- Dr. Anjana Maitra
Shyness is a human quality that everybody feels at some point of time in their lives.
Shyness reveals itself in various ways - dry mouth, shaking hands, sweaty palms, loss of words etc.
Where does shyness come from? In some cases, genes contribute. Parents of shy children are often shy themselves. The social environment or certain incidents of our early life also make us shy. For example, if you are a sensitive child and your teacher ridicules you for giving a wrong answer in the class, you may not raise your hand to give an answer in future.
At the root of shyness is self-doubt, leading to self-defeat. Professionally we are afraid to express our needs and goals to our superiors. Socially, we are unable to go forward and say "hello" and we by-pass the opportunity of meeting an important person.
More often than not, we feel that everyone's eyes are looking at us, each of our smallest actions are being minutely observed and that our manner or gestures are under a searching look. As a result we stop going out, avoid mixing with people, do not take the initiative to introduce ourselves at a social gathering, expressing our views and so on.
How, then, can we fight against shyness? A few tips given below will help you to overcome shyness and face the world bravely.
