Dealing with Social Anxiety and Depression
Most people are all taught from childhood to be unique. We are taught not to copy other people in our behaviour, emotions and thoughts. We are taught to be ourselves and carry our uniqueness even at times of different life situations when it would be better to cheat or lie.
What does it give us? You probably say such people grow up true friends, faithful companions in life and fair bosses. It is completely true. However, many of us underestimate the power of crowd influence.
Crowds, which can make us stronger and tougher or, vice versa, kill our uniqueness and internal highlight in the bud. For some people, a big crowd can also be a source of stress and anxiety.
Social anxiety (or social phobia) isn’t just about being anxious or feel uncomfortable around strangers; it’s a physical and mental battle. Here are the top five tips to help you cope with social anxiety at the moment.
Control Your Breathing
When you become anxious, there are many changes in your body, resulting in additional physical symptoms of anxiety such as dizziness, increased heart rate, a feeling of suffocation and muscle tension.
Learning to take some time to slow down your breath can help you regain control of your body. Simply make yourself comfortable, take a deep breath filling your stomach with air and hold it for four seconds. Then exhale slowly through your mouth, pushing out as much air as possible and continue until your breath slows down to its normal rate.
Try Out Benefits Of CBD Oil
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural solution that is able to provide various health benefits due to interaction with your endocannabinoid system (ECS). Intake of CBD oil for anxiety can help to reduce stress levels, improve mood and calm you down, among other useful benefits.
While the high from THC can make some anxious, like CBD it’s been proven to help many with social anxiety and depression. However, the big question for people trying it the first time is: “how long does THC stay in your system?” Knowing this in advance can give you peace of mind and an idea of what to expect.
Distract Yourself
Stress and anxiety draw your attention inward. You notice that your heart is racing and worry that your hands are shaking and you are sweating – this is certain to increase your worry.
Instead, try to shift your attention to what is going on around you, rather than what’s in your head. Consider focusing on neutral factors such as the colour and texture of the carpet, pouring wine at a party or key points in the presentation. Such a shift in concentration will interrupt the anxiety cycle and let you deal with current activities.
Also, you can try to listen carefully to the conversation going on or remind yourself that other people probably can’t understand how worried you are just by looking at you.
Use Your Senses
Sight, smell, sound, touch and taste – all your senses can help you calm down the moment you feel anxious. Some people may find it helpful to smell a certain scent or look at a photo that brings back good memories.
So, the next time you start to worry about a social situation, try chewing a flavorful piece of gum, listening to a calming playlist or just some of your favourite tracks or even snuggling with a pet.
Consider Getting Help
In some cases, social anxiety might even interfere with your career or relationships or make it difficult to go to social events you want to attend.
If you find that social anxiety is actually negatively affecting your life, consider getting help with a fact-based solution like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) intended to improve your mental health and wellness.
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