Using Social and Empathic Circuits to Overcome Social Anxiety

The podcast discusses how social anxiety can be short-circuited by tapping into natural social and empathic circuits. Animals, despite lacking advanced communication tools, can effectively overcome social anxiety by using social and pathic circuitry and paying attention to body language and tone. However, in today's world, people heavily rely on analysis, reassurance, and internet research to resolve social anxiety, which hinders the use of these circuits. To disable social anxiety, individuals are encouraged to stand up straight, roll their shoulders back, and breathe slowly with a focus on slow exhalation to physiologically reduce panic-inducing adrenaline. Making brief eye contact with others helps activate the visual association cortex, which enables feelings of reassurance. Finally, flashing a smile for a second or two triggers empathic mirroring and relaxes the visual association cortex, further easing social anxiety.