5. Prepare ahead

While burying our heads in the sand and trying to think of a valid excuse for just going straight home is tempting, it’s more emotionally mature to focus on how we’re going to cope with the inevitable.

“Plan small-talk topics or strategies to excuse yourself for breaks during overwhelming moments at gatherings,” suggests Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor. “Visualising the event can reduce uncertainty.”

6. Focus on small wins

Let’s face it: sometimes we can’t avoid that work event without causing ourselves more stress. In situations like this, try to break the event down into more manageable chunks.

“Set manageable goals, like staying for 30 minutes or talking to one person,” suggests chartered psychologist Dr Ravi Gill. “Pick a specific topic of conversation and celebrate your progress once you get home.”

7. Use self-help techniques.

“If you start to feel overwhelmed, it’s OK to find a quiet spot where you can calm yourself down,” says counselling psychologist Dr Chloe Bedford. “Get some air if you can. Sometimes using grounding techniques, such as counting all the red things in the room or pushing a small bouncy ball into the palm of your hand and focusing on that sensation can help you stay in the present moment.”

Finally, if it all gets too much, you can seek professional help. “If your social anxiety is particularly severe, seeking help from a therapist can provide invaluable support,” says Wells. “Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is often effective for social anxiety and can help you challenge negative thought patterns, build self-confidence and reduce avoidance behaviours.”

How to cope with social anxiety this Christmas, according to experts