Stress in Social Settings

Medium

Have you ever been at a party swarming with people yet you feel completely and utterly alone? Does not knowing what to say in a conversation get you jittery? From giving a presentation in school to meeting new people, social stress can invade your senses. 

Social stress is a type of stress that happens when interacting with other people. Multiple factors can contribute to this, including feeling judged, out of place, unsafe, or overwhelmed. It's important to know that this is normal. Most people have and will experience social stress sometime in their lives. 

Our brains are wired to respond to threats, both real and perceived. For example, when you see a person with an axe running towards you, you unconsciously either run away or fight. Another example of this innate mechanism is when you're talking to a group of people you don't exactly gel with. You unconsciously want to leave the premises. When we feel threatened, our brains release stress hormones, which can lead to a number of physical and emotional changes, such as increased heart rate, sweating, and muscle tension.

Our brains also play a huge role in how we perceive our social settings. If we have a negative view of ourselves or others, we are more likely to perceive social situations as threatening. (This is why we always try and be positive about ourselves. You're your own best wing person!) This can lead to a vicious cycle, where our negative thoughts and beliefs about ourselves and others lead to increased social stress, which in turn reinforces our negative thoughts and beliefs. 

The good thing about social stress is that we can manage it. There are a number of things that we can do to manage social stress, such as:

Identifying your triggers. Once you know what gets you stressed, you can start to develop strategies for coping with the stressors.

Building your social support network. Spending time with people who make you feel good about yourself and who you can be yourself around is life-changing. It can also help you get less stressed in other situations.

Practicing relaxation techniques. Being mindful, doing deep breathing, and meditation can help to reduce the physical and emotional effects of stress. 

Challenging your negative thoughts. Often, we don't have any factual evidence behind our negative thoughts. Thinking through your thoughts with a defiant mind can make the negativity melt away. 

Being patient. It takes time to learn how to manage social stress. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately. 

Remember, you are not alone. Many people experience social stress, but it is manageable. By following these tips, you can reduce the negative impact of social stress on your life and enjoy a happier, healthier future.