Dealing with Social Anxiety can be tough but there are many things you can do to make you more comfortable in social situations. Learning to control your emotions and thoughts is not easy but it is possible to gain a considerable amount of control in little time. Adjustments in the way you react to situations can be made gradually.
Start by replacing negative thoughts with positive ones in social situations. Attempt to stop yourself when engaged in negative self-talk. Practice visualizations such as imagining yourself acting confidently and assertively in social situations. Gradually these positive behaviors will begin to emerge with enough practice.
The symptoms of social anxiety can be triggered merely by thinking of an embarrassing social experience. Vivid imagination and real life experiences act on the nervous system the same way. You can use this to your advantage. Every time you have to face your fear, play the experience in your head beforehand and imagine things going well.
Every person has experienced an embarrassing moment that they’d rather forget. Move on from these experiences rather than replay them over in your head. We tend to blow bad experiences out of proportion and avoid similar situations in the future. Remember, nobody is perfect and we all make mistakes.
Using distractions can help you take your mind off something that’s bothering you; go for a jog, go to the gym, watch a movie or take a bath. Another idea you can try is to rerun negative experiences in your head but in a positive way. Make it brighter, better and see yourself funny, confident and assertive.
Gradually change the way you act; be more assertive, make your voice louder and stand up straighter. Think of someone who is confident and charismatic and try to imitate them. Observe how they stand, how they talk and how they use their body language. Practice these new behaviors everyday and gradually introduce them into your social life.
Stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine should be avoided as they will only worsen social anxiety symptoms. Unwind with a nice hot herbal drink like chamomile tea. Give yourself time to relax when you get home; watch comedies, take a bath or listen to some soothing music.
Applying these simple tips can help alleviate social anxiety symptoms. Be patient as changes to behavior can take time. In addition there are advanced techniques you can follow to fast-track changes. For more on these advanced techniques visit the social anxiety blog.
Quick Tips For Social Anxiety from Nathan Tyler on Vimeo.
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