Wellness Wednesday- Social Anxiety and the Holidays

First off, I hope you have a peaceful and connected holiday tomorrow, as this year has definitely presented some challenges and how we will participate in the holiday. I thought that it would be helpful to talk a little bit more about social anxiety and what we can do to help with that when we are faced with crowds or just our immediate families. 

1. Prepare in advance. Have as much as can be prepared prior to people arriving or going out. If that is baking and freezing food, or packing a bag with essential items. 

2. Arrive early. If it's too a house or a store. Get there before opening or meeting time. It can help you assess the situation and also have a few moments to breathe and put yourself in a calm state. 

3. Seek support. Have a friend or family member that you trust to go with you, even if it's on the phone. It helps to know that you are not alone and even if you do not want to share with them your worry or anxiety. Talk about the weather- it's a great and effective distraction. 

4. Journal- write your worries and anxieties down or do a recording on your phone. Give yourself permission to put them away for another time. Because you wrote them down or recorded them, you won't forget them and the physical-ness of this action will help give yourself that permission- which will alleviate the guilt that sometimes comes along with this type of action. 

I hope that you have a happy holiday tomorrow and accumulate a lot of positive experiences- you deserve it. 

Have a Happy Wednesday, Lorry