How to Make Friends if You're Shy

Overcome shyness with determination and by changing your routines.

Good friends are there for you, through good times and bad. According to MayoClinic.com, having good friends can improve your overall well being. Shyness, though, can hinder you from developing friendships. It is a personality trait with biological and social causes that can make social interaction painful, according to the American Psychological Association. You can learn ways to work through your shyness and make new friends.

Instructions

1. Recognize that it might take time for you to feel comfortable in social situations. Although you may feel awkward at first, talking to people becomes easier with practice.

2. Join a shyness support group. Support groups allow you to connect with others who have similar issues and experiences. In a support group, you share your feelings with others and receive advice and support from them.

3. Volunteer in an organization that has meaning to you, such as an animal shelter or a hospital. According to HelpGuide.org, volunteering allows you to focus your attention on an activity and meet others at the same time. If you concentrate on helping others, you feel less pressured and may have more confidence to interact with others.

4. Take an exercise class. Physical activity can boost your self-esteem and help you feel more confident, according to MayoClinic.com. Whether you choose aerobics, yoga or some other activity, an exercise class gives you the opportunity to interact with others in a relaxed and fun setting.

5. Ask questions during a conversation. If you feel nervous talking to someone, asking him questions can take the focus off yourself. For example, you can ask what he does for a living or what his hobbies are. When you ask someone questions about himself, he recognizes that you are interested in learning more about him.

References

• MayoClinic.com; Friendships: Enrich Your Life and Improve Your Health; April 16, 2011
• American Psychological Association: Painful Shyness
• TeensHealth: Shyness
• HelpGuide.org; Social Anxiety Disorder and Social Phobia; Melinda Smith and Ellen Jaffe-Gill
• MayoClinic.org; Exercise: 7 Benefits of Regular Physical Activity; July 25, 2009

Resources

• Meetup: Shyness and Social Anxiety Meetup Groups