How do I overcome social anxiety?

[Anonymous]

I'd rather not have to embarrass myself too much to overcome it too. what happens is my heart starts racing for up to two minutes for no good reason and my mind freezes. by that time I've already looked stupid shy and whatever else in front of everybody

[yuju7]

I struggle with it too, although much less than before. I used not to be able to go out of the house for too long or else I'd get pins and needles all over my body. Life is much better now, so you can definitely improve.

Anyway, here are a few things that helped me, maybe you're already doing some of them

[yuju7]

Looks like my reply got cut off, is that new or was that a bug? I remember being able to leave much longer replies a few years ago.

Oh well, I'll type it out again and hopefully it won't get cut.

So, what helped was:

- journaling, a safe way to acknowledge your worries free from judgment and put your thoughts in order;

- breathing exercises, I sometimes do them while watching uncomfortable stuff (cringe, awkward scenes from movies or show, anything that'll give me secondhand embarrassment), which might sound silly but I think it's a great and very safe way to learn to be comfortable when faced with unsettling situations and manage your emotional response to them;

- exercising, a healthy body leads to a healthier mind and all that.

The goal is to help you live in the moment as opposed to in your head by giving you something to focus on. Don't be afraid to start small, you don't have to do or start with all three, but even five minutes a day of consistent effort put in any of these will build up to something greater. You've got nothing to prove and there's no reward or pride in going too fast, so try not to stress it so you don't burn yourself out. The longest road is the shortest as they say.

Hope this helps, my best wishes to you.

[Mon1to]

I can totally relate. I struggle with severe social anxiety nonstop, even around family. One way to start getting better is by seeing a therapist—they can really help. But if you're shy and awkward around others, you can start online. For example, I was super anxious about asking my first question here, but I did it. Small steps like that can help you overcome it.

[Mon1to]

And now some irl tips:
~try to make eye contact (ik it's hard, but you can do it)
~start with familiar places
~take a safe item with you (a book, headphones etc)
~plan your route

[Madgedays]

Practice it more, go out and meet people

[Asker]

even thats hard to do. i honestly think it started from growing up in church. I noticed people were extremely fake and I felt like I had to mirror that energy. instead i just developed a hate for them all which stunted my emotional growth

[Madgedays]

Take it slow, but you must get out of your comfort zone

[Asker]

my problem is I being people out of their comfort zone and I'm not confident enough to express myself

[Asker]

maybe because my dad would tell me to STFU all the time at dinner or when he was talking to my mom

[Madgedays]

Don't you have a friend or someone that could take you out

[Asker]

no not really

[In_Trance]

Develop your social skills

[Anonymous]

I wonder the same :/

[jahaims]

Exposure therapy

[Asker]

give me some ways to do that

[Gayuglycowardv3]

Dont go out