If you suffer with social anxiety, you will also suffer with insomnia and this sadly will heighten the problems that arise with anxiety.
Why?..
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Because it will cause trouble with falling and staying asleep.
Therefore, as a result, insomnia may cause you to get too little or have poor quality sleep.
Sadly, as a result of this you are unlikely to feel refreshed when you awake.
Increasing anxiety, depression, confidence and feeling unable to tackle even the most simple of tasks.
What are the effects on the mind because of insomnia or sleep deprivation? Lack of sleep causes the brain to become incapable of putting emotional events into any proper perspective and therefore incapable of making a controlled suitable response.
The volatility in moods increases, leading to dramatic "mood swings"; learning ability diminishes greatly; speech can become more difficult and leads to a "slurring" of words.
If insomnia or sleep deprivation continues for a significant period of time, it can progress to lethargy and an overall feeling of "cannot be bothered" and will develop into a steady decline in mental ability.
So, how is it possible to deal with, help and hopefully cure insomnia? I am not a lover of drugs, but realise that for many this could be the first port of call.
However, due to the side effects and possibly the high dependency rates on sleeping pills, Doctors recommend that people only use medicines for insomnia for a very limited time.
Therefore in my view, it is better to look at other ways to combat this problem instead of turning to drugs, that way you are not running into the dependency problems and possible very bad side effect risks.
Even if the medicines do work for you, it is only going to be for a very short period of time, as the prescription period will be limited and then you are basically back to square one.
The first place to start is with your existing lifestyle.
What can you change in your current lifestyle pattern that will help with insomnia, so that you can get sufficient sleep, awake refreshed and therefore have the energy to tackle the problems that arise with social anxiety? Cut out the stimulants consumption.
This is really about what you should not do.
The fact that alcohol, caffeine, tobacco and sugar are very powerful stimulants and therefore can almost 'supercharge' your system.
Obviously, this is not relaxing and should be dramatically reduced or better still stopped.
Especially later in the day when trying to relax before retiring for the night.
Look at exercises that you can comfortably do or take part in, that both you and your physical make up are comfortable with.
Remember, do not try and stress yourself, this should be fun so start off slowly and build up.
Look for an activity that you do or think you would enjoy, giving you both stimulation and the feeling that you have accomplished something.
How about looking at walking, hill walking or going for long walks in the countryside? Swimming, Tennis or Golf? Gym workouts or Yoga? Exercise, does not necessarily mean you have to associate with others if you don't want to.
Possibly the most important gain, is the mental as opposed to the physical gain.
That is an increase in your self esteem.
Exercise increases the blood flow, therefore the blood flow to your brain will increase allowing mood enhancing endorphins to be activated.
Generally, this allows a person to feel better about themselves, brighter and generally happier with the world.
Although these changes on their own are not necessarily sufficient to cure the problem.
They are a very good start and can be part of the overall process to help with the insomnia which in turn will help with the social anxiety.