It’s not easy to live with Social Anxiety disorder but there are simple steps you can take to make life easier. Changing the way you feel and act is easier said than done but little by little you can gain more control. Adjustments in the way you react to situations can be made gradually.
Start by replacing negative thoughts with positive ones in social situations. Avoid talking to yourself in a negative manner. Using the power of visualizations, practice being a pillar of confidence everyday. Gradually these positive behaviors will begin to emerge with enough practice.
For most sufferers of social anxiety disorder, simply thinking about certain experiences is enough to cause symptoms. This is because the nervous system cannot tell the difference between a vividly imagined experience and a real one. This can be used with positive effect. Every time you have to face your fear, in advance get yourself in a positive state by imagining things going really well.
Every person has experienced an embarrassing moment that they’d rather forget. Try and avoid replaying negative experiences in you mind. Usually when we replay the bad experiences we make them bigger than they really are. Don’t be too hard on yourself, everybody makes mistakes.
If something is bothering you and you can’t seem to let go, try using a distraction; go for a run, exercise, watch a movie or take a bath. You can also try and replay situations in a positive way and change the memory in your mind. Add bright colors, make things silly and funny, and see yourself redoing everything with confidence.
Make little changes to the way you act such as your posture or increasing the loudness of your voice. Think of a person that is self-assured and confident and try to be like them. How do they stand, talk and move? What makes them appear confident? Practice these new behaviors everyday and gradually introduce them into your social life.
Stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine should be avoided as they will only worsen social anxiety symptoms. Herbal drinks such as chamomile are non-caffeinated and relaxing. Give yourself time to relax when you get home; watch comedies, take a bath or listen to some soothing music.
Following these simple steps can help you overcome social anxiety. Be patient as changes to behavior can take time. Furthermore, advanced techniques can be used to quickly relieve symptoms. Get more answers at my blog on social anxiety.
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