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There are many causes for being socially awkward, it could be that you’re an: introvert, a late bloomer, or perhaps you suffer from a mental health condition such as social anxiety. Being socially awkward manifests in many ways even at times when you are around people you have known for a long time, making being socially awkward a complex condition in its own right. It is possible to manage and slowly change social reactions, as depending on its form it’s usually a behavioral habit that stems from self-belief, self-esteem issues, and traumas. Knowing the root cause and being aware is a great starting point for combating being socially awkward.

Socially awkwardness appears as not finding it easy to speak and relate with others. You may come across as nervous, shaken, scared, unreliable, and even aloof or dissociative, these traits make living socially reclusive no easy feat! In a world filled with ‘normal people’ who can easily mask their feelings and thoughts, seemingly appearing to be confident and unshaken at all times. For people with social anxiety, trying to match what society deems as confidence can definitely worsen their symptoms.

The symptoms are non-exhaustive as social behavior is complex, though it’s also best to understand that not all socially awkward behavior is seen as strange, in some cases it is looked fondly upon in social circles that require and embrace its traits. Community spaces such as creative spaces and careers tend to look for socially awkward traits in people as creatives tend to be expressive and accepting of others, these qualities present as the term ‘quirky’ a quality that enriches the creative culture and is found in both creatives and individuals who have socially awkward behavior. However, it’s best understood that being socially awkward does not stop once you have found a community that accepts your traits, looking within and coping with your personality is where the true healing starts.

If you suffer from being socially awkward and would like to manage or find happiness in being yourself here are ‘10 tips on how to combat being socially awkward’ positively:

1. Accept yourself: Recognise that everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and it’s okay to have some social awkwardness. Accept yourself for who you are, and focus on your positive qualities.

2. Practice self-awareness: Pay attention to your thoughts, emotions, and body language in social situations. This self-awareness can help you identify any patterns or triggers that contribute to your social awkwardness.

3. Set realistic expectations: Understand that not every interaction will be perfect, and that’s okay. Avoid putting too much pressure on yourself to be flawless in social situations. Instead, focus on making genuine connections and enjoying the experience.

4. Learn social cues: Study and practice observing social cues such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. Understanding these nonverbal signals can help you gauge others’ reactions and adjust your own behavior accordingly.

5. Start small: Begin by practicing social skills in low-stakes situations. Engage in small talk with cashiers, ask a colleague about their weekend, or join a club or group activity that aligns with your interests. Gradually increase the complexity of social interactions as you gain confidence.

6. Listen actively: When engaging in conversations, listen attentively to others and show genuine interest in what they have to say. Avoid overthinking or focusing too much on yourself. Asking open-ended questions and actively listening can help you maintain engaging conversations.

7. Practice empathy: Try to understand and empathize with others’ perspectives. Showing empathy can foster connections and make social interactions more meaningful. Put yourself in others’ shoes and be kind and compassionate.

8. Develop social skills: Take time to improve your social skills through reading books, watching videos, or even taking a course on communication or social dynamics. Practice different social scenarios and work on specific skills, such as maintaining eye contact, active listening, or initiating conversations.

9. Build confidence: Engage in activities that boost your confidence and self-esteem. Exercise regularly, pursue hobbies you enjoy, and set achievable goals. The more confident you feel in general, the easier it will be to navigate social situations.

10. Seek support: If social anxiety or awkwardness significantly affects your daily life, consider seeking support from a mental health professional. They can provide guidance, techniques, and support tailored to your specific needs.

Remember, overcoming social awkwardness takes time and practice. Be patient with yourself and celebrate small victories along the way. With persistence and effort, you can improve your social skills and feel more comfortable in social settings

Ever seen a fit friend wearing a blood sugar patch and thought, “Wait, they’re not diabetic…?” You’re not alone. Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) are breaking out of diabetes management and becoming the latest wellness gadget for everyone. Why? Because even if you don’t have diabetes, your glucose levels can swing more than you’d guess. In fact, one study found about 24% of healthy people had big blood sugar spikes that briefly put them in the pre-diabetic range ​peterattiamd.com. Translation: you could be riding a glucose rollercoaster without knowing it. Monitoring those ups and downs in real-time can help you spot which foods or habits send you on a wild ride. Critics note there’s not yet hard proof of long-term benefits ​health.harvard.edu, but early adopters (and some researchers) say real-time glucose feedback is a game-changer for fine-tuning diet and lifestyle. Let’s dive into how CGMs might boost your brain, sleep, and metabolism – all while keeping it simple and sane.

Glucose variability can happen even in non-diabetics. The orange line shows a “high variability” day with big spikes, while the yellow line is a steadier “stable” day. Keeping your glucose curve gentler may benefit your health in surprising ways.​peterattiamd.com​peterattiamd.com

Brain Health and Steady Focus

Ever get hangry or foggy-headed after a sugar crash? There’s a reason. Our brains run on glucose, and they like it delivered at a steady pace. Big spikes and crashes can leave you feeling irritable, anxious, or unable to concentrate​ healthline.com. Moreover, emerging research suggests that blood sugar swings might correspond to dips in cognitive performance. In one project, scientists monitored people’s glucose and thinking in real time; they found that when glucose zig-zagged, attention and memory tended to slip a bit.

On the flip side, maintaining stable glucose is like giving your brain a smooth, premium fuel. For example, if your CGM shows that a mid-morning muffin makes your blood sugar soar then crash, you can swap it for almonds and see a gentler curve – and likely a sharper mind before lunch. In fact, when CGM users noticed a glucose spike and took a quick walk, nearly half reported better energy and focus afterward. That extra stroll doesn’t just curb the spike; it also boosts blood flow, which can improve brain function and mood. Over time, learning your personal glucose patterns can help you avoid the food comas and mood dips that come with blood sugar chaos. The result? A more alert, balanced you, powered by a happy brain.

