4 Lifestyle Changes to Treat Social Anxiety
You have to fight back
How bad was my social anxiety?
- Locking myself in a bathroom stall at a work Christmas party trying to calm down for an hour
- Sneaking out of every large team building meeting to sit alone at my desk
- Not being able to start a conversation with any new faces without breaking into a sweat
- Keeping a very small set of friends knowing how hard it was to make new ones
It was rough and a long lasting issue I knew I had to get past. As many cases as you can make to why it’s good to be alone; it is extremally important to be able to connect with people, socialize and speak up for yourself. Some of your best moments in life will be made with total strangers.
Working on my social anxiety has helped me in the following areas:
- Spark intimate conversations with strangers
- Increase my network and net worth
- Take on team leadership roles
- Rock interviews by showcasing my personality
- Negotiate and plan better with 3rd parties
- Speak out and openly express my feelings
- Converse with any person of any gender, status, income level
Treating Social Anxiety isn’t something that happens overnight but you can start with these actions to significantly improve it:
Improve your Nutrition
I started taking plant based supplements. My mood, performance and sleep have improved ever since. Here is the list and a few of their benefits:
Omega 3
- Essential for brain development and function
- Lowers Blood Pressure
- Maintains Muscle Size and Strength
Black Seed Oil
- Strong Anti-Inflammatory
- Improves Lung functions
- Improves Sleep Quality
Chlorella
- Detoxifies the body
- Builds up the Immune System
- Boosts Energy
Ashwagandha
- Relieves Stress and Anxiety
- Lowers Blood Sugar
- Sharpens Focus and Memory
Participate in Group Fitness
I’ve lost 40 lbs. since attending Kick Boxing. The weight loss has improved my confidence and overall wellness. The best part is however that I’ve built a bond with my classmates, we fight together, laugh and celebrate as a team. It was a great way to help me open up and meet new people.
Solo Health and Wellness
From the Kickboxing and Supplements I’ve been far more comfortable spending time outside in public places. What also helps are the following:
Jogging
I still hate jogging but the benefits are overwhelming. While jogging you’re bound to run by a new face each time. The best part is you don’t need to stop and have a conversation “you’re busy on the move” but I do wave and say “hey!” to everyone I pass on my journey. That little play gets you used to speaking out to new faces.
Frisbee Golf
This is one I never thought I’d get into. It is a very therapeutic and challenging sport always in a public park. It is great to play alone however there are always others looking for partners to play with. I’ve joined teams spontaneously and played 1 vs 1 with strangers, have had great conversations and fun along the way.
Mediation
With all the distractions in the world you need to silence the noise. Meditation has helped me gather my thoughts and focus on myself inside out. I use an app called “Waking Up” it’s on iOS and Android. I put my headphones in and get lost in my mind.
Meetups
Join a meetup group related to something you’re passionate about.
I joined an Android Developer meetup group. You’ll find it’s very easy to chat with people that have common interests with you. I also joined a board game meetup group where I meet new people and get to share laughs twice a month.
Conclusion
Stay healthy, work on yourself and find ways to spark spontaneous conversations. The above helped me break out of my shell and I hope you consider integrating some of these into your life if you share the same problem.
Thanks for reading,
Brian Palmer
I would never call myself a Writer.
I used to be scared of sharing my thoughts and opinions online.
Medium has helped me break out of that shell and really open up the world.
I’m grateful for it, enjoy it and really encourage everyone to give a shot.
I read interesting stories that not only help me with my career but also everyday life.
Below is my publisher link if you’d like to get started as well:
