Dr. Chris Wolf on How to Overcome Shyness Now to Improve Your Quality of Life
3 Minute Read
Shyness can really hold us back--partially because most people who are shy avoid talking in public and partly due to the fact that they experience such extreme chronic stress.
So, if that's you too, take solace in knowing that you're far from alone in thinking you're shy. Shyness is a common affliction affecting millions of people world-wide. But despite the fact that the disorder can often be treated successfully and even overcome with a little bit of practice and perseverance, there are a few basic things you can do to help yourself feel better.
Shyness Causes
Being Shy Feels Lonely
In order to overcome your shyness and get over the fear of social situations that is so common in shy people, you need to know the actual causes of shyness. Most people who suffer from this condition will tell you that it's simply the fear of embarrassing themselves and being humiliated in front of others. And it is true that it can lead to some pretty unpleasant emotional effects. It can make you shy and even cause you to avoid talking to other people entirely, at least until you get comfortable enough to discuss yourself.
In fact, some of the symptoms of shyness itself include difficulty getting a response or attention from others, an inability to speak confidently and even a fear of rejection. The more uncomfortable you become with certain social situations, the more you'll try to avoid them--and so you'll build up an obsessive fear of social interaction.
So how do we identify what shyness causes? It's a good idea to start by getting rid of the triggers, the factors that can keep you locked in this state of constant apprehension.
Shyness often stems from feeling anxious or embarrassed about certain activities, particularly in social settings. Some of the main causes of shyness are not really the activities themselves but rather how we interpret these activities when they occur. For instance, if you're a shy person, you may find yourself avoiding social situations because you don't want to be seen making the first move, or because you don't want people to notice how nervous you really are about making that first move. However, you have to realize that the reason you have such feelings toward a particular situation is because you're afraid of being exposed, judged, rejected or humiliated.
Shyness is often an early sign of stress, which can also cause it. Many people who are suffering from social anxiety also suffer from shyness, as the two go hand in hand. Stress can cause both anxiety and a feeling of shyness, which can be a common problem among shy individuals who want to gain social acceptance.
Shyness is also often caused by a general lack of confidence in one's self. One of the main causes of shyness is the fear of being embarrassed in social situations--but in addition, shyness is often caused by an inability to accept that you do have something wrong with your appearance, such as an excessive sweating, facial blushing, shyness around specific groups or even a certain language that you find uncomfortable. This makes it a very difficult problem for someone who is not naturally shy to solve, because being unable to accept themselves physically can lead to a psychological block of their self-confidence.
Overcome Shyness
Finally, learning how to overcome shyness also involves realizing that it is entirely possible to overcome shyness. There are several techniques and methods of treatment that can help you overcome shyness if you recognize the symptoms and learn how to overcome them. These include learning self-hypnosis, learning relaxation techniques, learning about the mind, learning more about yourself and learning new habits and behaviors.
So, learn how to overcome shyness causes. You may need to make a few minor adjustments in your life, but you will also need to learn more about yourself and the world around you. By learning more about yourself and your beliefs you can then begin to overcome shyness and gain social acceptance. Shyness can often be overcome if you have a strong understanding of yourself and the way the world works. Therapy can help.
We are here to help.