Social Settings Making You Feel Anxious? Try Saying These Affirmations
Social Anxiety Impacts Many People’s Lives
Many people feel anxious in social situations. Some have more mild issues such as feeling anxious before and during an event, get a bit sweaty, and worry what others think of them. This anxiety can become more extreme for others where they dread going to an event days in advance, feel completely overwhelmed at events, and even make excuses up to avoid going to events. This can lead to people feeling there is something wrong with them and even feel hopeless in ever becoming more comfortable with who they are as a person.
Saying Affirmations Can Change The Way We Think About Anxiety
In many of these cases, people are thinking about themselves, others, and the situations in negative ways. Cognitive behavioral therapists look to help identify these thoughts, see if any are unrealistic, and work on replacing them with more helpful and beneficial ways of thinking.
One way to help do this is to create positive affirmations to write down and even say out loud. This helps change your attitude and respond more constructively to the kinds of negative self-talk that can make social anxiety worse.
How To Effectively Use Affirmations
Now, reading through these only once or twice will not likely have much impact for you. But…if you rehearse several of these twice a day for several weeks, will help you begin to replace your negative self-talk and move you in a more constructive direction. So read through the below affirmations out loud, giving yourself time to reflect on how each could look like in your life. Or…record your favorite affirmations on your phone leaving 5 seconds between each one. Then twice a day, find a comfortable spot, and get relaxed. Once in a relaxed state, close your eyes, listen to the recording, and visualize yourself as a more positive and sociable person.
Choose your favorite affirmations from the following list:
I am learning to let go of worry.
Each day I’m growing in my ability to master my worry and social anxiety.
I am learning not to feed my anxiety, to choose peace over fear.
I am learning to consciously choose what I think, and believe, and I choose thoughts and beliefs that are supportive and beneficial for me.
When anxiety comes up, I can slow down, breathe and let them go.
When socially anxious thoughts come up, I can relax, observe them, and eventually they leave.
Social anxiety is made up of false thoughts. I can let these go.
When I see most social situations as they truly are, there’s nothing really for me to be afraid of.
Fearful thoughts are usually exaggerated, and I’m growing into my ability to turn them off.
The true risk I face in most social situations is actually very small.
Every worry about social situations involves overestimating the risk of danger. And underestimating my ability to cope.
More and more, it’s becoming easier to be relaxed and talkative in social situations.
When I catch myself feeling anxious, I simply refocus on the conversation at hand.
Fear is dissolving and vanishing from my life. I am calm, confident, and sociable.
As I grow in my ability to relax and feel confident and social situations, I realize that there is truly nothing to worry about.
Still Need Help With Social Anxiety?
Social anxiety can impact all ages and all settings. Sometimes we may feel confident in one are of our social lives (e.g., friends and family), but terrified in others (e.g., giving a speech in front of a crowd). If you find yourself struggling, counseling can help with social anxiety. Our counselors at Sequoia Counseling Group can help formulate a plan for you and get living life to the fullest.
Reach out today with any questions you may have or to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. We look forward to hearing from you.
Dr. Philip B. Gnilka is the Clinical Director and Founder of Sequoia Counseling Group, a boutique mental health practice that serves clients in Las Vegas, NV. His experience as a tenured professor in mentoring students about counseling approaches and theories reinforced his passion for helping individual clients directly. He specializes in anxiety, stress management, and perfectionism.