| The answer in a nutshell is simply yes. Exercise can | | | | "run into them" somewhere in your community or meet |
| reduce social anxiety and alleviate shyness. If this | | | | up with them making you feel less lonely and shy. Shy |
| seems a bit farfetched to you, it is important that you | | | | people generally benefit from having as many friends |
| read this enlightening article to see how exercise could | | | | as possible since their social anxiety is mainly triggered |
| be the miracle cure that could help you kiss your | | | | by strangers or unfamiliar situations. If competition or |
| shyness goodbye. | | | | team sports are not your thing, exercise still has |
| Exercise functions through a variety of mechanism. | | | | something to offer! |
| For starters, the immediate boost of endorphins, the | | | | If you join your local gym, YMCA or YWCA, or even |
| feel-good hormone that your body naturally produces, | | | | jog regularly in the local park, you are bound to make |
| can cause a modest increase in happiness and | | | | some exercise buddies. A few polite smiles here and |
| self-esteem. When you feel better about yourself, you | | | | there to people that you repeatedly encounter when |
| are more likely to meet the world with a smile and with | | | | you go on your morning walk could develop into |
| a lot less anxiety. This effect is also related to the | | | | friendships when given a chance. In essence, you |
| well-known, popular, stress –relieving effect of | | | | should use exercise as an opportunity to overcome |
| exercise. When you are less stressed you experience | | | | your shyness—try not to buy a treadmill, and make |
| less anxiety, even in social situations. | | | | your exercise sessions a socially isolating experience. |
| Another, not-so-direct, way that exercise could reduce | | | | Last but not least, regular exercise will do wonders to |
| your shyness and social anxiety is through making | | | | your shape. A thinner waistline and more toned |
| more friends. If you choose a team, or even a | | | | muscles can sometimes can a significant boost in |
| competition, sport that you used to play and enjoy as | | | | self-esteem. This newly found confidence usually helps |
| a child you are very likely to make friends with people | | | | shy and socially anxious people be more daring and |
| you play with. And even having a few casual | | | | adventurous in their social feats. And more going out |
| acquaintances will help you relax whenever you | | | | means making more friends and consequently being |
| experience a bout of shyness: you are more likely to | | | | less shy. |