5 Tips For People With Social Anxiety

We all get shy from time to time. It may be due to that job interview or presentation we are about to make or a date with someone for the first time. Whatever the case may be, shyness is a huge aspect of life and affects even the most outgoing once in a while.

However, when one’s fear of social situations is so strong that it makes them avoidant and has a huge impact on their day-to-day life, then they may suffer from a condition known as social anxiety or social phobia.

Unfortunately, social anxiety is still a largely misunderstood subject in society. It is often mistaken for shyness which is milder and does not affect one’s quality of life as it does. As a result, socially anxious people tend to suffer in silence or go about confronting their anxiety the wrong way.

Here are some valuable tips that can help you slowly start to confront your fears and ultimately overcome your social anxiety.

Focus On The Outside

When in social situations, people with social anxiety tend to focus on themselves instead of the things going on around them. This makes them think they are the centre of attraction and everyone is judging them. Instead, you can turn this around by learning to focus on the external surroundings around you. When next you are in a nerve-racking situation, try studying the details of inanimate objects or people around you. It may sound weird but in time it will help you refocus your attention from yourself and interface freely with your immediate environment.

Challenge Your Negative Thoughts

Negative thoughts are one of the chief reasons for social anxiety. You might be aware of them sometimes but other times you might hardly notice them crossing through your mind. You can deal with negative thoughts by stopping them dead in their tracks and finding reasons why they are not true. You will definitely find a plethora of these reasons and come to realise in time that negative thoughts are not facts but only opinions you’ve formed about yourself over time.

Find Hobbies

Depending on the severity of your social anxiety, you may avoid social situations so much that it begins to takes a toll on your life. You can manage this by occupying yourself with hobbies that you enjoy. When you do this, you take your focus off social anxiety and prevent yourself from falling into depression.

Meditate

Meditation is a practice that has become prevalent in modern times due to the amazing benefits it provides to one’s mental state. The best part about meditation is that it is a very simple practice; all you have to do is sit comfortably in a quiet environment, focus on your breath and observe your thoughts.

Take Up CBT

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a method used in the discipline of psychology to treat phobias and other cognitive issues. If you visit a mental health professional, he/she would most likely administer CBT as a course of treatment for your social anxiety. Also, the Internet abounds with self-help CBT materials which you can work with on your own.

Self Love

It is also important to note that the journey to overcoming social anxiety is a gradual process. Always endeavour to encourage and forgive yourself for any shortcomings you have along the way. When you notice an improvement, give yourself a treat and use it as motivation to take more actionable steps towards reaching your goal.

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