4 Ways To Cure Social Anxiety

“To suffer some anxiety, some depression, some disappointment, even some failure is normal.” – Boyd K. Packer

As with beating common anxiety, there are tactics and coping mechanisms you can employ when you have trouble navigating social interactions and situations. Here are 4 methods you can apply to overcome social anxiety:

Get out there

Practice makes perfect and that’s true, even for something like social anxiety. The more you put yourself in situations that make you nervous, the easier it’ll be to get through them with time.

Practice makes perfect and that’s true, even for something like social anxiety. The more you put yourself in situations that make you nervous, the easier it’ll be to get through them with time.‍

Have a support system

The popular saying that “a problem shared is a problem halved,” is true when it comes to overcoming social anxiety. Knowing that you have people you can rely on to help you when you’re struggling goes a long way in giving you the confidence to face social situations.

When you start to feel overwhelmed, you can turn to them for help. This can be a friend, family member, or a professional equipped with the knowledge and skills to help you handle social anxiety.

Figure out your triggers

With social anxiety, you might realize that certain things bring on the feeling or make it worse. Identifying these social anxiety triggers and knowing when and why you feel anxious will guide you when it comes to finding solutions. 

For example, if your trigger is job interviews, you can look up tips to feel less nervous or coping mechanisms to get you through it. Helpful hint: Thorough preparation is key! 

Use relaxation techniques

Social anxiety often leads to physical reactions such as a pounding heart, lightheadedness, and an upset stomach. You can overcome the feeling by calming those physical reactions to it

Some techniques you can use include breathing exercises for anxiety, muscle relaxation exercises, and mental practices like finding your happy place to help you feel relaxed.

“Slow breathing is like an anchor in the midst of an emotional storm. The anchor won’t make the storm go away but it will hold you steady until it passes.” – Russ Harris.