SOCIAL ANXIETY

Do you get extremely anxious meeting new people?
Do your everyday social situations make you overly self-conscious?
Do you feel scared that people are constantly judging you?
Do you prefer to avoid all social contact because it makes you so uncomfortable?

You might have a social phobia (also known as social anxiety disorder). Social anxiety is much more than just being an introvert or feeling shy. It can be overwhelming for those who experience it.

Here are some common social situations that tend to be troublesome for those with social anxiety:

Powerful Ways to make you Socially Confident:

Question your thoughts

Recognize your anxious thoughts that run on autopilot when you think of social situations. Once you identify those thoughts, question why you think those thoughts. See how & why you feel about it the way you do. Challenge yourself to think new thoughts.

Be mindful

Practice to be present & in the moment. Become aware of your feelings & thoughts without judging yourself. Mindfulness is a proven technique that can help you conquer your fears & inhibitions.

Rate your anxiety

Analyse each of your social interactions & rate how they make you feel in terms of the level of anxiousness. Make a list & write down how you feel about these situations.

Breathe

Anxiety can increase your heart beat, cause dizziness & tension in the muscles. Teach yourself to take back control of your body through slow & steady breathing.

Be kind to yourself

All of us can feel anxious & embarrassed at point or another. Even if you slip back into your old thought patterns, be kind to yourself & take a minute to focus on the present.

Exposure Therapy

Unless & until you put yourself out there in situations that make you anxious, you cannot overcome your social anxiety. Studies reveal that exposure therapy is highly effective in treating anxiety disorders.

Fighting social anxiety requires formation of new neural pathways in your brain. There will be times when it almost feels impossible to overcome it, but the fact is that with a little help, you can successfully overcome it and lead a stress free happy social life.