Positive Thoughts For The Day

Social Anxiety is normal. We all experience some degree of social anxiety at various stages of our lives. This is important to take on board because if such feelings of shyness or social inadequacy are commonplace then it also follows that such things cannot be ‘cured’ but merely controlled.
To overcome this condition you need to concentrate on four methods:

1) Changing the way you think

Social Anxiety thrives on what one perceives other people think of us. It is imperative therefore that we recognise this fact and re-examine our patterns of thinking.
One way of doing this is to look for alternative ways of thinking. This can be achieved by using the kind of compassionate caring approach you would adopt if you were helping someone else. By concentrating on their needs first your perceived thoughts of yourself are suppressed in the background.

2) Face up to Social Difficulties

Avoiding social encounters does not protect you from social anxiety but rather it makes the problem worse. By facing up to these difficulties and recognising them is a major step in the right direction.
One of the most effective ways to do this is to identify what it is that you avoid and then identify why you think this situation causes fear and then face the fear. For example if your fear is meeting people because of what you imagine your image is in their mind than it might be a good idea to concentrate on a simple greeting when you first meet. Then try to start a conversation off by asking a question that means they have to respond positively about themselves leaving you to listen and relax a little.
Finally evaluate what happens. Did your fears come true or did a different outcome result. Be objective but honest with your answers and you will find that most of your fears were never realised.