Do you excessively worry about having to face everyday social activities? Does all of this worry and dread keep you from functioning well? Approximately 19 million Americans are living with anxiety disorders.
I bet that's more than you thought.
Most people suffering from these disorders feel they are all alone in their fears.
I'm living with Social Anxiety, but I try to live with it productively; to the best of my ability.
I want to share my Top 5 Tips that help me face my everyday encounters.
Try them out; see if they work for you too.
Appearance - do your hair, put on a little makeup and find something nice to wear.
Please forgo the sweatpants and anything with a stain! No matter what your plans are for the day, take some time for your appearance.
Never leave home looking like you just rolled out of bed.
I notice a huge improvement in what little confidence I have when I take care in how I look before I walk out the door.
Health - there is nothing more important than your health.
Proper eating and plenty of exercise can actually boost confidence as well as energy for the day.
Get up in the morning, before your children normally do, and get your daily exercise done, even if it's just a half hour.
Eat a nutritious breakfast, jump in the shower and tackle your day.
Accomplishment - finish a project, cross things off your "to do" list or get the house clean.
This sense of accomplishment does wonders for me.
Once you complete a task, especially if it was something you've been dreading, a weight will be lifted.
I bet it makes you feel so good you'll move right on to the next chore.
This tip may seem out of place, but it gives me a boost that I can't explain.
Bring Someone - bring a friend, your spouse or your children.
Bring someone who helps you feel good about yourself.
Honestly, I like to bring at least one of my daughters with me.
They help distract me from all of those uneasy feelings that swarm around me while I'm out.
I'm forced to take my own attention off of myself and onto them.
Fake It - this tip gets easier with practice and when the above are already in play.
Most social encounters are short, like when running errands.
The longer the encounter, the harder this tip will be.
"Pretend" you don't have social issues.
Tell yourself you are confident and beautiful and hold your head up.
No one needs to know anything more than that.
I'm happier faking it and leaving on a good note rather than feeling like I just made a fool out of myself again.
I'm not saying I turn into a social butterfly who just can't wait to get out there and meet the world.
These tips just help me to do what I have to do everyday.
They make social situations and even simple errands easier and less stressful for me.