1. Meeting new people

Meeting new people or making new friends can feel like a burden when one has social anxiety. One way to manage this is to take the pressure off yourself and go into the situation with lots of patience. Even if you end up feeling uncomfortable, remember it’s all temporary.

2. Being around strangers in public

The fear of being judged by people in public can prevent some from enjoying themselves to the fullest, if they are too distracted by what others might be thinking of them. Remember that most people are probably focusing on themselves and too self absorbed to be caring about what you’re doing!

3. Ordering food at a restaurant you’ve never been to

Some people might avoid ordering different things or trying out new places because their social anxiety convinces them that change is scary and being out of the comfort zone isn’t worth it. Keep in mind that the cashier or waiter is just another person, who is not going to be judging or caring about what you’re ordering, how you’re ordering, or what you look like. Just be polite!

4. Canceling plans last minute

Often, people with social anxiety might cancel plans at the last minute, not because they are rude or a bad friend, but because their anxiety has managed to scare and worry them to the point where not leaving the house feels like the best and safest option. This is a tough one to deal with because you don’t want to force yourself to do something or go out if you feel unsafe, but you also don’t want to keep avoiding new or anxiety inducing situations by constantly canceling either. In this case, try to be honest with whomever you are canceling on – let them know you are struggling (you don’t have to share everything) and more often than not the person will be much more understanding.

Tips on managing social anxiety

• Be honest with your healthcare professional; getting a proper diagnosis is the best first step to managing social anxiety
• Consider therapy and/or medication
• Engage in physical activity; exercise gets the heart pumping and the endorphins rushing, which certainly helps with our mental well-being
• Start small – don’t expect to make drastic changes overnight. Try saying hello to one new person, and go from there.
• Focus on the positive ‘what-ifs’. We have a tendency to think ‘what if….?’ and assuming the worst. Try flipping the script and thinking what if something positive happens? See how it changes your mindset gradually.

Have you experienced social anxiety? If so how did you manage it? Share in the comments below!