For months on end, every conversation has seemed to include the same feeling: I can’t wait to get on the other side of this pandemic. Now, as vaccine numbers rise and virus cases fall, the other side seems closer than ever before. But it turns out that may not be as exciting as it used to feel. Learning different ways to help with social anxiety or finding social anxiety support groups can be a great first step in helping overcome that anxiety in you or someone you love.
There can be many reasons you may be nervous to reestablish life as it used to be. You may still be nervous about the health of yourself and your loved ones, you may not want to return to the daily commute to work, you may not know what will be happening with your child’s school. Or you may have always been anxious about social situations.
Social Anxiety – When Isolation Was Welcome
Social anxiety involves a persistent and intense fear or anxiety of social situations, or anxiety out of proportion to the social situation you’re entering. This often involves a fear of being judged or somehow embarrassed, and may lead you to try to avoid social situations.
For someone dealing with social anxiety, isolation has brought a sort of reprieve. The pressure to go out, meet with groups of people, and do new things was all lifted. There was pride in being by yourself, because you were doing it for the benefit of public health.
Now, not only are restaurants and attractions reopening at full capacity, but non-anxious friends and family are beyond eager to indulge. In some cases, that may mean you’re facing more invitations than ever before! Add to that a year of isolation, and there is fear that the social skills you had are now out of practice.
And, again, these feelings may be even further heightened if you also experience health-related anxiety. With the CDC saying vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks in most situations, many people are walking around maskless. That can be uncomfortable, after seeing everyone masked for more than a year.
You are not alone in how you feel. A recent study found about half of respondents are hesitant about returning to in-person interactions. Those findings were similar among people who are vaccinated and those who are not.
How to Help Relieve Social Anxiety
While there are some steps a person can take to try to help themselves, someone experiencing social anxiety is often best supported with the help of a trained professional who may prescribe medication or use psychotherapy. Jax Therapy Network features a searchable database of local, licensed counselors and therapists in a wide range of specialties.
If the social anxiety you experience doesn’t severely affect your daily life, you may be able to manage through common stress reduction techniques like sleeping well, breathing exercises, and limiting alcohol and caffeine. Specifically with social situations, don’t feel pressured to jump in to the deep end right away. Start with small groups of friends you trust, in an environment where you feel safe. From there, you can gradually step forward to small interactions with strangers, or going out to a more crowded location with a loved one.
Social anxiety may also be reduced if you make a good plan ahead of time- know what activity you’re doing, who you’ll be with, whether you will be eating, and similar considerations. Knowing this will allow you to prepare- what clothes to wear, if you should eat beforehand, if everything is in your budget- which will help alleviate some anxiety of the unknown. It may also be beneficial to set aside time the rest of that day or the day after, so you know you’ll have the ability to recharge.
Finally, consider being open with loved ones about your fears and anxieties. Odds are you will find they want to support you, or may even have similar feelings.
Ready to find your therapist? Search the Jax Therapy Network and find help with social anxiety from professional therapists and social anxiety counseling support.
