I suffer from social anxiety (among other things) and normally don't like crowds

[Louisiana1976]

so I stay home a lot. However, I've several "safe places" including the library and Barnes & Noble. If you don't like crowds, what do you consider your safe places outside the home?

[EFerrari]

1. After I starting going out with my dog, I noticed that more and more places

became fine for me. I still don't wade into crowds if I can help it but there really isn't anywhere I can't go with my pup.

[david13]

7. Dogs are good therapy. They are also good for exercise. They

will take you for a walk twice a day. Don't neglect that. They need it, and so do you.
dc

[Forkboy]

2. Libraries are good for me, too.

I've always wanted to be trapped in one. :)

I also have no problems being in the middle of a moshpit, or even just the crowd, at shows I go to. I think it's because I know everyone there, no matter what the background, is there for a common purpose, to see a cool band.

Other than that I hate going almost everywhere.

[david13]

3. I don't like crowds. However, to cure myself, like learning to swim,

I make it a point to jump in there. Not the library, as I can't talk to anyone. (Shhh.)
Anyplace I go, I make it a point to start talking to the nearest person. It doesn't do anything for them, it's not for them, it's for me. A therapy.
Some respond, some don't.
Some enjoy it, some don't.
But it's something I have to do.
dc

[Left coast liberal]

4. Have you tried Neurofeedback? I have heard amazing...

...things about it for all sorts of anxiety disorders.

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-19093-Seattle-Special-Needs-Kids-Examiner~y2009m9d7-Neurofeedback-101-what-is-it

Best of luck!

[LiberalEsto]

5. Small UU congregation

I belong to a small, warm, friendly Unitarian Universalist congregation that seems like an extended family. UUs are extremely accepting of people with all kinds of backgrounds and issues.

[mdmc]

6. i love going to the local parks

or for a ride in the car..

When I used to have trouble sleeping I would drive around the city or go to the diner..

It always seemed to help..

[david13]

8. Parks, yes, I went to a number of them that were known as meeting

places. When I was in school, the place was the diag. People said, go to the diag, oh, you need to ... etc.
And it was a place where everyone had to pass, so it was possible to collar and talk to anyone. Many would not stop. Many would. Many others would sit there looking for someone to talk to the them.
Structured, but not structured, known, and open.
dc

[BuelahWitch]

9. I don't have a problem in crowds where I feel I have a "purpose"

Meaning I can go to lectures, or political rallies, places where I don't have to make small talk. But parties, bars, clubs and even restaurants in groups gives me horrible anxiety. Part of this might be because I am deaf in my right ear, and I can't follow the conversations easily. Then people think you are stupid if you ask them to repeat something they said, or don't understand what they said.
Theaters are a strange issue. If I can sit on the aisle seat, or somewhere where I can get up and leave quickly, I'm fine. But if I'm in the middle of a row I start to have a panic attack and have to leave. Experienced this the first time during a performance of My Fair Lady several years ago. Had to leave during the intermission.

But libraries and bookstores are always a safe haven for me as well.