Published: 05 July 2022
By Matt Scerri (Copyright Secure Minds Psychology)
That dreaded office party is lurking on the horizon, and more recently, it’s constantly on your mind.
Perhaps you’ve been thinking of ways to get out of it and avoid attending. Or perhaps you have no choice in the matter, you must attend and the feeling of anxiety is really starting to creep in.
Office parties do not have to be dreadful experiences. On the contrary, with the right strategies you may even have an enjoyable time and grow closer to some of your colleagues.
Here are some tips to help you do just that.
TIPS TO HELP YOU OVERCOME YOUR OFFICE PARTY ANXIETY
TIP 1: Set Realistic Goals for yourself
Sometimes people have really high expectations over how they should come across at these types of social events. All this does is heighten your overall anxiety. Take a moment and ask yourself, what expectations do I have of myself at this party
Now, turn your high expectations off for a moment and ask yourself what would be an acceptable expectation for anyone attending an office party, including yourself? Perhaps it’s to have fun, and get to know someone better?
You don’t have to spend the entire night there. Perhaps it is sufficient for you to set a target of staying half the night and reviewing how you feel when you get to that point.
Similarly, you don’t need to be the most entertaining attendee and have witty quips at the ready, it may be sufficient for you to get to know one or two people a little bit better.
TIP 2: Get Ready for the Party
This tip takes into account things such as deciding what to wear and also what to bring. Equally important though is to try and relax yourself and your mind leading up to the party.
Enjoy a nice warm bath, play some soothing music, get immersed in your favourite book or hobby.
If you are uncertain what to say to people, remember that people rarely pass up an opportunity to talk about themselves. Think about what spark your curiosity about other people and prepare some questions you could ask beforehand to get people talking such as where they’re from, if they have any pets/children, any vacations planned, etc.
TIP 3: Accept your anxiety and Quell your Inner Critic.
It is important to remember that you are not the only one who will be experiencing anxiety at this event. In fact, it is likely that nearly everyone there will be feeling a little awkward.
This means that it is okay for you to feel uncomfortable and there is no need for you to feel ashamed or be hard on yourself. If you give yourself permission to feel this way, and the discomfort then does turn up, it won’t be as significant.
Now you can continue conversing with Sally from accounting without your anxiety getting out of control and feeling like you are failing to measure up to her in some way.
TIP 4: Don’t Avoid the party
Most people would think that the best way they can cope with their anxiety is to not go to the office party at all and put it off.
This is probably the worst thing you could do because all it serves to do is make the prospect of going the next time all the more terrifying.
By attending your office parties, you are not only reducing the amount of anxiety you will feel the next time but you are also becoming a braver person.
So, if attend the party and your anxiety does appear, give yourself a pat on the back you did not take the easy way out!
Now it’s time to get your groove on.
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?
If your still feeling anxious, talk to your GP about whether they can recommend a psychologist who can help you overcome your social anxiety and to help you feel more confident in social situations.