Learn to face your fears.

Putting yourself in a social situation forces you to deal with your anxiety and allows you to find ways to cope with your fears.

• For example, consider doing some volunteer work. Although you’d be working side-by-side with strangers, they’d be like-minded individuals with a common goal. This would make it easier to interact with them.

Look on the bright side.

Try to see the good in every situation you face. If you're in a social situation that you're afraid of, face your fears head-on. Chances are that you can find something about the situation that makes you smile. Once you get into the swing of things, your fears will shrink.