How to Overcome Social Anxiety Fast!

How do you overcome social anxiety fast? That’s like a rhetorical question! Is there a fast way?

Consequently, yesterday, I went to Walmart to pick up meds. I was fine going there, but as I walked into the store, the anxiety showed up. I couldn’t breath and just wanted to run out.

But, I needed my meds. With having Parkinson’s, I’m very jumpy anyway. So, I focused on the aisle I had to walk down to the pharmacy.

I pretended like nobody else was in the aisle looking at me. Finally, I got to the counter and luckily I got the tech who already knows about my symptoms.

She put me somewhat at ease because she could see I was having problems. Therefore, it does pay to tell someone you see on somewhat of a regular business about your difficulties.

I’ve got some ideas that will help you combat social anxiety by practicing these ideas over and over again.

Overall, they’re a little bit different than normal stragedies or ideas I have shared in the past posts. First, I’ll give you some of the insecurities and symptoms of social anxiety.

Alright…so here goes.

Insecurities From Social Anxiety

How to overcome social anxiety fast so you can live your life! Basically, social Anxiety is generated by the insecurities we have about a feature of ourselves that we hate.

Examples of insecurities:

Bodyweight

Oftentimes people have huge insecurities about how their bodies look like. All things considered, maybe you are too skinny or too higher-weight person, or you just have some extra weight to gain/lose.

Accordingly, society is all about how much weight your at which in turn makes yourself feel super self conscientious.

Look at Kelly Clarkson for example. They told her she HAD to loose weight or else.

Body image

Maybe you have a scar from when you fell as a little kid, or a birthmark that you feel is disturbing to watch.

Additionally, you have to have the rights curves to be able to be in the public eye. No wonder so many people have anxiety trying to be perfect.

Face

Maybe you have a big nose or big ears that you hate, or you are starting to get bald. Above all, even if you have a pimple on your face, you freak out. You’re supposed to have flawless skin.

Your teeth have to be perfectly aligned and sparkling white. Altogether, no wonder celebrities spend so much money on facelifts and then they come out looking like a freak of not-so-called nature.

Self-doubt

At length, the feeling that you aren’t good enough, that you aren’t worthy enough, or that you are too weird to hang with these people, etc.

I used to have a lot of self doubt growing up because I was bullied in school. At this point, I never trusted my own opinion. Therefore, I always thought I was wrong on everything.

Not until a few years ago, did I stop giving a shit what other people thought of me and started to believe in ‘me.’ I matter!

Jealousy

In a relationship, in friendships, or you get jealous about a person you saw on Instagram.

I was always especially jealous of extroverts. They could talk to anyone and not get anxious. Why couldn’t I do that? Because I never allowed myself to do so until a few years ago.

These are just some of the most common insecurities people have and might be the source of social anxiety. If any as shown above is applicable to you, then you’ll be familiar with most of the symptoms.

What are the symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder?

How to overcome social anxiety fast! The symptoms of Social Anxiety can be divided into 3 categories.

Physical Symptoms

Firstly, blushing too easily.
Feeling uncomfortable around people.
Additionally, heart pumping too fast.
Shaking or trembling.
Sweating too much.
Lastly, difficulty in talking, messing many words.

Psychological Symptoms

Firstly, low confidence and self-esteem.
Negative and self-sabotaging thoughts.
In addition, feeling of not being worthy enough.
Feeling of being judged no matter what.
Worrying too much about upcoming social events.
Lastly, feeling mentally exhausted after social encounters.

Behavioral Symptoms

Firstly, planning ahead what you’ll do or say in social situations.
Avoiding social situations.
Being silent, in fear of being judged.
Fourthly, using drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism.
Canceling plans at the last minute.
Lastly, not letting yourself ‘open up’ to people.

Identify the problem

How to overcome social anxiety fast is to identify it first. Identify when your Social Anxiety occurs. Especially, when talking to someone you like? When you have to make a presentation in front of a big group of people? While you are at a party? At a family table? In your own group of friends?

Identifying it is the first big step to overcoming it.

Take Care of Yourself

How to overcome social anxiety fast, improve your physical health.

Working out is associated with:

Better sleep.

Better resilience.

When you face difficult challenges in your life, exercise can help you build resilience and cope in a healthy fashion.

More energy

When you start and get your blood flowing, you’ll feel more motivated to do certain things.

Therefore, exercising is a treatment for mild to moderate depression.

You take the benefits of an anti-depressant medication- without the side effects. Working out is a natural anti-anxiety treatment.

When you are working out, your body releases endorphins that make you feel happy.

