Putting yourself out there, making friends, and socializing should be fun. But for many people, these things are easier said than done. If you suffer from social anxiety, you know that these situations bring on more than just minor nervousness or butterflies. Theyβre a source of distress, anxiety, self-doubt, and fear.
If you are struggling with this, I want you to know that you are not alone. Social anxiety is widespread and perfectly normal. There is nothing abnormal about you. Happiness and fulfillment are also vital to you.
If anxiety is causing you to avoid social situations and miss out on joyful experiences, you can learn to manage it and even beat it! You have the power to improve your happiness and reclaim your life.
If youβre not familiar with social anxiety, I hope youβll still read this article and gain insight into how those around you might be feeling and what you might do to be a source of support and encouragement.
Below are five effective ways to reduce social anxiety. Give them a shot, as theyβre likely to help you regain control, feel calmer and experience more joy!
Control Your Breathing
When you become anxious, your breathing speeds up. Hyperventilation (over-breathing) may cause additional symptoms such as lightheadedness, palpitations, sweating, and weakness. Youβre already tense, so you donβt need to add any more anxiety-inducing signs to the list!
The irony is that when hyperventilating, you typically feel like youβre not getting enough oxygen when in reality, youβre getting too much. Slowing your breathing will help you to calm down and regain control. The next time you find yourself sweating under the collar while at a social event, try this breathing exercise to help bring back your calm:
- Inhale deeply and slowly through your nose for 4 seconds.
- Hold your breath for 4 seconds.
- Exhale slowly through your mouth for 4 seconds.
- Continue to breathe this way β slow and steady β until you feel your anxiety subside and your breathing return to normal.
Focus Your Attention on Others
Anxiety likes to control your thoughts, so try to focus your thoughts elsewhere. Do your best to engage the people around you and make genuine connections. Ask them open-ended questions and listen to what they have to say. Smile, nod, encourage them, and make them feel good. Youβll distract yourself from your anxiety and possibly distract someone else from theirs (they might be dealing with the same anxieties!). You might get to know some genuinely kind and interesting people without intending to, maybe even a future tribe member!
Challenge Your Thinking
Social anxiety causes a lot of self-doubt and concern about what will happen in social situations. Common examples include:
- No one will like me!
- Iβm going to look stupid.
- People are going to laugh at me!
- Everyone is going to think Iβm boring!
- Iβm not as smart/fun/attractive/interesting as the rest.
- People will be able to tell that Iβm anxious and insecure.
Can you relate? Guess what? Most people are thinking about themselves. Not in a self-absorbed egotistical way. They are thinking about their insecurities. Some of the most outwardly self-assured and confident people you know battle the same self-doubt that you do. So while your anxiety is torturing you over what people might be thinking and saying about you, those same people are likely too worried about what everyone else is thinking and saying about them to be passing judgment on you.
Commit to start changing the way you think. Ask yourself what you think will happen in a specific social situation. Then, honestly evaluate your concerns. Is there evidence to support them? How likely is it that each of these things will happen? What would be the worst-case scenario if one of them did happen? Whatβs the actual risk? What can I do to cope and better handle myself?
Face Your Fear
Challenging yourself to step out of your comfort zone and face your fear is one of the best things. It can be scary, but itβs much more rewarding than giving in and avoiding social situations. Itβs one thing to be nervous or hesitant. But when you give in to avoidance, youβre ensuring that youβll never get past this challenge.
I recommend taking one small step at a time. Start with something easy that you know you can handle, and gradually work your way up. If speaking up during business meetings kicks your nerves into high gear, try planning a question to ask in advance. Practice saying it aloud. Then, commit to asking this question during the meeting. If attending parties makes you anxious, ask a fun friend to go with you. Youβll have that built-in comfort that will help ease your nerves and prepare you to take a more significant step down the line.
Consider Professional Guidance
If youβve tried the self-help path and still struggling, take comfort in knowing that you have other options. I love the holistic approach and all that natural medicine offers. But I also fully support pharmaceutical drugs when needed. Modern medicine provides incredible and effective options with little to no side effects. Even better? You donβt have to choose one βsideβ over the other. Natural remedies and modern medicine can complement each other and provide you with unique options that can significantly (and safely) improve your life.
Therapy and modern medicine may not be your first option, but they can be incredibly effective! Talk to your doctor for a good dose of helpful, professional advice.
Imagine it. Imagine how your life would be different if you were to overcome your social anxiety. You have the power to do it. If the desire is there, I encourage you to step up andΒ become your own Health Hero! Learning to face your fears, gain control and enjoy a happier life is one of the best gifts you can give yourself!
Make healthy living a part of every day.
The light in me honors the light in you. Namaste.
Dr. Nandi
Parthaβs Rx
- Pay attention to your behavior. We often donβt even notice what we do in social situations to feel safer and more secure. Aim to become more aware of the things you do to protect yourself. Youβll better understand your behavior and discover habits you might want to change.
- Be kind to yourself. Overcoming social anxiety can be challenging, and it might take some time to notice improvements. Transformation doesnβt happen overnight. Be patient with yourself. Allow yourself the time you need to change and gain confidence. Recognize this brave thing that you are doing to live a happier life!
- Be kind to others. Many people hide their anxiety well. You canβt always tell just by looking at someone what challenges theyβre facing. When presented with the opportunity, take a moment to bring a little joy to someoneβs day. Offer them a sincere smile, encourage them, ask them about their lives, and listen! Youβll make genuine connections, nourish your soul and possibly help someone ease their social anxiety. Now thatβs a gift!
- Consider Adding Adrenal Support to your Regimen: The adrenal glands play a crucial role in regulating your body’s “fight or flight” response, which is a key element of how we react to stress. My Adrenal Support supplement is designed to nourish and support the health of these glands, thereby enhancing your body’s ability to balance stress hormones and respond to tension effectively. Adrenal Support can lead to better stress management, improved mood, and potentially enhanced energy levels, as well as more balanced ‘fight or flight’ reactions.
