5 Ways to Soothe Social Anxiety During the Holidays
For most, receiving a holiday party invitation is joyous. Being part of a group, feeling like one of the crowd, and meeting new people can be fun. For some, however, these invitations can be the cause of significant anxiety and stress, leading to worry, depression and further social isolation.
Social anxiety disorder is a condition that affects 15 million American adults. Social anxiety, like many conditions, can vary in severity; it can be a very mild condition, be triggered by certain social situations or be more severe, such as complete social phobia.
While the thought of partaking in holiday festivities can be a terrifying experience for those suffering with social anxiety disorder, not engaging in social gatherings can also make things worse. Symptoms include the inability to talk to others, feeling self-conscious, fear of being judged, anxiousness leading up to a social event, avoidance, elevated heart rate, muscle tension, dizziness, shortness of breath, sweating, shaking and feeling ill.
Soothing social anxiety is a different process for everyone. The following suggestions
- Don’t Beat Yourself Up: Give yourself a break by not overwhelming yourself with social commitments. Limit your yourself to settings that will cause you the least anxiety. It’s okay to say no.
- Keep Yourself Healthy: Although a challenge, especially during the holiday season, try avoiding foods high in sugar, fat, caffeine and alcohol; these can have negative affects your mood and energy levels.
- Bring a Friend: Bringing a companion who is understanding of your anxiety can be a great way to get out. Choosing an outgoing companion to help buffer your social interactions may be a great option to help you start or join conversations, be a source of support and be a great distraction.
- Keep Conversations Light and Cheery: Make sure to join in on conversations, make eye contact and smile. Keeping conversations limited to holiday plans, family, kids and general interests.
- Offer to Help the Party Host: Helping the party host cook or prepare for the event, is a great way to be involved but stay out of the spotlight. Not only will you be present at the party and engaging in conversation and activities, but you will also be providing much needed help to the party host.
Remember: you deserve to have a happy and healthy holiday season. Only do what makes you feel comfortable.
References:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/287129.php
http://www.psychiatryadvisor.com/news/social-anxiety-disorder-sad-holidays-christmas-coping/article/389000/
http://www.adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/managing-anxiety/managing-holiday-anxieties
