According to Mental Health America (MHA), approximately 15 million Americans experience social anxiety. Indeed, social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a mental health condition that occurs when the fear of social situations leads to avoidance and disruption of daily activities. People with SAD often worry about humiliating themselves while dreading interacting with new people. It also causes physical symptoms like dizziness, muscle tension, blushing, and trembling. Fortunately, you can overcome social anxiety and live a more fulfilled life. Here are some helpful tips to achieve the best results.
Ask for help
Admittedly, you may feel embarrassed to admit that you get anxious in social situations. However, getting support can be the first step to overcoming social anxiety. A support system can help you escape isolation since you interact with others. Moreover, you can learn helpful tips to help you feel more comfortable in social settings while getting the satisfaction of helping others. Platforms like Meetup, ADAA, and NSAC websites can help you find a credible support group. You can also work with a mental health counselor to get the best results.
You can also open up to trusted family and friends about your struggles. They can help you navigate social gatherings while boosting your confidence. However, it’s helpful to learn from your loved ones whenever you are in the midst of people to promote independence.
Address your body image struggles
Research indicates that poor body image is linked to social anxiety disorder. People who don’t feel good about themselves find it difficult to interact with others and build relationships. Most often, they find themselves worrying about how others find them unattractive. However, you can take the right steps to eliminate your body image struggles. For instance, a regular workout routine is a great way to do so. If you are considering shedding some pounds, there are other fitness alternatives such as the military diet that are also helpful, so keep this in mind. If you choose this route, you can consider familiarizing yourself with the best military diet drinks for great results.
Experts also advise that you spend time with positive people and avoid comparing yourself with others. You can also treat your body to something nice, like new clothes, a hairdo, a skincare routine, etc. Consequently, avoid succumbing to media portrayals of a perfect appearance. As a tip, document things you love about your body and repeat positive affirmations to yourself daily.
Tackle anxiety-inducing situations gradually
It’s not uncommon to avoid situations that induce social anxiety. However, this may not be an effective way to overcome it. Experts advise that you tackle these situations gradually instead of avoiding them. This way, you can quickly stop the cycle of anticipating fearful actions and reverting to avoidance strategies. If you don’t enjoy being in large groups, you can start by meeting with a friend. You can gradually build up the number of friends to hang out with until you can comfortably visit the restaurants, bars, parties, etc. You can also practice speaking with closest friends and proceed to strangers until you can start conversations easily.
