Social Anxiety in the Workplace

Workplace social anxiety can be a little more intimidating, especially if you hold a higher role in the company or your own company. It can be nerve racking because the people you lead are always coming to you for any and everything. You manage to handle situations like a boss, but internally it can take a toll on your mental. Although you may not notice, some people who hold high titles can seem perfectly empowered and in control in their role, but they also deal with being introverted in their personal lives.

Speaking in front of people may be seen as their strong suit, but deep down its very intimidating. I know quite a few people who just prefer to be surrounded by simple, down to earth people that they can hold intellectual conversation with.

Social Media Influence on Social Anxiety

Times have changed as far as people meeting more over social media, but it still doesn’t take away from the effects of social anxiety. We all deal with it in different ways, especially if you’re an introvert. I have deep relation to dealing with social anxiety and my introversion. If anything, social media has allowed people to gain more anxiety by giving false narratives of who people really are and what their lives are really like. Acts of bullying on social media has also impacted social anxiety of those who deal with it.

Ways We Can Help an Introvert with Social Anxiety

• Instead of being judgmental, introduce yourself. If you are a more social person, take the first step. It can help someone dealing with social nervousness become less anxious and a bit more comfortable.

• Avoid overwhelming someone you may feel suffers from social anxiety. Don’t introduce them to a crowd. If you have many people to introduce them to, try introducing people one by one or in pairs.

Small Steps That an Introvert can Take to Conquer Social Anxiety

• Take one day of the week to go to an event or social environment like a coffee shop. Ease your way into an environment of people.

• Know and believe you can overcome social anxiety. As I mentioned in other blogs, manifestation and mindset can change a lot of things for us. Practice affirmations that help you overcome your anxiety, like “I am a social butterfly.”, or “People welcome me with open arms.”

• Dig deep. What inner things may cause you to become socially anxious? Work on healing the inner wounds and surely it will all flow afterwards.

Closing Thoughts

Overall, anxiety comes in many forms and many ways we can overcome it. Think of some of the ways you overcome your own personal experiences that may lend as a helping hand to those around you. I am no stranger to anxiety, but being willing to try and overcome it is always the first step.