INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Social anxiety disorder can cause you to think negative thoughts about yourself when faced with a social situation. You may think "I'll look like a fool" or "I'm going to humiliate myself." The first step to overcoming them is to identify the thoughts when they pop into you head. Knowing what is causing social phobia can help you overcome it. Stop yourself when you think these thoughts and say, "No, I will not look like a fool. I am strong and competent and I'm going to get through this." After you have confronted and identified the thoughts, analyze the fear. Try to overwrite the negative thoughts in your brain with positive, realistic ones. Ask yourself questions about your negative thoughts. For example, ask "Do I know I'm going to humiliate myself" or "How do I know I'm going to blow my presentation?" Then ask yourself, "Will it be the end of the world if I mess up?" The logical answers to the questions are: more than likely, you will not humiliate yourself or mess up. Even if you do mess up, you are human, as is everyone watching you. Even professionals mess up. One unhelpful thing people do when dealing with social fears is make false, unrealistic predictions about the social situation. You can't predict what will happen. If you try, you will only come up with the worst case scenario, which will not be close to a realistic reflection of the actual event. This only causes unnecessary anxiety.   Remember that you have the power to change your exaggerated thoughts. For example, if you're going to a wedding, focus on the fact that you won't be the center of attention. Visualize being at the wedding and speaking confidently to others and enjoying yourself. Often times social fears can be a result of thinking that everyone around you is passing judgment on you. If so, take a step back, and realize that most people aren't focused on you. If they are focused on you, they are not thinking the same negative thoughts as you are.  Don't try to read people's minds. You can't know what people are thinking. Plus, they do not see the same negative self that you see in your mind. Use social situations to practice changing negative thoughts about yourself, and practice stopping and altering your thoughts about judgement from others. You are not the only person that feels anxiety in social situations. Over 12% of the population has it, and that number is increasing.  Understanding this can help put you on the same level as everyone around you. You are not alone in your fears. Also, since everyone feels anxiety from time to time, remembering this can help you realize people won't criticize or judge you if they realize you are anxious. Overcoming your social anxiety won't happen overnight. It takes commitment and lots of practice. You are learning new behaviors, new patterns of thinking, and new social skills. This all takes practice. However, little by little, you will learn these new skills and start being able to overcome or manage your phobia. One of the ways to help reduce your anxiety is to take the focus off of yourself in social situations. Try to pay attention to your surroundings, the conversation, and connecting with the people around you.  Begin to understand that although you are focused with how others will think of you, everyone else is not as focused on you. If you say or do something embarrassing, others may not even notice. Or if they do, they will quickly forget it. Try to focus on other things when you notice your physical symptoms in social situations. You are not being as obvious as you think. It is very rare that others can notice physical symptoms of anxiety or even panic attacks. Instead notice your experience of the event, such as music you hear, how each bite of food tastes, or other entertainment such as art or dancing. Most people are just as nervous in social situations as you are. They are too busy focused on themselves.

SUMMARY: Confront your negative thoughts. Test the reality of your fear. Stop unrealistic predictions. Realize that not everyone is judging you. Understand that everyone feels anxiety. Understand overcoming this will take practice. Change your focus.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Like a collar, your puppy will likely have to get used to wearing a harness. But it can take more time for your puppy to get used to a harness than it did for her to get used to a collar. Some puppies recoil or struggle against the harness. So play with her and pet her for a few minutes before putting on the harness so she is a relaxed, comfortable state of mind. Dog owners have differing opinions on whether you should wait before attaching the harness on your pup or just secure it right away. Gauge your puppy’s reaction to the harness. If she recoils from it or struggles against it, pet her for a few seconds before securing the harness. But if she doesn’t seem to mind the harness, secure it right away. Don’t give her a treat if she recoils from the harness and you have to remove it. You only want to reward her if she consents to wearing the harness and is ready for a walk. This will help her get used to wearing it. Once your pup gets comfortable with the harness, she will look forward to her daily walk and you will look forward to not having to worry about her running off without you.

SUMMARY: Introduce the harness to your puppy after some playing and petting. Attach the harness right away or wait a few seconds before attaching it. Reward your puppy with a treat once the harness is secure. Let her wear the harness 5-10 minutes a day.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you want a look that’s easy to mix and match, go for dark colors and neutrals. Black, navy blue, charcoal gray, and dark brown are all great color options for thigh-high socks. These colors blend in and balance any outfit.  To add some color to your outfit, pair your neutral socks with a bright colored top or dress. Keep your entire outfit neutral by pairing charcoal gray socks with a black skirt or dress. If you’re not looking to blend in and want to stand out, choose colored socks. Bright shades like red, orange, and yellow are a great way to add a pop of color to an otherwise neutral outfit. Your socks can be one solid color or multi-color whichever you prefer.  Plan your outfit carefully if you choose bright-colored socks. Loud colors can easily clash with other items in your outfit, so choose colors that complement each other. Some fun and bold bright color combinations include red and blue, green and yellow, and orange and blue. Bright colored socks look great with a pair of denim shorts and a white t-shirt. If you want to add a sense of humor or fun to your outfit, look for socks with interesting patterns. Stripes, polka dots, and random prints can show off your personality and give you a unique look that no one else can match.  Pair your printed socks with your favorite sneakers for a quirky, yet casual look. Thigh-high socks with 3-4 horizontal stripes at the top are very popular and come in a variety of colors. Pair them with your favorite shorts for a youthful, flirty look. Neutral color socks can be a little more interesting with some textured details. Some interesting textures include sheer, fishnet, or even thick crochet cable socks. Textured socks are a great way to add a little edge without taking your look too far over-the-top.  For a casual look, consider ribbed or crocheted socks. Loose, scrunchy socks are also fairly casual, but they have an additional cute or youthful edge. For sultrier styles, consider choosing sheer thigh-high socks. Fishnet thigh-high socks are also available for a more edgy look.

SUMMARY:
Go for dark neutrals for a balanced and classic style. Choose a pair of bright colored socks for a bold look. Show off your personality with quirky designs and patterns. Opt for textured socks to add visual interest.