“Have I been misjudging people and their responses to me all these years? Are my thoughts wrong?”
I realized that fear and anxiety were confronting me. Even though I understood my reaction, reality struck hard each time I faced a situation. It was my perception of what was happening that made me respond in the way I did. It is the way I viewed the situation, combined with my instant social anxiety "fear response.”
Each person has his or her own "triggers." This happens when we are put on the spot. When others say something we perceive as being embarrassing or humiliating. If only I knew that it wasn't that big a deal, then I could have overcome social anxiety for good, long time back.
Keep social anxiety at bay with these 5 steps:
1. Acceptance:
Anxiety is a normal emotion. No matter how much we want to get rid of it, we all feel anxious from time to time. Accepting anxiety can be just like accepting other emotions like when we feel angry, sad or happy. Just like these emotions, anxiety will also pass. However, if anxiety is long-term and affecting our day-to-day life, we shouldn't accept it. Instead, seek support.
“Just embrace the thoughts. If you fight with them you are giving life to them, but if you just hug them, they will disappear. Remember your mind is like fire.”
- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
2. Talk to a professional:
Do some research online for therapists or counselors that specialize in anxiety disorders. For school and college students, most institutions offer free counseling sessions.
3. Write about it:
If you can communicate your feelings through writing, then you’re one step closer to figuring out how to manage them as well. You can start a blog or a conversation on social media. Put your ideas out there and try to find how others are dealing with it or have come out of it.
4. Learn meditation and yoga:
Meditation is a blessing for those with anxiety, panic attacks, and restlessness. Yoga Nidra allows us to reach the most profound level of relaxation. Practicing it leads to a conscious recognition of psychological factors and helps to overcome it. As a meditation practice, yoga nidra can induce a profound sense of inner bliss and well-being.
5. Keep anxiety away by doing Yoga asanas:
These yoga postures can help achieve a happy and healthy mind and body. Asanas help release tension and negativity from the system.
- Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)
- Marjariasana (Cat Stretch)
- Shavasana (Corpse Pose)
- Setubandhasana (Bridge Pose)
It’s also good to know all these above tips alone should not be considered as the only treatment option. It should complement proper medication after consultation with a doctor or specialist.
Note: Allopathic medicines may have side effects; you may consider alternate lines of treatment such as Homoeopathy and Ayurveda.
Based on inputs by Amol Wagle, Faculty, The Art of Living
