- Helpful Topics
- Explaining Therapy To Child
- Coping With SAD
- How To Support My Anxiety
- Mindfulness and Mental Health
- Managing Social Anxiety
- Creativity & Mental Health
- Support For School Exam Stress
- Childhood OCD
- Feeling Included In The Family
- Back To School Anxiety
- Support child's mental health
- EMDR for Children & Adolescents
- …
- Helpful Topics
- Explaining Therapy To Child
- Coping With SAD
- How To Support My Anxiety
- Mindfulness and Mental Health
- Managing Social Anxiety
- Creativity & Mental Health
- Support For School Exam Stress
- Childhood OCD
- Feeling Included In The Family
- Back To School Anxiety
- Support child's mental health
- EMDR for Children & Adolescents
- Helpful Topics
- Explaining Therapy To Child
- Coping With SAD
- How To Support My Anxiety
- Mindfulness and Mental Health
- Managing Social Anxiety
- Creativity & Mental Health
- Support For School Exam Stress
- Childhood OCD
- Feeling Included In The Family
- Back To School Anxiety
- Support child's mental health
- EMDR for Children & Adolescents
- …
- Helpful Topics
- Explaining Therapy To Child
- Coping With SAD
- How To Support My Anxiety
- Mindfulness and Mental Health
- Managing Social Anxiety
- Creativity & Mental Health
- Support For School Exam Stress
- Childhood OCD
- Feeling Included In The Family
- Back To School Anxiety
- Support child's mental health
- EMDR for Children & Adolescents
Managing Social Anxiety
Dealing with social anxiety can be challenging, but there are several strategies and techniques you can try to help manage and overcome it. It's important to remember that progress may be gradual, so be patient and kind to yourself throughout the process. Here are some things that may help:
Seek Professional Help: Consider speaking to a mental health professional, such as a therapist or counsellor, who specialises in anxiety disorders. They can provide personalised guidance and support tailored to your specific situation and support you with some of the strategies that follow.
Practice Deep Breathing and Relaxation Techniques: Learn and practice deep breathing exercises or other relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or progressive muscle relaxation. These can help you reduce feelings of anxiety in social situations.
Challenge Negative Thoughts: Pay attention to the negative thoughts that fuel your anxiety and work on challenging them. Ask yourself if there's evidence to support these thoughts and if they are realistic.
Exposure Therapy: Gradually expose yourself to social situations that trigger your anxiety. Start with less challenging situations and work your way up to more anxiety-provoking ones. Repeated exposure can help desensitise your anxiety response.
Set Realistic Goals: Set small, achievable social goals for yourself and celebrate each success, no matter how minor. This positive reinforcement can build confidence and reduce anxiety over time.
Learn Social Skills: Improve your social skills through practice. Join social groups or classes where you can interact with others who share common interests.
Limit Alcohol and Caffeine: Both alcohol and caffeine can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. Reduce your intake of these substances, especially in social situations.
Focus on Others: Shift your attention away from your anxiety by focusing on others. Practice active listening and show genuine interest in what they have to say.
Use Visualisation: Visualise successful social interactions in your mind before encountering challenging situations. This technique can help build confidence and reduce anxiety.
Physical Exercise: Regular physical activity can help reduce overall anxiety levels and boost your mood.
Challenge Avoidance Behaviors: Avoidance can maintain and reinforce anxiety. Try to gradually face situations you tend to avoid, starting with less intimidating scenarios.
Join Support Groups: Consider joining support groups or online communities where you can connect with people who share similar experiences and struggles.
Remember, everyone's journey with social anxiety is unique. It's okay to take things at your own pace and seek professional help if needed. Be patient with yourself, and over time, with consistent effort and practice, you can make progress in managing your social anxiety.
At NorthStar Counselling & Therapy Centre we have a team of Professional, Qualified and Experienced Therapists to help support you through your social anxiety manangement. Check out our team here: https://www.northstartherapy.ie/about
Opening Hours
Monday 9am–8pm
Tuesday 9am–8pm
Wednesday 9am–8pm
Thursday 9am–8pm
Friday 9am–4pm
Northstar Counselling & Therapy Centre provides professional counselling, psychotherapy and play therapy to children, teens, adolescents and adults for all conditions including anxiety, depression, OCD, school avoidance, social anxiety, grief and loss. Serving Wexford, Waterford, Wicklow, Kilkenny, Carlow and the South East.
Information on this site is not meant to provide a medical diagnosis. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.
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