7 Simple Situations That Anxiety Can Make Difficult ...

Going to the dentist is never fun. You get poked, prodded, and have to deal with questions about how often you brush and floss. No one wants to feel judged and told that they should take better care of themselves. Even the hair salon, which the movies make look so relaxing, can be stressful. You’re obliged to talk to the hairdresser when you just want to keep quiet. Appointments are one of the many situations that anxiety can make difficult, but they’re an essential part of life.

Calling in sick for work, making an appointment, or even phoning for pizza can be stressful. What if you fumble your words or don’t know how to respond to what the other person says? If you’re nervous, write down what you have to say before you dial. Remember that the person on the other end of the receiver can’t see you, so at least you don’t have to make eye contact and smile. All you need to focus on is what you’re saying.

If your friend invites you to a party where you don’t know anyone, you’ll have to converse with strangers. If you don’t, you’ll be stuck sitting alone and snacking on finger foods. Even if there are a few people you know, you don’t want to follow them around all night, acting like their shadow. As scary as it sounds, parties are a great opportunity for you to get more comfortable talking to others. Chances are you’ll never see them again, so it doesn’t matter if you embarrass yourself.

If you’re in high school or college, you worry about this frequently. You’ll know the answer to a question, but are too anxious to raise your hand. It’s even worse if you’re unsure of the answer and your teacher has a habit of randomly calling on students. If you have a job, this is the equivalent of speaking up during a meeting. It can be scary to speak in front of a group, especially since your peers are the people you see on a daily basis.

First dates and being left alone with a friend’s parent or sibling can be awkward. Since you’re the only person around, you feel compelled to keep your partner company. If they’re bored, you’ll feel like it’s completely your fault. Short periods of silence can feel like they’re stretching on forever and make you want to run away. As nerve-racking as groups can be, sometimes one-on-one conversations are worse.

When going to a new restaurant or house, anxiety can set in. Since the environment is different than what you’re used to, you feel out of your element. There’s also the possibility that you’ll get lost on your way there or end up late. In order to get rid of some of your anxiety, try researching the street or building ahead of time. That way, you’ll know what general direction you’ll be heading toward.

People tend to get self-conscious when eating. They don’t want others to judge how much they’re eating or the way that they chew. Just remember that most people won’t notice or comment on whatever you do. When they have a plate in front of them, they’re more interested in eating themselves instead of examining how you chow down. So try not to worry.

Don’t be embarrassed of being embarrassed. Remember that everyone gets stressed out over different things and you have a right to feel the way that you do. Do you have anxiety over any of the things mentioned above? How do you deal with it?