Saying no to invitations provides a temporary escape but is not the answer. Constantly avoiding social situations will spare you from worry, but you’ll miss out on the support and meaning that comes from having close relationships. Instead of shying away, consider doing something nice. Research published in the journal Motivation and Emotion found that acts of kindness can make socially anxious people less so. In the study, participants who actively and intentionally performed acts of kindness became less fearful and avoidant of social situations. Doing good deeds helped them override the fear of rejection and bolstered their social confidence.
These findings have application for you. RSVP to your next party invitation, and get busy performing small acts of kindness. Picking up a cup of coffee for a coworker, doing your roommate’s dishes, and donating to a charity are all examples. When you arrive at the cocktail party, lend your host a hand. Offer to replenish the platter of pigs in a blanket or put flowers in vases. Such impactful gestures can help you come out of your shell.
This story originally appeared in the April 2019 issue of Marie Claire.
READ THE FULL ISSUE HERE (opens in new tab)
MORE LIFE ADVICE
-
I Tested the Oura Ring Fitness Tracker Jennifer Aniston Loves—It Knew I Was Getting Sick Before I Did
Learn more about yourself by simply slipping on a ring.
By Brooke Knappenberger
-
Pearls Are Back for 2023—But These Aren't Your Grandmother's Pearls
Classic, contemporary, and everything in between.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
Meghan Markle Made $80K Per Year With The Tig, But Could Make Much More With a Relaunch: Branding Expert
It could be a smart business move for the duchess.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Senator Klobuchar: "Early Detection Saves Lives. It Saved Mine"
Senator and breast cancer survivor Amy Klobuchar is encouraging women not to put off preventative care any longer.
By Senator Amy Klobuchar
-
How Being a Plus-Size Nude Model Made Me Finally Love My Body
I'm plus size, but after I decided to pose nude for photos, I suddenly felt more body positive.
By Kelly Burch
-
I'm an Egg Donor. Why Was It So Difficult for Me to Tell People That?
Much like abortion, surrogacy, and IVF, becoming an egg donor was a reproductive choice that felt unfit for society’s standards of womanhood.
By Lauryn Chamberlain
-
The 20 Best Probiotics to Keep Your Gut in Check
Gut health = wealth.
By Julia Marzovilla
-
Simone Biles Is Out of the Team Final at the Tokyo Olympics
She withdrew from the event due to a medical issue, according to USA Gymnastics.
By Rachel Epstein
-
The Truth About Thigh Gaps
We're going to need you to stop right there.
By Kenny Thapoung
-
3 Women On What It’s Like Living With An “Invisible” Condition
Despite having no outward signs, they can be brutal on the body and the mind. Here’s how each woman deals with having illnesses others often don’t understand.
By Emily Shiffer
-
The High Price of Living With Chronic Pain
Three women open up about how their conditions impact their bodies—and their wallets.
By Alice Oglethorpe