People who struggle with social anxiety may become so uncomfortable in social situations to the point that they choose to either completely avoid them or do them with great reluctance.
Either way, social anxiety can have a profound impact on a person’s life.
In this blog post, I will be sharing my own experiences with social anxiety and the things I do daily to cope with it.
I hope that by sharing my story, I can help others who are struggling with this condition.
Understanding social anxiety
Based on my personal experience, social anxiety is being terrified of social situations and experiencing constant worry of getting negatively judged by others, even by people who don't even know you.
When you have social anxiety, it can disrupt your life, it might cause you to quit your job, lose friends, and mess up normal activities such as grocery shopping.
People usually misunderstand you and think you're either too arrogant for not wanting to hang out with them after work or too shy for not wanting to speak up during class.
Physical signs that you could experience due to having social anxiety can include:
-Sweating
-Racing heart
-Trembling
-Shortness of breath
-Nausea
-Dizziness
These signs can make social interactions uncomfortable and even painful for someone with social anxiety.
The Daily Struggles of Social Anxiety
Living with social anxiety can be very difficult. Simple tasks that most people easily accomplish, like answering phone calls, can be extremely anxiety-provoking.
Many people with social anxiety struggle with perfectionism. They might struggle to finish tasks because they need everything to be perfect. This can lead to chronic procrastination and a feeling of being overwhelmed.
People with social anxiety may also avoid social interactions altogether. This can lead to isolation and loneliness. It can also make it difficult to maintain relationships or to advance in one’s career.
Things that I do to cope with social anxiety
-Prioritizing self-care, such as eating healthy meals, exercising, and getting enough rest.
-Avoiding large crowds or situations that trigger my anxiety.
-Practising relaxation techniques like yoga and deep breathing.
-Journaling.
-Rewarding myself for small accomplishments to stay motivated.
-Working on building up my self-esteem with positive self-talk.
-Accepting my limitations and being patient with myself.
-Being mindful of my thoughts and challenging negative thinking patterns.
-Setting boundaries and learning to say no when I can't socialize.
-Taking breaks throughout the day to give myself time to decompress.
-Planning a daily routine that includes activities I enjoy, such as reading, writing, drawing, or listening to music.
If you suffer from social anxiety, you are not alone. But if it's overwhelming, you can talk to a therapist or counselor to help manage it in a healthy way.
Please support my blog by sharing it on social media and with your friends.
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| Photo by Ingo Joseph from Pexels |
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