Making A Start – Social Anxiety
By: Mariam Sabah
Tags: Anxiety, Social Anxiety Disorder, Mental Health Awareness, Social Anxiety, Mental Health

Social anxiety is not easy to deal with and seems to come back over and over again. People experience it uniquely. You may feel as if you are about to vomit when around a large number of people. When you speak normally in front of those you are comfortable with and with those you’re unfamiliar with, you find it hard to articulate your words.

Some people feel like they are a timer and have a limited amount of social span after which they are unable to laugh and smile. They feel nauseous after a specific time and wish to leave as soon as possible.

Others may feel so conscious of themselves and their surroundings that they feel that everyone is staring at them while they are walking past cars for example. They aren’t. It is also unlikely that they all know you. I used to think this until my dad told me to look at the people inside the cars and see that they aren’t looking at you for yourself.

Right now, in a pandemic, people’s mental health are greatly affected and wearing masks can cause greater anxiety as you are unable to see the emotions or facial expressions of others. You are also restricted in expressing yourself too. However, it can also act as a comfort barrier when in front of others.

As necessary as masks are, I wonder what type of effect taking the masks off after we are virus-free will have on people who have social anxiety.

I find eating full, hearty meals three times a day and not skipping breakfast is a good start to overcoming social anxiety as you will at least have some energy to start your day and think clearly. Living off snacks and desserts will likely make you more tired.

Getting the correct amount of sleep for your age is another crucial step for the same reason.

Going outside more and forcing yourself out of bed is something you need to do. However, do not force yourself to go out of your comfort zone or put yourself in situations where there are a large amount of people suddenly as this is likely to cause you distress more than anything. Instead if you want to improve your anxiety, know that it is a slow process of inner healing. Take it in steps. Start with something small like forcing yourself to smile at people when you approach them – it will get easier the more you do it. Don’t worry.

Also, introverted people are more likely to get social anxiety than extroverts. Don’t force yourself to become an extrovert if you’re not. Learn to be comfortable by yourself and find hobbies like sport or reading that you enjoy. You need to practice self-care more than anyone.

Building a support group of people you feel comfortable with is also something you should aim to do such as your parents, your friends, etc. Those you can call and text to make you feel calmer in stressful situations.

Taking time out of your day to reflect is something everyone should implement. Consider contemplating about the world and why you are where you are. Think about God and religions. Research and gain more knowledge. That way you can understand that this life is short and find a goal to work towards.

“It’s not that deep” is a quote I constantly say in my head when I’m starting to overthink. By saying it, it makes it easier to take the first step. It’s your life and you don’t have to worry about what others think. Maybe this is a message for me who is still struggling with social anxiety but I hope this helps whoever comes across this too.