Social anxiety disorder can be defined as an excessive fear of social or performance situations that are not dangerous but cause significant distress.
It causes extreme stress, leading to withdrawal from social activities, avoidance of embarrassment by avoiding people and conversations, or general avoidance of all public situations. Many people with social anxiety disorder experience symptoms on a daily basis — even if they don't realize what they're doing at the time.
Here are some of the tips to manage and beat your social anxiety:
1) Focus on your breathing
It's easy to get caught up in the cycle of negative self-talk, but try to focus on your breathing. When you feel anxious, take a deep breath and count to four before exhaling slowly. Notice how your body feels when you do this, and keep doing it whenever you notice yourself starting to get anxious. This simple exercise can help you relax when you feel like your mind is spiraling out of control.
2) Replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations
You can replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations that are more productive to help you feel better about yourself. For example, if you think "I'm so stupid! I'm such an idiot!" replace it with something like "I am a smart person who knows how to learn new things and improve my life."
3) Start small and slowly
The first step is to start small. The best way to approach social anxiety is by starting slow, building up your confidence a little at a time. This helps you to overcome your fears and build the confidence you need to make it through the day without any major problems.
4) Adopt a healthy lifestyle
When it comes to dealing with social anxiety, a healthy lifestyle is the key. If you don't have any exercise or healthy eating habits, then you can expect that you will have some problems with social situations. Even if you aren't overweight or underweight, keeping yourself healthy will help you feel better about yourself and your body image.
5) Focus on your goals
When dealing with social anxiety it is important to focus on your goals instead of worrying about what others think about you. It's important that you take action towards achieving your goals because otherwise it will be very difficult for you to overcome this type of condition.
6) Talk to people
This is the best way to get over social anxiety. You may think that you can't talk to people because of your shyness, but this is not true. If you want to start talking with people and make new friends, then try talking to them in a one-on-one or small group setting.
7) Seek psychological counseling
Your psychologist will help you learn how to cope with social anxiety so that you can live a normal life again. They will also teach you coping skills so that you can face the world without feeling overwhelmed by anxiety symptoms such as sweating, trembling, blushing and panicking.
8) Join support groups
Support groups are a great way to learn about social anxiety and meet others who share your experience. There are many different types of support groups available, including online ones, as well as ones that are conducted in person. If you can't find any local health anxiety support group, there is always the option of joining anxiety disorder support groups online.
Final words
The best way to prevent social anxiety is to understand that it is a condition that is not within your control. Next, you must identify triggers and prepare yourself for them. There are ways to lower discomfort in social situations, such as relaxation techniques and self-talk. You will only be able to cope with social anxiety with the help of professionals and previous experience.