Social anxiety is a very common type of anxiety. Despite it being somewhat trending through this episode of our lives, it is also an experience that is often misdiagnosed. It's important to understand what you are actually experiencing and feeling, and avoiding the tendency to label without understanding in full.
First, it's important to categorize different kinds of social anxiety people can experience, and thus different kinds of coping mechanisms to what you may be experiencing.
Try exposing yourself to "low stakes" social situations then slowly increasing the intensity
- Anxiety is natural
- Don't feel like you need to go places alone
- Arrive early to meetings/gatherings so that you can meet people one-by-one; don't feel like you need to stay the whole time
- Stay up to date on current events so that you have things to discuss
-Take walks, keep up with exercise, and presently engage with strangers -- patrons at the coffee shop, grocery store
- It's okay to be uncomfortable
- Listen to your discomfort, and readjust, take breaks when you need to.
