10 Anxiety Busters to Cure Social Anxiety

Having such an intense fear of social situations can be debilitating because weeks before the event the person suffering with a social phobia actually becomes ill. So anxious are they with waiting in trepidation for the event to arrive, their symptoms get in the way of being able to perform their daily chores properly.

Upset stomach, nausea, dry mouth, feeling dizzy, shaky and sweating are symptoms which give away the embarrassing secret that some people in leading positions carry with them.  Dreaded social events or performance situations can be alleviated by following 10 anxiety busters to cure social anxiety.

1. Take a social skills course or even an assertiveness training class. You'll pick up verbal and non-verbal social skills to effectively interact with friends and strangers and develop social competence. Check out the Internet for education centers which offer these very valuable courses.
   
2. With stress, your breathing is shallow and rapid, resulting in a loss of CO2 and oxygen to the body, leading to symptoms of dizziness, increased heart rate and anxiety. Learning to breathe slowly will bring physical symptoms of anxiety back under control. Inhale deeply and slowly through your nose; hold your breath for 4 seconds and exhale slowly through your mouth.
   

3. Lifestyle changes won't eradicate social phobia but it supports your anxiety buster program. Limit anxiety-increasing stimulants such as caffeine and avoid drinking before a party, as contrary to popular belief, this increases anxiety. Get enough sleep, as being sleep deprived, you become vulnerable to anxiety attacks. Visiting a spa puts you in touch with therapists who will help you heal your body which in turns helps to re-energize your mind and spirit. 

1. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is highly effective as it actually changes your feelings which influence your behavior. Relaxation techniques will teach you how to breathe properly and in group therapy you will practice and prepare to face the circumstances you dread. Meditation for instance is excellent self-help therapy, the ultimate aim being to achieve control over your mental processes by means of a high level of concentration. These deep relaxation techniques bring about increased mental awareness and it can be practiced alone or in a group. It is hugely effective in reducing stress-related ailments such as phobias, nervous tension and anxiety.
2. Learn to be yourself – a part of social anxiety treatment involves learning to present an image to others which is less than perfect. Letting your guard down a bit and putting the real you forward can be liberating.
3. While medication is not a cure for social anxiety disorders, it is helpful for a more immediate effect and when it is used in conjunction with other self-help techniques that get to the root of social anxiety disorders. Beta blockers and antidepressants will certainly help as they block the flow of adrenaline which comes about when you are very anxious.
4. Make a concerted effort to relax. This won't eliminate your anxiety, but it's another contributing management technique. Yoga, going for long walks, horse-riding and aerobic exercise releases endorphins; good feeling hormones and provides you with an activity where your thoughts are concentrated elsewhere and away from yourself.

8. Not everyone likes keeping a diary but in this instance it can be helpful to keep a record of the thoughts which trigger anxiety. Once you are aware of the thoughts which trigger these anxiety attacks you can take steps to change your thought patterns and what steps to take to minimize the effects they have on you.
   
9. Join a small group which shares an interest of yours; a book club, sailing club, gardening- or cooking club or walking group where it is easier to talk and mix because of the smallness of the group.  Even if you feel like your can't make conversation, being light-hearted, kind and cheerful will make you a pleasure to be with even if you don't say much.

1. Remember that you don't have to be at every party and event to be socially acceptable. If you are not a party animal in any case and the event is such that your presence is not required, skip it rather. Forcing you to go to a party and then sitting awkwardly alone, causes anxiety for the host of the party whose job it is to ensure everyone is having a good time. You'll have a far less stressful time and also a more enjoyable time chilling at home or going out with one or two people whose company you value.

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There are other treatments like hypnosis which are good for treating anxiety conditions such as anxiety phobias and panic attacks. Feeling good and having confidence in social situations is within your reach in order to bring your body and mind into a state of wholeness.