How to overcome social anxiety at events and parties?

Do you feel uncomfortable around people? Or does the very thought of performing in front of an audience or attending a party with a lot of people make you fearful? Then you definitely have signs of a social phobia that you need to get rid of. We will give you some practical tips on how to get rid of this fear and how to overcome social anxiety. Especially when it comes to attending events, parties or events.

1. Prepare and plan ahead

There is a phrase: “luck favors a prepared mind.” Therefore, one of the best ways to avoid unwanted situations is to be prepared for them in advance. Before attending an event or party, it is a good idea to think about the people you might meet. Think about what you can talk to them about. Just remember that there is a fine line between meticulous planning and stress. So don’t go overboard with details. Think about how you will react if you find yourself in an awkward social situation. For example, you forgot what you need to say, or ran into an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend.

2. Wear comfortable clothing to boost confidence

When we talk about how to overcome social anxiety, it is important to remember that we need to feel comfortable and confident. The easiest way to do this is to wear your favorite and most beautiful outfit.

Tips for Men: If it’s a formal event, you can wear a suit or jacket paired with a nice shirt and nice jeans. If it’s a casual meeting or party, then you can wear a T-shirt with jeans. Just don’t go overboard with very vibrant colors unless you know a lot about style.

Tips for women: beautiful evening dress, chic combination of top and knee-length skirt. Stylish blouse with buttons with dark jeans and shoes. These can all be good options when it comes to attending an event. Whether it’s a formal or an informal meeting. In any case, try to be stylish and comfortable in your clothes.

3. Take a boyfriend or girlfriend with you

If you decide to go to a meeting or party where you don’t know much, then it’s a good idea to bring your friend or acquaintance with you. True friends take care of each other. So their support can be very important to make you feel relaxed and calm. You can tell your friend ahead of time about the difficult situations you may face and how you want him / her to support you during this awkward moment. It could even be as simple as an auxiliary laugh. But his presence and support can help you overcome social phobia.

4. Take a gift

An easy way to reduce social anxiety when meeting someone is to take a small gift with you. This could be a bottle of wine, a bouquet of flowers, or any other token of appreciation you deem appropriate. This will give you a good start to the conversation and may ease the potentially nervous atmosphere.

5. Don’t feel obligated to meet or communicate with someone.

“What is the best way for me to approach and say hello?” “And if I miss someone and don’t say hello, will they be offended by me?” Don’t let these questions bother you. And remember, you don’t have to meet or chat with anyone at the event. Except for the people you care about and who you really want to meet. If you think that meeting a specific person is outside your comfort zone, don’t do it.

6. Take a deep breath every time you feel nervous.

Typically, a person is nervous in situations that are outside of his comfort zone. And if you are nervous at meetings because of some social factors, then learn how to deal with it. Calm down and stop worrying. Close your eyes for a second and take a deep breath. Thus, you will provide yourself with the necessary dose of oxygen. In doing so, remember something good and positive.

7. Don’t rely on alcohol

If you think alcohol can help you calm down and can help you overcome social anxiety, then this is not true. Alcohol addiction is a trap that is easy to fall into and difficult to get out of. In addition, there is a great risk of losing control over your behavior if you overdo it with this “sedative”. Plus, alcohol often leads to unpleasant situations. Which ultimately only exacerbate social anxiety. I’m not saying you need to get rid of it completely, but make sure you don’t depend on alcohol.

8. Learn the basics of etiquette and table conduct

Not knowing the different types of cutlery can cause unwanted nervousness and anxiety. To avoid this, learn some of the basics of etiquette, which include using different types of cutlery. Whether you are planning to attend a formal dinner or not, it is always helpful to have this knowledge. As a result, you will feel more confident at a dinner or meeting. That will also contribute to overcoming social phobia.

9. Remember that everyone does not watch or judge you.

Social anxiety and fear at events often stems from the misconception that “everyone will judge me.” If you have these thoughts, remind yourself that people can be busy, entertained, or socialize. They won’t care about you at all. Especially if you’re at a party. So the last thing that will bother the invitees is your dress or behavior. Stop dwelling on these thoughts. And it will be much easier for you to overcome social anxiety.

10. Do not stand out from the crowd if you are not ready for a lot of attention.

It can be tempting to wear a fashion accessory, dress, or suit to grab your attention. Or do something different to stand out from the crowd. But, if you’re dealing with social anxiety, being the center of attention may not be the best option.

11. Work on confident body language

The next tip on how to overcome social anxiety is to work on your behavior. A straight back, straight shoulders, good posture and a calm attitude are some of the most important elements of a confident body language. This is a great advantage in any social situation. So practice confident body language even if you don’t need to attend an event anytime soon. This will help you master the art of confident behavior anyway.

Just remember that, like so many things in life, portraying overconfidence can seem awkward if you overdo it. And your artificial attempts to increase confidence can look odd and work against you.

12. Accept yourself as real

The last piece of advice on how to overcome social anxiety is to love yourself for who you are. Stop looking at the fact that other people are prettier and better than you at something. Falling in love with your real self is the most important thing every person needs to do. Especially if he has problems with social anxiety. Remember, none of us are perfect. And each of us has our own shortcomings. So if you can’t deal with them, just accept them and move on. But be sure to work on yourself. Go in for sports, exercise, constantly develop and lead a healthy lifestyle. It will give you confidence and help you overcome social fears.