Alternatives to a "smoke break"?
Hello,
I couldn't find a good way to word this so please forgive me for that.
One of the only times I have been ever envious of smokers is that it has become socially acceptable for them to leave a situation for a bit to go outside for a smoke break. ( granted, this actually sucks for alot of people, especially in winter). I have really bad social anxiety, so sometimes I just want to take a break for 5-10 mins from a gathering or a social event just to not feel overwhelmed. However, when I do this, even if I come back and I feel fine, it makes other people really uncomfortable. I get comments about it from family members.
Other than hiding in the bathroom, is there a legitimate way to fake an excuse to take a quick break from mandatory socializing that wont make other people suspicious?
@JessieKat
I understand the desire for a short term fix... so...
I tried to find some "temporary escape ideas" for you...
but... everything I read... kept saying... that wasn't a good long term strategy...
This resource says it might be better to use another strategy...
TL/DR... it says...
"In the short term, fleeing situations and people that provoke anxiety works to keep the heart rate low and steady, ... But in the long run, this tactic only increases the unaddressed anxiety.
A better solution, ... is finding ways to tolerate, rather than flee, the painful emotion. Psychotherapy — especially cognitive behavioral therapy sessions, which involve examining one's self-limiting thoughts, worrisome feelings and how they are connected to avoidance behaviors — can be a good, safe place to practice facing fears."
Here are other ideas...
https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/tips-for-living-with-social-anxiety#
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/tips-for-social-anxiety_n_5a832a7be4b0adbaf3d8056c
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326211
Dropping safety behaviors can... help improve how others see you too...
Please forgive any typos above.
@JessieKat
Oof, I can sympathize! Since I quit smoking I feel a lot more awkward, in the past I at least could just light up cigs and it kind of kept my mind of things, now I don't have that luxury (though the trade-off in health is more than worth it).
As for things to do: I'm not sure. I can kinda see people raising an eyebrow if you dissapear for short spades, but on the other hand I think it is really good reason to get away if you feel you need to. I think most people with SA secretly want to it's just hard for the reason you describe. For me I just kinda zone out when I need to get away, like I'm sometimes talkative and other times I just involve myself in a convo a lot less to keep my own space more. Maybe that'll help?
Either way I totally sympathize, people are fun but yeah I do feel you when you say you just want to escape every now and then lol
