Social anxiety is a common issue. It is prevalent among both males and females, regardless of age. Although a little social anxiety isn’t harmful, it can become problematic if the issue persists.
Persistent social anxiety indicates a more serious problem, a social anxiety disorder. People generally confuse social anxiety with shyness when in reality, it’s a lot more than that.
Symptoms like dizziness or lightheadedness, nausea, upset stomach, sweating, trembling, palpitations, and feel that your mind has gone blank when in social situations indicate the presence of social anxiety.
It’s a mental health issue and it must be treated right away. I don’t usually recommend antidepressants or anti-anxiety medicines for such issues, so here I have a list of natural ways to combat social anxiety. Have a look:
Exercise
First and foremost, you need to make a few lifestyle changes if you wish to curb social anxiety naturally. Increased physical activity can help relieve anxiety and lower stress levels in your body. You don’t need to follow a particular exercise routine or pattern for this.
A few minutes of a morning walk or deep breathing exercise can significantly lower your anxiety levels. It can also get you in good shape, which can further boost your confidence. The higher the confidence, the lower the social anxiety.
Meditation
Meditation is a popular practice used to achieve an emotionally clear and mentally calm and stable state. Meditation techniques like mindfulness or focusing the mind on a particular activity, thought, or object help in alleviating anxiety and stress.
The best part being, you don’t have to join a meditation class in order to relieve stress and anxiety. There are several YouTube tutorials available on the internet. You can simply watch one and replicate it.
Simply take out a few minutes before attending a social event or gathering and meditate for a few minutes, preferably five to ten minutes. Trust me; it’s going to make a massive difference in how you feel and react.
Herbs and Plants
Needless to say, allopathic medicines have a number of side effects. Their long-term use can eventually damage your liver and digestive system. Therefore, experts recommend switching to all-natural herbs and plants.
Chamomile, lemon balm, dried shrooms, ashwagandha, saffron, lavender, and CBD products are all extremely effective in treating social anxiety and everyday life stress. You can massage your temples with CBD oil or have a cup of warm chamomile tea before a social event or gathering. I can bet you’ll see a prominent difference in a week or so.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy, also known as essential oil therapy, is another effective treatment for social anxiety. It’s a holistic healing method in which natural plant extracts are used in order to promote physical and mental healing.
If you’re suffering from persistent social anxiety, I suggest you start taking aromatherapy once a week. It does not only enhance physical health but mental wellbeing as well.
There are numerous essential oils available in the markets. Although all essential oils usually work fine, they affect different people differently. Thereby, you may have to try a few options before sticking to one.
Channel Your Fears
Social anxiety is also known as people phobia. It revolves around the fear of facing people, and it’s especially hard when meeting new people. In order to combat the issue naturally, you need to expose yourself to similar situations.
Please ensure the process of exposing is gradual. Start dining out with family and friends. Once you’re comfortable with that, visit a mall and ask for directions from a stranger. It may feel uncomfortable in the beginning, but you’ll eventually get used to it. The more you’ll interact with people, the quicker you’ll get rid of social anxiety.
Journal Writing
As I briefly mentioned above, social anxiety is a result of certain fears and worries, including fear of meeting new people, fear of judgment, and more. One of the best ways to relieve stress and anxiety is by writing it down.
That’s right, guys. Write how you feel, your thoughts, fears, and worries. Writing a journal will help take the unnecessary pressure off your shoulders, leaving you feeling light and confident. Oh, and your journal is not going to judge you for anything, so there’s nothing to worry about. Feel free to share everything!
Cut Down Stimulants
The use of stimulants has become quite common these days, and guess what? Caffeine happens to be the most widely used stimulant. Be it tea or coffee, caffeinated beverages can negatively contribute to your anxiety levels.
Although the threshold for caffeine tolerance varies from person to person, it is something that needs to be avoided altogether. If you’re a coffee or tea addict, I’m sure it won’t be easy for you to leave it. What you can do is cut the amount to half. Yes, please make sure not to consume more than 1-2 cups of coffee or tea per day.
Appropriate Sleep
Lastly, you must never compromise your sleep. People tend to cut their sleeping hours for little things in life. While it may seem convenient, it can drastically increase your anxiety levels.
A lot of people remain stressed and anxious throughout the day only because of a lack of sleep. Therefore, sleep deprivation must be avoided, especially if you have a social gathering to tend to.
As mentioned by the Sleep Foundation, you need to sleep for 7-8 hours every day to function healthily. If you sleep more or less than the given duration, it’s about time you switch to a healthy sleep pattern.
The Takeaway
Winding it up, I want you to know that social anxiety isn’t something incurable. If you feel socially awkward or anxious, please know that you’re not alone. Social anxiety disorder affects millions of people from around the world annually and they recover with the right treatment and immediate course of action.
Follow the tips and tricks mentioned above and keep social anxiety at bay.
