YOUR SOCIAL SURVIVAL GUIDE

It's time to break out of that cocoon and unleash the social butterfly within

- Compiled by Amber Bramble.

Party season is well underway, and if you're one of the many that deals with social anxiety, you may already be thinking of creative excuses. However if there's a part of you that does want to get out and mingle, it could be time to make this the year of saying "yes". Professor Ian Hickie and James O'Loghlin, co-hosts of the podcast Minding Your Mind reveal how to deal with those pre-party jitters.

REDUCE THE PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY

If you feel anxious before you enter a social gathering, take some long, slow, deep breaths. This will help you feel a bit calmer. Anxiety speeds us up, so slow yourself down. Don't rush or fidget. Move and talk deliberately. Once you enter the gathering, try to keep breathing slowly and deeply. Simply doing this can reduce anxious thoughts and feelings.

ACT THE PART

Even if you feel anxious, you can make yourself look friendly. Smile and make eye contact. If you do that, others will want to talk to you more than if you present that stern look anxious people have. Plus, acting like we're enjoying ourselves does actually make us enjoy ourselves a bit more.

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