How to Overcome Social Anxiety – The Most Effective Steps

We all get anxious in certain social situations -- a business luncheon, a job interview, a first date, all of these can put butterflies in your stomach and cause your mind to have the jitters.

But for people with social anxiety disorder those jitters turn into all-out fear, anxiety and extreme self-consciousness. Simply going to the grocery store or out for dinner with friends becomes a scary situation in which you fear others are judging you or watching you, or that you may humiliate yourself.

Those with the disorder may go to great lengths to avoid social situations of all kinds, and in so doing miss out on many opportunities, and may even have a hard time getting through their daily routine.

Signs You May Have Social Anxiety Disorder

If you have social anxiety disorder chances are you suspect it already. But for those wondering if a friend or loved one is affected, here are some symptoms to watch out for, according to the Mayo Clinic:

• Intense fear of being in situations in which you don't know people
• Fear of situations in which you may be judged
• Worrying about embarrassing or humiliating yourself
• Fear that others will notice that you look anxious
• Anxiety that disrupts your daily routine, work, school or other activities
• Avoiding doing things or speaking to people out of fear of embarrassment
• Avoiding situations where you might be the center of attention

How to Overcome Social Anxiety

Any type of anxiety can interfere with your ability to thoroughly enjoy your life.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to overcome anxiety and get back in control of your life.

• Release your anxious feelings. At its heart, anxiety is just a feeling and that feeling can be released.

• Exercise. People who exercise are less likely to develop anxiety disorders, according to a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology. (Read Exercise with Anxiety)

• Focus on the present. Allow yourself to focus on what is actually here and now as opposed to focusing on the label ‘anxiety’ and the story ‘it is chronic.’ Once you are focused on the sensations, pictures and sounds that are actually here now, it is much easier to let go of the anxious feelings. (Get more mindfulness tips)