Sometimes we get phone calls from our friends or family asking us to go out somewhere or do something fun and we initially feel the rush of excitement and immediately say yes! A few hours later, as the event approaches, we find ourselves feeling in a less optimistic mood, and therefore less social. Perhaps at this point you reach back out and let the person know that you’re not gonna be able to make it.

Perhaps you immediately decline a request for a social outing because you aren’t “feeling up to it.”

We are, by nature, social creatures.

Start Saying Yes

There are many reasons why people say no. But the important idea here is that you learn to start saying yes. Even if you’re feeling anxious or depressed, studies have repeatedly found that getting out and socializing in these moments can significantly improve how you are feeling and increase your quality of life. You may very well forget that you were feeling sad or down. And the thing you were anxious about – it’s likely that once you get out there and start socializing, your anxiety is going to decrease, if not disappear.

Being social is one of the best things that we can do for ourselves. It is a very important aspect of being alive, which is why for most people when they do socialize, they walk away feeling happier, joyful, or content.

If there something that is getting in the way of you saying yes to socializing, and it’s not something as simple as just turning that no into a yes, there are also several therapies that can help. Working with a mental health professional can help you to understand your hesitancies about socializing and can teach you ways to move past those barriers to get back out there and be more connected to others.

WE CAN HELP