?  Gut health is directly linked to our hormones and mental health. Eat nutritious foods and exercise regularly. Healthy food and exercise both uplift your mood and can decrease stress and anxiety. Exercise also helps to release feel-good hormones.  

*check out this article on the mind and gut connection

*Besides getting some exercise, joining a local fitness class would also allow you to practice meeting new people while those feel-good hormones are in full effect. This will make it easier for you to cope with meeting them. Plus, who knows - you might meet your new best friend! 

(With Spring weather coming up, there are many outside classes, so you can keep practicing social distancing!)

4. Write it down.

List the times that you have managed to overcome your fears. What did you do to overcome your fears in this situation? How did you feel when this happened?

* Whenever you encounter an event where you are feeling socially anxious, write that down, too. How does this situation compare with the ones on your list?

* Regular reflection of the times you were successful in combating your fears can help with current situations.

5. Congratulate yourself.

You may not be confident in public, but you have plenty of other things that you can be proud of! Recognize and remind yourself of any achievements you have made. This will help boost your confidence, which will help you overcome social issues as well.

6. Practice your social skills.

Learn how to make introductions and give compliments. Practice making eye contact and remembering names. Listen to what others have to say and keep the focus on them - not you.

* Practice with a friend...it can make for some good laughs!

*These few skills will not only help you through a social situation, but can encourage others

* Remember - others will not always remember what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel!

7. Join a support group.

Talking to others who are undergoing the same challenges as you are can be comforting. Plus, you will all be able to encourage each other and offer support and advice from your own experiences.

8. Start small and meet people online if the idea of meeting someone in person feels incredibly scary.  There are apps like Bumble BFF where there are others looking to meet new friends.

9. Remember that you don’t need to be perfect.

Those with social anxiety have a tendency to think that they need to be perfect. Yet, perfection isn’t attainable for anyone! Instead of trying to be perfect, try and enjoy the moment and have a “that’ll do” attitude.

10. Read a self-help book or watch Ted Talk videos about overcoming social anxiety.

There are many inspiring stories about others with social anxiety who have transformed their lives after overcoming their social fears. These stories can inspire you to keep trying as well.

Breaking the cycle of social anxiety will take some time and practice, but you can do this! Reward yourself for each small step you make.

Focus on the journey ahead and the steps you can take that will bring you success. Before long, you’ll look back and see how you’ve grown!

Cheering You On,