If you are someone that deals with social anxiety, it can be hard enough to handle daily situations.
BUT social situations are downright brutal.
But you don’t have to be CONSTANTLY CANCELLING YOUR PLANS!
Here are a few tips to help you deal!
Bring a Friend
This is probably something you already do.
And if you still don’t, PLEASE DO!
When you have social anxiety disorder, being with other people you barely or don’t know makes you clam up.
Being alone and being left to feel sorry for yourself or something always brings those fearful feelings, like they won’t like you or that they would think your hair is messy.
You don’t feel confident enough to just go up to people you don’t know and strike up conversations, so you end up not going, or sitting in the corner and just hope people approach you instead.
A better option is to bring someone with you, whether it’s a friend, relative, or significant other. Being around someone else who you know and trust can help improve your mood and confidence, and allow you to be social when needed.
The next thing you should do is to learn easy ways to relax and de-stress before the social event.
This is going to depend on what works best for you, as it can be different for everyone.
You can try some deep breathing exercises, go for a walk, or eat a healthy and filling meal.
Writing in a journal can also help you relax. I am really loving this journal!
Yoga and meditation can also help.
Try to find what works for you, then make sure you save enough time for this relaxing practice before you are to go to the social event.
Find a Distraction
When you get to the event or social situation, you may need something to distract you from your anxious and fearful emotions.
This is why.
The more you experience these emotions and feelings, the worse your anxiety is going to become.
The best thing you can do is find something that will distract you.
This might be as simple as looking at something on your phone, to staying by the food area and eating. You can also find something like watching a group of people play a game to help distract you.
There are no hard and fast rules here. But doing something like reading a book while at a busy restaurant and eating alone makes a drastic difference in how you will feel.
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