Are you really paranoid? Or are you closer to recovering from social anxiety than you realize? I ask and bring this up because I will be 40, older than dirt, something in a couple of months, and everyone in my life has just been used to me having social anxiety.
They were used to me not calling a "stranger" to check up on them. They got comfortable with the fact that they could invite me to events they really didn't want me to go to for whatever reason, knowing I would decline the offer... and on and on.
There are also others in my life that can be manipulators, and they have used my social anxiety "against" me. Sounds a bit paranoid doesn't it? Well, as paranoid as it sounds, it really does happen. Some people can and will be that mean if it can benefit them somehow.
The day I started living my life without social anxiety, was really the day my life got very stressful, until I realized I was allowing others' actions to cause me stress. It was actually the most freeing and fantastic experience when I finally didn't care what anyone thought of me.
So, are you really paranoid? Probably not. No one likes change, but if your friends and family cannot accept the new you it is time to distance yourself from them. I am NOT saying alienate them or forget about them. Just distance yourself from the negativity you are receiving.
Live your life to the fullest. Do not allow anyone to be negative around you. Enjoy your new found freedom. More importantly, do not let anyone put back any negative thoughts so you question, am I really paranoid?
Friday, February 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Anxiety Triggers Often Overlooked
Day to day events and schedules can cause anxiety as we know, but some anxiety triggers are often overlooked. Nutrition plays a bigger role for anxiety sufferers than most people realize.
The obvious anxiety trigger is caffeine. We all know we shouldn't take in too much caffeine. The problem comes in when we overlook caffeine products. Coffee is obvious, yes, and so is tea, chocolate, pop, and energy drinks.
But, did you know that some over the counter medicines also have caffeine? 1 NoDoz Maximum Strength tablet has 200mg of caffeine! Vivarin, Extra Strength Excedrin, and Maximum Strength Anacin also has caffeine.
If you need to cut back on your caffeine intake, do it slowly! There's nothing worse than a caffeine withdrawal headache!
Other anxiety triggers often overlooked besides what you eat is how you eat. Do you skip meals? Are you on a small caloric diet? Erratic eating causes chaos with your blood sugar levels. This can affect your moods and cause anxiety symptoms.
How much sleep do you get every night? If you don't get enough sleep, this too can cause anxiety symptoms like feeling jittery. How about exercise? It has been proven that exercise can fight stress. You don't have to go to the gym, but what about going for a walk or a jog? Check with your doctor before starting any exercise program, though.
So, pay closer attention to your daily schedule. Do you have anxiety triggers you are overlooking? Even if you can make just one change toward a healthier lifestyle, you can lower your anxiety level.
The Food-Mood Solution
The Thrive Diet: The Whole Food Way To Reduce Stress
Good Night: The Sleep Doctor's 4 week program to better sleep
Conquering Depression and Anxiety Through Exercise
The obvious anxiety trigger is caffeine. We all know we shouldn't take in too much caffeine. The problem comes in when we overlook caffeine products. Coffee is obvious, yes, and so is tea, chocolate, pop, and energy drinks.
But, did you know that some over the counter medicines also have caffeine? 1 NoDoz Maximum Strength tablet has 200mg of caffeine! Vivarin, Extra Strength Excedrin, and Maximum Strength Anacin also has caffeine.
If you need to cut back on your caffeine intake, do it slowly! There's nothing worse than a caffeine withdrawal headache!
Other anxiety triggers often overlooked besides what you eat is how you eat. Do you skip meals? Are you on a small caloric diet? Erratic eating causes chaos with your blood sugar levels. This can affect your moods and cause anxiety symptoms.
How much sleep do you get every night? If you don't get enough sleep, this too can cause anxiety symptoms like feeling jittery. How about exercise? It has been proven that exercise can fight stress. You don't have to go to the gym, but what about going for a walk or a jog? Check with your doctor before starting any exercise program, though.
So, pay closer attention to your daily schedule. Do you have anxiety triggers you are overlooking? Even if you can make just one change toward a healthier lifestyle, you can lower your anxiety level.
