As the year comes to an end, it’s time to take stock of how far we’ve come in the past 12 months, so it was wonderful to hear from psychotherapy website psychcentral.com this week that overcomingsocialanxiety.com has been awarded the Best of the Web Blog Award for our work over 2014!

This is no small feat because Psych Central is the oldest and largest online mental health resource with more than 22 years’ experience of reviewing online sites, receiving more than 7 million unique visitors each month from all over the world.

So to recognised by this website and be a blog awards 2014 winner is a real privilege.

Founder and CEO John Grohol said the award, which was chosen by readers and staff at the website, reflected “the excellence in regular writing of entries related to this mental health concern that we feel is consistent and worthy of people’s time”.

Among the top-10 blogs on anxiety which Psych Central picked out, Overcoming Social Anxiety received praise for “pioneering an online-based treatment” and for being a “well-illustrated and down-to-earth read, neatly written in a non-judgmental voice”.

To receive such an accolade is, of course, a nice pat on the back from your peers. But it’s also an indication of exactly how important it is to keep providing tips, advice, ideas and resources to help combat social anxiety and shyness in everyday life.

This time of year, of course, carries with it the added difficulties of Christmas social engagements, work parties, family gatherings and New Year’s celebrations.

Over the past 12 months this blog has offered solutions to dealing with social anxiety at work, parties and Christmas and offered tips on how to use mindfulness skills and spot avoidance behaviour, all of which can help you get through what’s commonly known as the “silly season”.

There will undoubtedly be occasions where the increased pressure to socialise and mix with people with whom you wouldn’t normally choose to spend time, and the constant reminders from television, the internet and shop-windows that we should all be enjoying ourselves, will create stress and be difficult for those who suffer from social anxiety.

So it’s important to address any situations where your social anxiety may arise and prepare well in advance; manage your expectations of what you want to achieve during this season; and try not to resort to alcohol to help in social situations. Here are some tips I put together last year for coping with the festive season.

In Summary

It has been a big 12 months for this website and it’s reassuring that our online method of dealing with social anxiety and shyness is making waves and winning awards. But it’s also reassuring that we are having results in treating social anxiety.

So take care this Christmas, and I look forward to providing more videos, tips, information and news on new treatment therapies in 2015.

All the best and seasons greetings! Kyle