July 12, 2026

1262: Classic ACP Listener Q And A: How To Relax In A Social Situation

1262: Classic ACP Listener Q And A: How To Relax In A Social Situation
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Today's episode we have a listener question from the Send Voicemail Tab on our website. Kellie asks about how to deal with building anxiety when in a social setting.


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Learn more about anxiety What is anxiety?


Free Guided Meditation for Calming Your Anxious Mind 10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for Anxiety


Quote:


We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.


-Marcel Proust


Chapters

0:27 SpeakPipe Question

3:31 Social Anxiety Tools

7:22 Relax the Body

12:46 Stop Adding Fuel

16:20 Shake It Out

19:06 Proust’s Wisdom


Summary

In this episode, we speak about a listener question from Kelly, who describes living with long-term anxiety that has affected work, driving, being alone, and social situations. We focus on what to do when anxiety rises in the middle of everyday settings where it is not practical to step away and process it privately.


We explain that the main practice is to prepare in quieter moments, especially during meditation or other practice time, so acceptance and “floating” become more familiar. When anxiety shows up in the moment, we suggest noticing the body’s signals and using physical relaxation as a cue of safety.


We describe simple techniques such as tensing and releasing muscles, relaxing the shoulders, jaw, hands, feet, and legs, and using small movements or shaking out tension when appropriate. The point is to send the brain a message that there is no immediate danger, rather than trying to force away thoughts.


We also address the tendency to add a second layer of distress by worrying about how we look, whether others notice, or whether we can get through the situation. We encourage noticing that extra self-criticism and not feeding it, since that can intensify the anxiety.


Finally, we emphasize that repeated practice makes these responses easier to access in daily life. The episode closes with a quote about discovering wisdom through our own journey.


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Be Well and Aloha!
Gina🌺