TL;DR Most of us don’t really outgrow our social anxiety. It’s a challenge to overcome but there are practical steps you can take to proactively become more comfortable in a crowd. It’s not going to happen overnight but with persistence and the right mindset, you’ll become more confident whether it is standing in a big crowd or meeting new people. 

It is hard to avoid a crowd, especially when you are living in a big city or an urban area. There are parties and gatherings all over the place where you are expected to be social and talk to people you don’t know. While some are delighted with that setting, not everyone is comfortable being surrounded by people they don’t know.

Social anxiety is a common problem among people. It is a fear of social situations; it is more than shyness; it is a fear of being in a crowd and being social with people that might affect your relationship with people, your self-confidence, and your everyday activities.

For some people, as they grow older, it becomes better. But what happens if you don’t overcome that anxiety in adulthood? Here are some tips to help you be comfortable in a crowd.

Prepare Yourself

When attending a gathering for work or pleasure, research things that might strike up a conversation with the people attending. You don’t need to do extensive work to know the details; a simple piece of information might start a conversation with people in the gathering. It will help you with your anxiety and build your confidence, knowing that you can handle a conversation.

You don’t need to stand out from the crowd; all you need to do is blend in and be as comfortable as you can be. Aside from researching any topics that might strike a conversation, you can picture yourself beforehand in a crowd, calm and collected. It will help you familiarize yourself with the crowd, which can lead to less anxiety. Visualizing is one of the ways to prepare yourself for any situation.

Don’t Overthink Things

Anxiety can affect your well-being; it can cause you to think negatively about the situation and yourself. Before going out to a crowd, you might be very anxious, not knowing what will happen, surrounded by people you don’t know, and more likely, thinking about the things that might go wrong.

Well, stop. Overthinking things will not help you at all, and more often than not, they will not happen. We create scenarios in our heads, and we get so caught up in them that we get anxious. Be present with what is happening around you; live in the moment. This will help you get rid of your anxiety and enjoy the moment with the crowd. It may not be easy at first but try to challenge yourself not to overthink things. It is a better step forward in dealing with social anxiety. 

Feel Your Best and Appear Confident

People will always notice how you carry yourself in the crowd. The way you dress, the way you walk, and even the way you stand up with your posture. Appearance is a great factor in showing confidence. People don’t know what you are thinking; you might be feeling anxious inside, but having the appearance of being confident on the outside will do wonders when you are in a crowd.

You don’t need to stand out with what you look like when you are in a crowd; you just need to blend in and be yourself. I know that being surrounded by people that you don’t know makes you anxious, but if you enjoy the moment, this will lessen your anxiety and worries. As the saying goes, when you look good, you feel good.

Manners Go a Long Way

Having manners can help you in any situation, after all, it is what makes people comfortable around you. Even when you don’t like to mingle, having manners will always help you in any social interaction. Giving the proper response and being attentive to whoever you are talking to is a sure way to get their respect. 

Manners will help you come off as friendly and polite. And when you have broken the ice, it will ensure that you won’t start on the wrong foot. It will help you to be more comfortable talking to other people in the crowd and enjoy the moment.

Key Takeaways: Tips on How You Can Become More Comfortable in a Crowd

Being in a crowd is a challenge for some of us; it may take courage and determination to even join a gathering. But don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone; as we live, we will be challenged by everyday things.

We have heard countless presenters and experts say that they can’t imagine themselves being in front of a crowd and speaking, but it all changed when they took that leap of faith. It might not be the same situation for you, but sometimes we all have to have the confidence to take that leap of faith ourselves. It may take a while, but being able to stand in a crowd or even present something in front of a group of people is already an achievement for some who are socially anxious.

Please remember that this is general advice. If you would like more evidence-based techniques to help with overcoming social anxiety, book your free consultation with Dr Krysti (Lan Chi) Vo today. If you have any questions, feel free to send a message.