10 Helpful Hints for Dealing with Social Anxiety

Many of us have experienced Social Anxiety as children and as adults. Social Anxiety occurs when a person becomes emotionally stressed out in social situations. Social Anxiety can cause someone to be shyer, timid, fearful, embarrassed, shameful, self conscious, and have a lower self-esteem. Someone who experiences Social Anxiety may think that everyone is judging them in a negative way and that causes them to have negative emotional reactions. Some affects of Social Anxiety can include blushing, sweating, shaking, running away from social situations, depression, and panic attacks. From personal experience I can say that Social Anxiety is a serious issue and if not treated or acknowledged it can affect a person's mental stability. When I was in high school Social Anxiety affected my life so bad that anytime I was in a social environment like a class room, or with a group of strangers I started to panic and worry about people liking me. Eventually it got so bad that my doctor prescribed medication that could help my Social Anxiety and the panic attacks created by it. However, not everyone who has Social Anxiety has to take medication. There are many things you can do to help cope and overcome your social anxiety. Here are 10 Helpful Hints I have learned for Dealing with Social Anxiety.

# 10 When Feeling socially overwhelmed take some nice deep breaths

Taking deep breaths can help relax your body and make you feel a little more comfortable when dealing with Social Anxiety. By taking deep breaths slowly and evenly a person who is experiencing social anxiety will be able to keep there heart from beating fast which can help a person calm down.

# 9 Write down the things you think affect your Social Anxiety

Knowing what causes your Social Anxiety is a great way to help you learn how to over come it. So whenever you think you are experiencing Social Anxiety write down the things you think that is causing it. Then write down the things that you think would help over come your Social Anxiety.

# 8 Talk about your social Anxiety to family or friends

Talking about your Social Anxiety is a great way to deal with it. Pick a family member or friend and tell them about how you feel when you are experiencing Social Anxiety. Talking is a great way to vent and also get support and help to cope with Social Anxiety. Also when you talk to someone you are demonstrating a positive social interaction which can help you later.

# 7 Turn a worry or fear into something funny or nice

Social Anxiety is related to worrying and fear. One way to deal with Social Anxiety is associate your worries or fears with something nice or funny. Ask yourself what is one thing nice or funny about your worry or fear. Then whatever made you fear or worry will make you laugh or feel comfortable about it, and will help your Social Anxiety.

# 6 Practice Public Speaking in front of a mirror

Social Anxiety can also occur when a person has to speak in public. One way to deal with Social Anxiety when it comes to Public Speaking is to practice in front of a mirror. When you practice speaking in front of a mirror it will definitely help you cope and deal with your Social Anxiety.

# 5 Surround yourself with inspirational material

Sometimes seeing something inspirational will get you in a good mindset especially if you experience Social Anxiety.

# 4 Tell yourself you are a confident and worthy person

Social Anxiety can make someone feel less confident about who they are. To overcome that aspect of Social Anxiety tell yourself every day that you are a great, confident, and worthy person. This will help build your mindset to overcome Social Anxiety.

# 3 Meditate

Meditating is a great way to deal with Social Anxiety. When you meditate you can clear your mind from your troubles, fears, worries, and stress. It is a healthy way to relieve Social Anxiety without taking medication.

# 2 Make one goal for yourself everyday to help overcome your Social Anxiety

Think of one goal everyday that you think would help you deal or overcome your Social Anxiety. Once you think of the goal, try to accomplish it. It can be a small or big goal.

# 1 Think Positively

The best way to over come Social Anxiety is to always think positively. Negativity just feeds into Social Anxiety and makes it worth. If you have a positive mindset you will be able to feel good about yourself, who you talk to, and how you feel.

Remember Social Anxiety can be overcome, just remember that there are many ways to cope with it.

(Sources include BA in Sociology, classes in psychology, and personal experience)