AD | I’m very open about my mental health and the struggles I’ve had with anxiety over the last seven years. It’s been one heck of a journey for me and a journey that I don’t think will ever really end. It’s a constant learning process and I’m okay with that. Anxiety hit me really hard. Like, really hard. It turned my life upside down. And one of the main things I struggled with (and still do sometimes) was how to manage anxiety during social events.
Social anxiety presents itself in a lot of people. You’d be surprised by the number of people you know who suffer from anxiety during social events to some degree. Socializing is hard sometimes, and pressures and worries can come from all directions. From worrying about what people think of you, to concerns about the event venue. The list really is endless.
But none of us wants social anxiety to limit our lives and stop us from going out, meeting friends, having fun and experiencing new things. For mild to moderate social anxiety, there’s plenty of things we can do, try and work on to ease our anxiety, from breathing techniques, herbal remedies like CBD oil, an action plan and more. And that’s what I want to talk about today!
Quick disclaimer: Any products or tips mentioned in this post are not intended to treat, cure or diagnose anxiety. They’re simply things I’ve either tried myself or suggestions of things that have worked for others. If you’re worried about anxiety or any other mental illness, then consult your GP first.
5 ways to manage anxiety during social events
Learn a breathing technique that works for you
Breathing techniques are incredible when it comes to calming yourself down and managing your anxiety during social events. We all know the feeling of our heartbeat ramping up, our breathing getting quicker or getting flushed and irritable due to increased anxiety.
I like the 7/11 technique, where you breathe in for seven counts and out for eleven. That’s just one of many different techniques you can learn to use because you don’t need any special equipment or situation in order to use this amazing technique.
Try herbal remedies
I’ve mentioned before that I’m a lover of herbal remedies when it comes to my anxiety. I know they’re not for everyone and some people require medication, which if that’s the case, then great. If you’re not on medication, and herbal remedies like CBD oil are something you’d like to look into, then this pointer is for you!
CBD oil in an atomizer spray bottle is super handy because it’s small, can be kept in your bag or pocket, and you can take a quick spritz whenever you feel overwhelmed. Or if you have experience in vaping, then the CBD vape juice used with a small vape pen is a convenient, fast-acting option, as it hits the bloodstream immediately.
Know and research the venue
Something that amplifies my social anxiety is when I’m going somewhere I’ve never been before and I’m not familiar with the venue. So I tend to spend hours researching a venue before heading there, so I have a general idea of what to expect when I arrive.
If this sounds like you, then you really can benefit from a bit of research. Going to the website of the venue is always helpful, as well as reading some positive reviews (please don’t read the bad ones!). And even contacting the venue with questions directly is always an option!
Take comfort items with you
I have a few things that I take with me everywhere I go, which just knowing they’re in my bag, helps me massively. As well as herbal remedies, which I always have with me, I always take a bottle of water, a snack or two and some face / cooling mist. I get very hot and bothered when I get too anxious so this really helps!
Even an item that just makes you happy is always a good option to take to social events. It doesn’t have to be something you carry in a bag either. It could be a piece of jewelry that a loved one has given you. Or a piece of clothing that holds some special memories!
Charge your phone
Being cut off from the world is a real worry to me. I worry that if I get anxious, there’s going to be no one there to help me. And whilst to a degree, we always have to rely on ourselves and develop coping mechanisms that allow us to deal with our own anxiety, it’s also handy to have loved ones available if the situation arises.
So something super simple like making sure your phone is charged and having emergency contact numbers at the ready can really help put your mind at ease when coming up with ways to manage anxiety during social events.
If you suffer from social anxiety, I’d love to hear what tips and advice you have! Do you do any of these things? Have you figured out another technique that works? Let us know!
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