Stable blood sugar = sharper brain? This playful bar graph shows cognitive test scores (higher is better) on days with steady glucose (yellow) vs. wild swings (orange). Stable days tend to correlate with better attention, memory, and reaction time. Keeping your glucose in check may help you feel more clear-headed.

Sleep Quality and Blood Sugar Swings

Meanwhile, let’s talk about sleep – your nightly reset. If you’ve ever woken up at 3 AM after a late-night ice cream, that’s your blood sugar yelling at you. Poor sleep and glucose swings form a vicious cycle. Research shows that consistently short or late sleep is linked to worse blood sugar control, even in healthy adults. In a recent study, people who slept less or went to bed very late had higher glucose levels and more instability the next day. In other words, burning the midnight oil could nudge you toward morning blood sugar spikes, which nobody wants.

The good news: a CGM can help you break the cycle. By monitoring your nighttime glucose, you might discover that a lighter, low-sugar dinner keeps your levels smooth until morning (hello, restful sleep!). One study noted that when folks kept their bedtime blood sugar lower, they slept better – and as a bonus, they had gentler glucose responses after breakfast. Moreover, high blood sugar at night can mess with hormones that regulate sleep, so keeping things steady sets you up for quality zzz’s. It works both ways: better sleep also leads to more stable glucose the next day. So, if you see your CGM spike at 10 PM, you’ll know why you’re tossing and turning. Taming that late-night snack habit could score you deeper sleep and steadier mornings. Win-win!

Ever notice worse blood sugar after a bad night’s sleep? This chart illustrates the point: “Poor Sleep” (orange bar, <6 hours) was followed by a higher morning glucose spike, while “Good Sleep” (green bar, 7+ hours) kept things lower. Prioritizing sleep can lead to gentler blood sugar swings.

Psst… Ready to see your own glucose trends? If you’re curious what your blood sugar is up to 24/7, consider trying The Wellbeing Agent’s CGM Program. It’s a guided program to help you level up your wellness with real-time bio insights. (Yes, biohacking your way to better health is as cool as it sounds!)

Metabolism and Personal Nutrition

Now, let’s get to the core: metabolism. Even if you’re not diabetic, keeping your blood sugar stable can do wonders for your metabolic health. Spikes and crashes don’t just make you feel crappy in the moment – over time they can nudge you toward weight gain, inflammation, and even heart issues​ peterattiamd.com. Researchers have found that people with bigger post-meal glucose spikes had higher risks of cardiovascular problems down the road​peterattiamd.com. Importantly, it’s not just average blood sugar that matters, but how much it swings. Large glucose oscillations were more closely linked to these bad outcomes than slightly elevated steady levels​peterattiamd.com. In fact, bigger swings often go hand-in-hand with higher body weight and more hunger pangs later. (Ever notice how a pancake breakfast leaves you hungrier at lunch than an omelette does? Now you know why.)

By wearing a CGM, you get a front-row seat to your personal metabolism. You can experiment in real time: How high does that bowl of oatmeal spike you? Does adding berries or taking a 10-minute walk keep it flatter? This N-of-1 experimentation helps you tailor your diet to keep glucose in the “happy range.” Staying in that range more often (a concept called “Time in Range”) has been associated with better heart and vascular health, even for non-diabetics. Essentially, stable blood sugar means your body isn’t overreacting with insulin surges all the time, which can improve your insulin sensitivity long-term. Many CGM users report easier fat loss and fewer snack cravings once they smooth out the spikes – not magic, just biology responding to steadier fuel. And remember those hidden prediabetic-like spikes in “healthy” folks? Catching them early with a CGM gives you a chance to course-correct before a doctor ever utters the word “pre-diabetes.” Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to your metabolic future.

Good news: you can improve your metabolic health once you know what’s off. This simple bar graph shows a hypothetical “Metabolic Health Index” going from 65 (baseline) to 85 after making CGM-informed lifestyle tweaks. Fewer sugar spikes, smarter food choices, and better habits can translate into a big health upgrade.​ peterattiamd.com

Results Taken from Your Health, Your Data

In short, monitoring your glucose isn’t just for diabetics anymore. It can be an eye-opening tool for anyone looking to optimize their mind and body. By tracking your blood sugar in real time, you get personalized feedback on how your meals, workouts, stress, and sleep are affecting you. Instead of guessing, you’ve got hard data – and that means you can adjust and actually see the impact. It’s like having a little coach on your arm nudging you toward better choices (“psst, maybe skip that third donut…”). And you don’t have to wear a CGM forever to reap benefits; even a couple of weeks of insight can teach you lessons that stick.

For a quick primer on CGM tech, check out an explainer video about CGMs and how they work for anyone interested (yes, even non-diabetics can use them). Armed with understanding and your own stats, you can fine-tune your diet, sharpen your brain, sleep like a baby, and strengthen your metabolism. Who doesn’t want that?

Ready to take control of your glucose and upgrade your wellness? Explore The Wellbeing Agent’s Continuous Glucose Monitor Program to get your own CGM plus expert guidance. It’s time to turn those blood sugar curves into actionable insights – your brain, body, and future self will thank you!

Sources:

  • https://peterattiamd.com/cgm-in-non-diabetics/
  • https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-blood-sugar-monitoring-without-diabetes-worthwhile-202106112473
  • https://peterattiamd.com/cgm-in-non-diabetics/
  • https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/diabetes-mood-swings
  • https://peterattiamd.com/cgm-in-non-diabetics/