Hi everyone,
Lately i've been feeling a crippling sense of what I think could be social anxiety or some branch of it. For example, the other day I went back to the gym as it reopened after being closed due to COVID. I know most of the staff there and I'm an avid gym goer, so the gym environment has always been a comfortable space for me. However, I was somewhat feeling a little nervous - maybe excited nerves? Anyway, as I got there, the gym owner and club manager were there as they usually are, and there's something about them that subconsciously makes me feel a little awkward or intimidated, however usually I never let it get to me and i'm friendly enough to carry conversation well. They greeted me and then had to take my temperature due to the new COVID regulations, and my temperature was over 37 degrees! They said they couldn't let me in until I cooled down a bit, so I stood there for a while as they chatted to me (I was already uncomfortable/embarrassed at this stage). After about 5 minutes, they took my temperature again and I was even hotter than before! I felt so embarrassed and awkward, and sat there and waited another 10 minutes on my own. I couldn't understand why I was getting so heated when talking to them, when usually I don't have trouble talking to people. The next day I was at the apple store, and the security guard pulled out a thermometer to take my temperature before I entered (which I wasn't expecting), and my heart skipped a beat and started pounding faster. It triggered the memory I had had the day before about the thermometer. A few days later, when I decided I would train again at the gym, I felt anxious all morning about it. I didn't want to see those workers again, let alone have my temperature taken again. As I approached reception, I felt jittery and nervous, but luckily my temperature was under 37 degrees this time. However, the the gym owner made a comment about how it had decreased from last time (which made me feel embarrassed) and he then started talking to me about my training - I could feel myself burning up as we chatted. When I looked at myself in the bathroom mirror after our chat I noticed bright red blotches on my neck! I usually get these temporary blotches when anxiety hits my body hard. What is happening to me?? I love my gym but now I get an anxious feeling about it due to this stupid experience 😞 Can anyone relate/give tips?
Much appreciated ❤️
