Socialization plays an important role in maintaining physical health as well as mental health. However, socialization can be challenging for some people who have particular difficulty with meeting new people. In this post, we will discuss what shyness is, what we can do to overcome shyness, and what are benefits to overcoming shyness.
What Is Shyness?
Shyness is defined as a predisposition to be concerned about others’ social evaluation. This predisposition leads to being sensitive to rejection, avoiding any potential for criticism, and keeping a low profile from initiating actions that may call attention to themselves.
Shyness differs from social anxiety disorder and social anxiety by the intensity of stress one gets in a social situation. Social anxiety disorder is a mental health condition involving persistent fear of rejection and criticism from others in its most intense form. Social anxiety has less to the extent intensity but more than regular shyness.
Where Does Shyness Come From?
While some shy individuals may attribute their shyness to their natural predisposition, it may stem from a social environment. For example, living in a strict environment for orderliness and enforcing vertical relationships may lead to shaming those who do not follow conventional mannerisms, make mistakes, or defy orders from superiors. Or, an individual simply may not have had the opportunity to learn social skills because of their busy academic or career life.
Whether shyness comes from an innate tendency or is learned from the environment is unclear. Jerome Kagan, a Professor of Psychology at Harvard University, found that the tendency for shyness is an inherited biological trait that can be detected in infants at 4 months of age. Some argue both genetic inheritance and learning from the environment play partial roles.
Carl Jung, a founding figure of analytical psychology, is attributed to defining introversion and extroversion, characteristics incorporated in a widely popular metric called Myers-Briggs Type Indicator created by Isabel Briggs Myers. The description of introversion and extroversion has helped create a perception that both are healthy variations of personality styles.
What Can We Do About Shyness?
Even though being shy is nothing to be shy about, you may be interested in overcoming shyness. There are a few easy steps that you can take to face your shyness.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy. A study on group-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBGT) has shown short-to-medium-term efficacy for social anxiety disorder (SAD), anxiety, and depression. A study on internet-based CBT programs to address shyness program has shown to be cost-effective.
- Reduce alcohol intake. Some individuals may try to mask their shyness with the help of alcohol intoxication. However, a study has shown that individuals with alcohol use disorders (AUD) have a higher tendency to be shy during hangovers, which may lead to more alcohol use.
- Reduce adolescent caffeine consumption. A study has shown that caffeine consumption during adolescence increases the expression of mRNA in the amygdala, which may increase the likelihood of anxiety-related disorders through dysregulation of the neuroendocrine stress response system.
- Try a healthy diet. According to a systematic review study, there are benefits to taking probiotics for anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and memory disorders.
Summary
While it is okay to be shy, there are multiple ways that you can overcome your shyness. It takes an incremental effort to change, but little by bit, you can explore more social relationships and have higher self-confidence in interpersonal relationships by taking these measures.
This post was inspired by Health Life Guru and Health Tips Now. Please check them out!
Disclaimer: This web post is for information purposes. If you have medical needs, please contact your primary care physician.
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