How to Get Over Public Anxiety

From being afraid to speak in front of a crowd, or being uncomfortable in a gathering of people, public anxiety can affect us all in different ways. It is important then to learn some ways to confront public anxiety and rid ourselves of the fears that could potentially hold us back from being able to enjoy the moment.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Decipher the difference between worry and anxiety. Anxiety is when you worry about an issue more than a small amount. If you are constantly uncomfortable and concerned about a certain situation then that would be considered anxiety not simple worry.
2. Acknowledge the reasons you are anxious. It is always helpful to know why you are anxious because you can not confront an issue you don't know about. Most people will be able to invalidate these reasons on their own after the problems are identified.
3. Seek help and support. Sometimes anxiety can be sign of health issues and should be reported to a doctor. It is also important to have some type of peer support system in place to relate to and for honest feedback.
4. Know your limits. Different situations have separate affects on everyone. Learn what your boundaries are and define them sharply in each anxious situation. For instance, if you are fine with sitting in a crowded movie theater but not fine with sitting in a crowded cafeteria the distinction should be observed and made note of.
5. Push your limits. In order to defeat your fear, you will have to face it and survive. This does not always mean victory in the short term but rather a more condensed lesson of how to deal with your anxiety and slowly rid yourself of it. It is always best to have a gauge of how well you are doing and to constantly challenge yourself to do better.