Here are some other things you can do, that I find can help to manage social anxiety:

Recite Positive affirmations

Basically, affirmations are positive statements that can help you to challenge and overcome self-sabotaging and negative thoughts.

The logic behind this is that you stop the constant negative talk that your brain does, and change it with something positive instead. Therefore, you essentially focus on the good things and discard the bad.

Meditate

How to overcome social anxiety fast! By the same token, meditation was one of the most important actions that I took to overcome my Social Anxiety.

Meditating even 5-10 minutes a day has many benefits to our minds such as:

Stress reduction

Firstly, anxiety reduction: Less stress equals less anxiety.
Enhances Self-Awareness
Enhances Self-Esteem
Fourthly, better focus: The mind doesn’t drift away as much.
Lengthens attention span
Sense of peacefulness and calmness throughout the day.
Lastly, read Self-Development books.

Reading a self-development book alongside meditation can really change the way you feel about yourself and the people around you.

No one is perfect

Forthwith, this is one lesson that I really needed to learn…and finally did. I stopped trying to be the perfect friend, girlfriend, daughter, and so-on.

Due to this, my life is so much better now that I’ve gotten away from perfectionism. I make mistakes-but it’s ok. I learn from them and hopefully don’t make it again.

If I do, oh well. Be that as it may, that just means I have more practice at it. I’ve found that I’m much happier then ever because I realized I was imperfect. I’m normal!

So, quit trying to be something that doesn’t exist.

Don’t compare yourself to others

How to overcome social anxiety fast! You are unique! There is no one else like you! So, stop trying to be someone that you’re not. Be your unique self. You’ll attract more people that way.

Solution: Unfollow everyone on Social Media that doesn’t make you feel good or happy.

Hence, the only person you should compare yourself with is YOU.

You should compare with your older versions. Consciously ask yourself: “What can I do to be better than before?”

Indeed, every second that passes by comparing yourself to others, is a wasted second that you could use to better your situation, so change your mindset.

Make a list

About the best features you have and love about yourself. This can be either external or internal characteristics e.g. your smile, body, kindness, good sense of humor… You get the point.

Whenever you feel bad about yourself, you can go back to this list and remember all the things that make you special.

About the things that you’ve dealt with in the past better than you expected. Therefore, give yourself some credit for the days you made it when you thought you couldn’t.

Have a success buddy

How to overcome social anxiety fast! Furthermore, have a person that you can trust and rely on whilst being on this journey of overcoming social anxiety. Talking about how you feel is one of the best ways to deal with anxiety.

Generally, talk to them about your day, about the things that you’ve accomplished, and the things that bothered you. Having company is a crucial factor for your success.

Ask for professional help

Even though you feel that everything that you’ve tried, hasn’t been effective, you should probably get some piece of advice from a professional.

Either way, I’m not a professional, I’m just sharing my personal experiences. Asking for professional help doesn’t make you any less of a person.

By all means, I’ve found that it builds my self confidence in being able to express my feelings to someone without being judged.

Sum It All Up

How to overcome social anxiety fast! Social anxiety is no joke. In fact, trying to overcome it doesn’t show weakness, it shows strength and courage that you are actively trying to be a better version of yourself!

Today, I still practice all my ways of dealing with social anxiety. I practiced them yesterday going to pick up my meds.

It’s a constant ‘game’ of keeping your anxiety in check. So, I don’t know if you can completely get rid of social anxiety. At least I haven’t been able to.

Nonetheless, I have all these ‘tools in my belt’ just for specific times when the anxiety starts in. And letting various people in on your condition helps, like with the tech.

I hope this has helped you in certain ways so that you are better able to deal with the social anxiety. Until next time…

Articles About Social Anxiety

-Social anxiety (social phobia)

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/social-anxiety/#:~:text=always%20worry%20about%20doing%20something,or%20have%20low%20self%2Desteem

-Social anxiety disorder (social phobia)

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/social-anxiety-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353567

-Ready to Overcome Social Anxiety? These 9 Tips Can Help

https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/how-to-get-over-social-anxiety#get-extra-support

Have a Good One,

Cindee Murphy, One Voice In The Vastness Of Emotions

“I’ve spent most of my life and most of my friendships holding my breath and hoping that when people get close enough they won’t leave, and fearing that it’s a matter of time before they figure me out and go.”-Shauna Niequist, American Author & Blogger

“You are not weak. People like us, we’re brave. We’re the ones who get up and face our worst fears every day. We keep fighting.”-Jen Wilde, Author

“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

“One way to handle social anxiety is to pretend you are a ghost and people are staring at you because they have a gift they never asked for.”-Aparna Nancherla