4 Tips to Help Overcome Social Anxiety

Even the coolest and most confident people can have moments of shyness. Occasional social awkwardness is normal, inevitable, and mostly unremarkable. On the other hand, Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is a diagnosable condition that dramatically impacts your life. Things that some folks take for granted—work, making friends, romantic life, and even making a phone call—become far more complicated.

SAD is not normal, inevitable, or mostly unremarkable. But it does affect at least 12 percent of Americans. The number is probably much higher due to a lack of self-reporting. But you do not have to suffer in silence. Support is available, and it includes some powerful self-help steps.

4 Tips to Help Overcome Social Anxiety

1. Healthy Choices Can Reduce Anxiety 

The first tip is something you can do on your own. You build up resilience which helps ward off some of the stress you feel. Anxiety can be reduced by practicing self-care. In addition, when you adopt a daily self-care regimen, you remind yourself that you are worth the effort. It’s a confidence builder! Some factors to consider:

• Safeguard your sleep: Lack of sleep puts you on a slippery slope to anxiety of all types. Do your best to get to bed and wake up at the same time every night and morning.

• Make healthy eating choices: Food impacts mood. Learn about your nutritional needs and act accordingly. 

• Make healthy drinking choices: Avoid or at least reduce caffeinated drinks, alcohol, and energy drinks. In one way or another, these beverages can increase anxiety symptoms. Water is always the best choice for hydration. 

• Stay physically active: Our minds and bodies thrive when we exercise. 

2. Gently Challenge Yourself

Keeping a journal will be helpful here. Make a list of social situations you find challenging. Rate them by how difficult they feel to you. Using the coping skills you’ve learned (on your own and from your therapist), gradually work through the list—easiest to hardest. 

This kind of situational exposure safely introduces you to scenarios that, at first, seem daunting. Start as small as you need to start but commit to progressing. You can ask trusted loved ones to assist if you want. Oftentimes, walking into a room full of people is easier when you are not alone. Speaking of support… 

3. Ask For Help

It can be tricky. SAD can make you feel self-conscious about talking about anything that feels like a “weakness.” So how do you tell others? Again, you can start by confiding in loved ones. Let a few trusted souls know what you are feeling and why. Everyone needs to feel understood. Give the people in your life a chance to step up and show you the support you crave.

4. Let Go of Perfectionism

People with SAD tend to be perfectionists. The fear of messing up can be a major motivator in avoiding social interactions. Therefore, this can be factored into the list you make in tip #2 above. Challenge yourself to be imperfect at least once a day.

Somewhat related is a prompt to explore your intentions. SAD can be a painful and frustrating condition. But be sure that your reasons for tackling it relate to what you need. Don’t set out to take on challenges just so you can impress others on social media. The changes that last are the ones that grow from your heart.

Therapy is a Self-Loving Option

Healing from Social Anxiety Disorder can be made smoother by committing to therapy. Meeting with a skilled guide in a place that feels safe lays a foundation for recovery. If SAD is taking away many of life’s joys, let’s connect and talk soon. I’d love to help. 

Learn more about our anxiety therapy in Plainview, New York