Are you the kind of person who panics, feels tense, nervous or uncomfortable in social situations? If yes, then know that you are not alone! According to a research, it’s a condition that affects over 15 million American adults. In such a condition, even the thought of going to an event, picnic, attending a wedding ceremony or birthday party may sound like a blast to you. However, these kinds of gatherings can be no less than crippling social anxiety.

We all feel nervous around other people at one point or another in our lives. But social anxiety becomes a big problem when it’s so intense and instant that it starts getting in the way of the most essential things in your life. You might not go for a job because you will have to be a part of corporate world meaning that you will have to be around people, or you might not spend quality time with your family and friends because you are worried about what they think of you or how you will be able to continue the conversation. You might avoid going to big gatherings just because you can’t help but worry about other people judging you.

In case, you have the fear of interacting with other people, we have good news for you: this kind of disorder can be dealt with easily. Once this condition is managed the right way, it will never stand in the way of a fulfilling life. Here are a few effective tips on tackling social anxiety so that your day-to-day events become less overwhelming.

Start Small

If you are well-aware of the fact that you have social anxiety, then don’t make the mistake of jumping into big social situations. What you can do is go to restaurants with friends or family members, in turn, you will get used to eating in public. 

When you are in public, ensure that you make eye contact with people on the street or at the mall you are shopping from. Don’t be afraid to say hello. If you come across someone who instantly initiates a conversation with you, make sure you ask them questions in return. These questions could be about their hobbies or favorite movies and series.

Imagine the Worst-Case Scenario

People with social anxiety overthink a lot; they worry about making a mistake and think that their mistakes will have far worse consequences; but that’s not actually true. If you are always worried about stumbling over your words, then you should take a moment to ask yourself what the worst thing would happen if you ended up stumbling over your words during a serious and important conversation. 

Would people mock you or go to your friends and let them know that you stumbled over your words? No, absolutely not! They would not even notice it; even if they notice, they would forget about it instantly and continue the conversation.

Share How You Feel

Suppressing or not dealing with anxiety the right way will actually trigger your anxiety. The most effective thing that you could do is consider sharing your experience with friends and family. If you are not comfortable talking about your feelings with people close to you, you can talk about them to psychiatrists online via Windstream kinetic. 

You should not feel ashamed of your anxiety nor should you be reluctant to talk about it. Many people think that mental illness is a weakness that is a reason why fewer people tend to admit what they are going through. There is absolutely nothing wrong with experiencing a mental health illness and it’s completely okay to talk about it.             

Don’t Anticipate a Lot

You need to keep reminding yourself that there is nothing worse than anticipation. Often, we keep worrying about an upcoming situation and completely ruin our present moment. It is the worst that you could do to yourself. 

If you are too shy or afraid to strike up a conversation with other people because you think you will have nothing to say, tell yourself that all it takes is a “Hello” in a polite tone to start the conversation. Once you succeed in initiating the conversation, it gets a whole lot easier.

Try to be as Realistic as Possible

You may think that it is your anxiety that controls you, but in reality, you are in charge of your anxiety. If you want you can change your own reality. Just keep reminding yourself that social anxiety feeds on thoughts that focus entirely on negativity and danger. 

Your hearts start beating fast and you begin to sweat from this kind of thinking. But, fortunately, it is a condition that can certainly be changed. All you have to do is think in a realistic way and then try to say something that sounds right.