The Food-Mood Solution
The Thrive Diet: The Whole Food Way To Reduce Stress
Good Night: The Sleep Doctor's 4 week program to better sleep
Conquering Depression and Anxiety Through Exercise
Monday, February 25, 2008
Motivation Is Critical For Someone With Social Anxiety
Why is motivation critical for someone with social anxiety? It takes a lot of motivation to recover from anything, but it is critical for someone recovering from social anxiety because we are always fighting against negative thoughts. Negative thoughts will bring us down fast and keep us there if we don't recognize and change them.
Some people call it procrastination, some call it laziness, others call it just having excuses. However, someone with social anxiety is constantly battling negative thoughts such as "what if...?" and these are the thoughts that will put a corkscrew in any motivation one might have.
Another reason motivation is critical for someone with social anxiety, is the thought of recovering is a very scary thing. The unknown is scary anyway, now throw in the fact that someone has social anxiety and is "scared" all the time anyway.
To recover from social anxiety is to do things that causes fear. The more someone with social anxiety practices doing things that puts them out of their comfort zone, the more likely they will be to succeed. But, again, the very thing that will help in the recovery, is the exact thing that keeps us where we are at... fear.
No one can force another to change. No one can force another to want to get better. This all has to come from within, and the one thing that will help is motivation. That is why motivation is critical for someone with social anxiety.
There are several great resources available that helps with motivation, but you have to want to change; you have to want to beat social anxiety. If you are ready to commit to a better life, I have listed a few resources below. Good luck in your venture.
Some people call it procrastination, some call it laziness, others call it just having excuses. However, someone with social anxiety is constantly battling negative thoughts such as "what if...?" and these are the thoughts that will put a corkscrew in any motivation one might have.
Another reason motivation is critical for someone with social anxiety, is the thought of recovering is a very scary thing. The unknown is scary anyway, now throw in the fact that someone has social anxiety and is "scared" all the time anyway.
To recover from social anxiety is to do things that causes fear. The more someone with social anxiety practices doing things that puts them out of their comfort zone, the more likely they will be to succeed. But, again, the very thing that will help in the recovery, is the exact thing that keeps us where we are at... fear.
No one can force another to change. No one can force another to want to get better. This all has to come from within, and the one thing that will help is motivation. That is why motivation is critical for someone with social anxiety.
There are several great resources available that helps with motivation, but you have to want to change; you have to want to beat social anxiety. If you are ready to commit to a better life, I have listed a few resources below. Good luck in your venture.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Social Anxiety and Dating
Social Anxiety and Dating, what a scary thought! Social anxiety and the thought of meeting people is scary enough, but when you add in the fact that you might like someone and want to make a good impression, dating can be above and beyond anxiety and turn into a full blown panic attack.
Practicing good strategies for meeting people is a great place to start. Good eye contact, smiling, learning small talk... Above all Stop Those Negative Thoughts!!!! Choose first date activities wisely. It might be better to go to an amusement park where there's lots of activities and things to do and talk about, rather than a quiet intimate dinner.
For those with social anxiety, it is very hard to meet people to practice good strategies. My suggestion earlier was to begin small, like with social networking sites online. Not so much to actually meet anyone in person from those sites, but to practice conversing.
It's a very scary thought to choose to get better, but it is so freeing, and it feels good. Good luck on your successful journey!
Practicing good strategies for meeting people is a great place to start. Good eye contact, smiling, learning small talk... Above all Stop Those Negative Thoughts!!!! Choose first date activities wisely. It might be better to go to an amusement park where there's lots of activities and things to do and talk about, rather than a quiet intimate dinner.
For those with social anxiety, it is very hard to meet people to practice good strategies. My suggestion earlier was to begin small, like with social networking sites online. Not so much to actually meet anyone in person from those sites, but to practice conversing.
It's a very scary thought to choose to get better, but it is so freeing, and it feels good. Good luck on your successful journey!
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