Social anxiety can make even the most basic social interactions feel like a daunting task. Whether it’s speaking in front of a group, attending a party, or meeting new people, social anxiety can create a range of physical and emotional symptoms, from sweating and shaking to feelings of panic and dread.
It is a condition affecting millions of people worldwide that can significantly impact an individual’s life, causing feelings of nervousness and embarrassment in social situations.
Fortunately, there are ways to beat social anxiety and overcome these kinds of challenges. Say hello to a more confident you with Ellen Hendriksen’s proven techniques for beating social anxiety. Ellen Hendriksen, a clinical psychologist, and author of “How to Be Yourself: Quiet Your Inner Critic and Rise Above Social Anxiety,” shares her insights on how to conquer social anxiety and become more confident in social situations.
Recognize Your Anxiety Triggers
Identifying the situations that trigger your anxiety is the first step in overcoming social anxiety. This could be anything from public speaking to attending social gatherings or meeting new people. Once you know what triggers your anxiety, you can work on managing those triggers.
Change your thinking
One of the most effective methods to beat social anxiety is to change the way you think about social situations. Instead of viewing them as a source of stress and anxiety, try to reframe the scenario as an opportunity to connect with others and have fun.
Hendriksen recommends using a technique called “cognitive restructuring” to challenge negative and unfavorable thoughts and replace them with more positive and realistic ones. For example, instead of thinking, “Everyone is going to judge me,” try thinking, “I can handle whatever comes my way, and most people are too focused on themselves to put up any attention to me.”
Focus on the present moment
Worrying about the future or obsessing over previous mistakes is a common cause of social anxiety. In order to deal with this, Hendriksen suggests focusing on the present moment and using mindfulness techniques to stay grounded.
Try taking deep breaths and focusing on your physical sensations, such as the feeling of your feet on the ground or the sensation of your breath moving in and out of your body. This does an excellent job in helping to calm the mind and decrease feelings of anxiety.
Practice exposure therapy
Exposure therapy is a common treatment for social anxiety that involves gradually exposing yourself to the social triggers that make you uncomfortable. This can help to desensitize you to these situations and build your confidence over time under strict medical supervision.
Hendriksen recommends starting with small, manageable exposures and slowly working your way up to more challenging situations. For example, you may begin by striking up small talk with a stranger at a coffee shop and then progress to attending a social event or giving a presentation at work.
Challenge your assumptions
Social anxiety is often fueled by negative presumptions about ourselves and others. For example, you might assume that people will think you’re boring or that you’ll say something embarrassing.
Hendriksen encourages challenging these assumptions by gathering evidence to support or refute them. For example, you might ask a friend for feedback on a conversation you had or look for instances of times when you successfully handled a social situation.
Build your social skills
And lastly, developing your social skills can be an effective way to get over social anxiety. This can be anything from signing up for a public speaking class, joining a social group or club, or simply honing your conversation skills with friends and family.
Hendriksen notes that building social skills is a gradual process and that it’s important to be patient with yourself or your loved one during the journey. It’s okay to make mistakes and have awkward moments – the more you practice, the more confident you’ll become.
NABHS At Rescue
With time and effort, you too can overcome social anxiety and enjoy social situations with greater ease.
We understand that it can get difficult to manage anxiety on our own.
NABHS provides a safe and confidential space to discuss your feelings and find a solution.
Call +1 (917) 267 8635 today to schedule an appointment with our top-notch team of experts and be guided to a brighter future.
