Social anxiety is a very common issue that many people experience in their lives. It can be caused by different factors such as feeling inferior, low self-esteem, and lack of confidence. Although it is quite normal to feel anxious around other people, it shouldn’t stop you from living a full life and enjoying the company of others.
There are several ways that you can use to break through the barriers of social anxiety and start feeling more comfortable in social situations.
Table of Contents
- 1. Find Out What Causes You Social Anxiety
- 2. Listening Much But Say Less At the Beginning
- 3. Talk More About the Topic You Have Knowledge
- 4. Try to Relax and Have Positive Thoughts
- 5. Practice Talking to People
- 6. Train Yourself When You’re Alone
- 7. Don’t Worry About What Other People Think
- 8. Exercise Regularly
- 9. Try Yoga and Mediation
- 10. Drink Coffee
- 11. Try Public Speaking
- 12. Seek Professional Help
- Final Thought
1. Find Out What Causes You Social Anxiety
The first step in overcoming social anxiety is to identify the root cause. Everyone has different triggers for feeling anxious, such as personality, family problems, early life changes, or even traumatic events.
So it’s recommended to think deeply about what causes you to feel anxious in particular situations or around certain people. Knowing the source of your fear will help you better understand how to manage it.
2. Listening Much But Say Less At the Beginning
When you’re determined to overcome your social anxiety, you can try to get close to the social groups you have, sit down with others, listen to what they’re talking about, observe if they’re nervous when talking, and learn how they deal with anxiety if they have.
Try to say less if you’re afraid, and as time goes by, you can gradually say more.
3. Talk More About the Topic You Have Knowledge
When you join a conversation, the best way to let others know you is to talk about topics that you are knowledgeable and passionate about. In this way, you’ll demonstrate to others that you have something to contribute to the conversation which can help you feel more confident in the situation and may reduce some of your anxiety.
You can feel others’ recognization from their eyes and nods during your speech. As your confidence grows, so will your ability to interact with others without feeling nervous.
4. Try to Relax and Have Positive Thoughts
It’s normal to feel anxious before entering a social situation. A good way to avoid feeling overwhelmed is to take some time for yourself, take deep breaths, be calm, and try to stay relaxed.
Also, you should focus on positive thoughts rather than negative ones. Think of all the things that could go right in the situation instead of worrying about things that could go wrong.
5. Practice Talking to People
The more you practice talking and interacting with people, the more comfortable you will feel in social situations. Start small by joining a conversation or introducing yourself to someone at a party or gathering.
As time goes on, you can challenge yourself further by talking to different types of people or even leading a conversation.
6. Train Yourself When You’re Alone
Sometimes you’re anxious because you don’t know how to express yourself (your feeling or what you want to say) to others. In this case, you can practice in the mirror or with somebody you trust. This will help build your confidence and make it easier to express yourself in public.
7. Don’t Worry About What Other People Think
Sometimes you feel anxious because you’re too care about what others think of you. If you find yourself worrying too much about what other people think of you, try to focus on yourself and the conversation instead. As you know that everyone has their own insecurities and fears, so worrying about judgment won’t help your situation.
8. Exercise Regularly
Another way to overcome social anxiety is to exercise regularly. Exercise can help reduce stress and make you feel more confident in yourself. Regular physical activity can also help clear your mind, boost your self-esteem, and increase your overall mood which may all contribute towards overcoming social anxiety.
9. Try Yoga and Mediation
You need to calm down if you feel nervous in a social relationship. You can try yoga and meditation. Both of them will help you to reduce stress, improve breathing, and relax your body. Regular practice of these activities can also give you a better understanding of yourself and build self-awareness which is essential in overcoming social anxiety.
10. Drink Coffee
Coffee is known to have many positive effects, including boosting your alertness, increasing your focus, and reducing anxiety. A cup of coffee can help you feel more awake and energized in social situations which will make it easier for you to overcome your fear. Just make sure that you don’t overdo it as too much caffeine can have adverse effects.
11. Try Public Speaking
Public speaking can even make a public speaker nervous, so it is normal you’ll also become anxious.
It seems like an overwhelming task for you suffering from social anxiety, but it’s a great way to challenge yourself and practice overcoming your fear. You’ll find speaking in front of some people is just a piece of cake after you have made a public speaking for hundreds of people.
12. Seek Professional Help
If you still find yourself unable to manage your social anxiety on your own, maybe you can seek professional help. A mental health expert can provide valuable advice and introduce techniques that will help you overcome your fear of social situations. With their assistance, you can develop the necessary skills to cope with your anxiety and start enjoying social interactions again.
Final Thought
Start with small talk in front of one or two people and eventually work your way up to speaking in a larger group. With each success, you will gain confidence which can go a long way in overcoming social anxiety.
