SOCIAL ANXIETY ... THE GREAT ESCAPE BY LEANING INTO OUR INSECURITIES AND LOVING OURSELVES
By Dr. Pascale Piron
As we reintegrate into society, anxiety related to social interactions has resurfaced for many. During the pandemic lockdown period, we got a break from having to be out, having to interact face-to-face, how to dress and speak to be included. Social anxiety is the experience of heightened anxiety in social situation where we are exposed to possible scrutiny by others, meeting new people, having to converse, being observed, and a fear of being negatively evaluated, humiliated, rejected, or offend other people.
Here are a few tips and strategies for managing social anxiety after lockdown:
Change your Thinking
Social anxiety can be traced back to feeling inadequate compared to others, feeling insecure in ourselves, and thinking in negative ways about ourselves and interactions that we experience. Recognizing our thinking patterns and practicing perspectives can help us lean into our insecurities rather than let them lead us, and prepare us for change.
Take it Easy
Everyone goes at their own pace, so it is useful to recognize what works for us. As there is a spike in going out and social pressure to live life to the fullest after a lockdown period, it can also be overwhelming to feel swooped up into a pace that does not work for us. Own your time and it is still okay to say maybe later to social outings. In her blog, Life after Lockdown, https://www.balanced-awakening.com/blog/2021/3/29/life-after-lockdown-post-pandemic-anxiety, Dr. Jill Vance offers tips on how to manage post pandemic anxiety.
You are not Alone
Remember that you are not the only person feeling anxious in social settings. Most societies in the world are built on a foundation of hierarchy so we inherited the importance of comparison and self-evaluation as a means for self-esteem. When meeting new people, remember that most are also curious about what you think of them.
Lean into Insecurities
When we learn to ask questions out of interest, we come prepared to interact socially. As our focus turns away from ourselves and we escape our self-evaluation, we can open our minds to learn about the people in the room, and our anxiety will decrease. Working with a therapist in psychotherapy to uncover your insecurities and how to turn these into assets for communication can be a valuable tool in managing social anxiety.
#emergepsychologygroup #social anxiety #illuminate #emergewell