Coping with Social Anxiety

With the welcomed return of meeting up with friends, going out for dinner and heading back to the office, those with social anxiety may be struggling with returning to normal life while health risks are still prevalent. Many have found comfort and safety staying at home and reducing social contact while losing critical social skills and reinforcing unhelpful avoidance and safety behaviours. Also, the CSO reported that 74.4% of Irish 18–34-year old’s had their mental health negatively impacted due to the pandemic. Socializing is crucial for health and wellbeing, as it has been shown to relieve stress, reduce depression and even anxiety itself (Ozbay et al., 2007), so it is vital to challenge the limitations imposed by social anxiety.

• Identify social anxiety traits
• Help sufferers reconnect with others using techniques such as graded exposure
• Rebuild social skills Challenge unhelpful thoughts
• Learn relaxation and grounding techniques

Any member with an interest in learning various tools and techniques on how we can look after ourselves to ensure positive wellbeing.