We all have to deal with social obligations at some point in our lives or stressful jobs that require us to engage with the public or our highly extroverted work collegues. Or even job interviews. Its always going to be stressful and difficult and possibly always will be but there are things you can do to help deal with it better. I made a few changes to my lifestyle and I believe most of it has helped me a lot.
-I started going to bed earlier and getting a longer nights sleep. Before I used to stay up till the early hours browsing the internet or watching films and wondered why I was always tired the next day. I found that If I got atleast 7 hours sleep I felt more alert and motivated and more ready to deal with things. I even felt happier, sometimes my life could be total crap one day and the next morning nothings changed but I felt happier for no reason other than id got a good nights sleep. If I know I have a big social event coming up I always try and get an early night now.
-I started working out and exercising (mainly swimming) It made me feel great afterwards. Doctors often say its a good method to fighting depression and it works for me. I feel happier and even euphoric after exercising and I feel it gives me more confidence and makes my mind sharper as it fights away my stress and gives me one less thing to think about. Its also helped me feel better about myself that I had done something productive and achieved something. When your physically fit you feel less lethargic generally and have more motivation to move your life forward and more self confidence. If I have a social event coming up I often go for a swim an hour before as it makes me motivated to go in the first place and helps me be more confident when Im there and makes my mind sharper to deal with people.
-I started eating more healthy, Its easy when your feeling down to comfort eat and sit on your arse doing nothing but I found when I did that in the past I would be tired and lethargic and have no motivation so I would often cancel plans at the last minute because I couldn't be bothered.
Eating healthy isn't as enjoyable as eating the bad stuff admittedly but if you stick with it you eventually start feeling happier and good about yourself. ive cut back on alcohol aswell and feel better for it, I still use it at social events and parties but I rarely drink at home now and feel much better its become a bit less of a crutch now than what it used to.
-Another thing I changed about me was becoming more organised and cleanly. I used to live in a messy and untidy flat and had no motivation or organisation in my life. I find now that if I tidy my house before a social event or regularly I feel happier as I feel I have done something productive. It has also helped me take my mind off the impending social event.
-sometimes if I go out for a walk and get some fresh air just before this helps also with my mood and motivation or I'll light some sented candles which activate and sharpen your senses and can make you feel better.
Obviously these aren't cures to social anxiety but could help give you the drive to beat this thing or make things easier to deal with.
Sometimes it good to build yourself up to improve your life and change little things rather than always trying to jump in at the deep end.
I have never tried yoga but I would be interested to know if it has any benefits from people who have tried it? Or any other things people do generally or just before an event to help them cope?
-I started going to bed earlier and getting a longer nights sleep. Before I used to stay up till the early hours browsing the internet or watching films and wondered why I was always tired the next day. I found that If I got atleast 7 hours sleep I felt more alert and motivated and more ready to deal with things. I even felt happier, sometimes my life could be total crap one day and the next morning nothings changed but I felt happier for no reason other than id got a good nights sleep. If I know I have a big social event coming up I always try and get an early night now.
-I started working out and exercising (mainly swimming) It made me feel great afterwards. Doctors often say its a good method to fighting depression and it works for me. I feel happier and even euphoric after exercising and I feel it gives me more confidence and makes my mind sharper as it fights away my stress and gives me one less thing to think about. Its also helped me feel better about myself that I had done something productive and achieved something. When your physically fit you feel less lethargic generally and have more motivation to move your life forward and more self confidence. If I have a social event coming up I often go for a swim an hour before as it makes me motivated to go in the first place and helps me be more confident when Im there and makes my mind sharper to deal with people.
-I started eating more healthy, Its easy when your feeling down to comfort eat and sit on your arse doing nothing but I found when I did that in the past I would be tired and lethargic and have no motivation so I would often cancel plans at the last minute because I couldn't be bothered.
Eating healthy isn't as enjoyable as eating the bad stuff admittedly but if you stick with it you eventually start feeling happier and good about yourself. ive cut back on alcohol aswell and feel better for it, I still use it at social events and parties but I rarely drink at home now and feel much better its become a bit less of a crutch now than what it used to.
-Another thing I changed about me was becoming more organised and cleanly. I used to live in a messy and untidy flat and had no motivation or organisation in my life. I find now that if I tidy my house before a social event or regularly I feel happier as I feel I have done something productive. It has also helped me take my mind off the impending social event.
-sometimes if I go out for a walk and get some fresh air just before this helps also with my mood and motivation or I'll light some sented candles which activate and sharpen your senses and can make you feel better.
Obviously these aren't cures to social anxiety but could help give you the drive to beat this thing or make things easier to deal with.
Sometimes it good to build yourself up to improve your life and change little things rather than always trying to jump in at the deep end.
I have never tried yoga but I would be interested to know if it has any benefits from people who have tried it? Or any other things people do generally or just before an event to help them cope?
sometimes I sing the "abc's" loudly in the car to get my voice working lol would be a bit embarrassing if someone caught me but it helps