The first time you go to the club with your Uni mates can be overwhelming but it is 100 times worse when you don’t want to be there. For students who struggle with social anxiety, the very thought of spending the night in a room full of strangers is one they would rather avoid at all costs. However, while it may be preferable to spend the night at home watching Netflix, the time will most likely come when club nights are impossible to avoid. I’ve been in this exact position! Here are some of the ways in which you can make your nights out somewhat bearable.
Go With A Trustworthy Group of Friends
There is nothing worse than going to a club with ‘friends’ that are prone to leaving you the second somebody tries to flirt with them. Getting left by yourself in a place you are unfamiliar with can send anybody with social anxiety into panic mode. That’s why it is so important to go on nights out with friends that you know will be there to protect you. It’s best to go with someone who knows how anxious you can get and won’t get annoyed with you for being a bit more reserved when it comes to dancing with strangers.
Remember That You Don’t Have To Stay For The Whole Time
It can be rather daunting when you consider how long you are potentially going to be out for in a situation you don’t feel comfortable in. This can be even longer if you are going to pres before hand. Your friends will totally understand if you only stay for a couple of hours and will appreciate you turning up at all. If you do decide to leave early, make sure you are travelling back safely with someone you can trust. This point comes back to going with the right people who will look out for you on the night.
Plan Your Escape
This may sound pessimistic but it can be a lifesaver! When you arrive at the club or bar that you will be spending the night at, take time to scan the room and make a mental note of escape routes (how to leave the venue if it gets too much). Knowing where these points are can really help set your mind at ease, as you can reassure yourself that you aren’t trapped and can leave if needed. This is also useful if you need to take a breather for some fresh air during the night.
Make An Effort
Making an effort works both ways. You may expect your friends to look out for you and consider you anxiety when out, but it is also important to make some effort in return. This can be really difficult, especially if it is unnatural to you, but try to make at least some small talk as a bare minimum. Try to loosen up on the dance floor a little bit, no matter how much you might be internally dying at the thought of it. This ensures that everyone has the best time they possibly can without getting frustrated with each other.
Drink Water
While it may seem uncool to ask the bartender for a glass of water when your friends are all downing shots, it can really help in times of panic. When I’m on nights out I always feel really sick, but a sip or two of water helps cool and calm me down. There’s no denying that helping yourself to an alcoholic drink or two can loosen you up a bit. But I’ve found that having too much alcohol with anxiety does not bode well. It only puts my nerves more on edge than they were before…but maybe that’s just me!
When It’s Over, Get Some Rest
Nights out with social anxiety are very exhausting and mentally draining. Your mind has probably gone on overdrive all night so it is really important that you get some rest when you get home and have a good sleep to recuperate. Take some time for yourself before jumping straight into the next event that’s on tomorrow.
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