The tips I want to use to overcome stage fright

Hello there! As we all know, stage fright is a common feeling that many people have during public speech. However, there are some ways that can help us to calm down and become confident. Today I would like to tell you about how I try to cope with the fear of talking in front of the audience. I will pick up three methods from the book that are the most suitable for me and give some comments about them.

Take deep breaths, from the diaphragm. Regulating the breath cycle is the most accessible technique for changing the body’s kinesthetic state. Other techniques include meditation, trance inducement, alternate nostril breathing and other yoga exercises. As you force yourself to take a deep breath, the oxygen/ carbon dioxide balance is restored, and the body interprets the big sigh as an “all clear” signal. As the stress levels begin to decline, so will the rest of the symptoms.

I think breathing exercises are the best thing that help to stop nervousness. They do not take much time and one can do them even right before a performance. But it is important to do breathing exercises well.

Make yourself laugh. Making yourself laugh, whether you meant to or not, will nearly always help you relax. The more enjoyment you are feeling, the easier it is to think with your cortex instead of reacting with your adrenal glands.

Another great a piece of advice! When we laugh our body produces endorphins. We feel happier and our anxiety goes away. I will try it out certainly.

Associate speaking with fun. Practice your speeches in pleasant surroundings. At least during the rehearsal, get relaxed and have fun. Teach your brain to associate “talking with people” to having a party with friends.

Usually it is hard for me to not to panic when I see a lot of people who stare at me and wait for me to say something. Thus, I think this technique can help because everyone tends to trust their close friends. I feel safe when I am around them so I am not embarrassed to express my thoughts, share ideas with them. It gets much easier if you imagine that all the people from the audience are your friends. Besides, it is possible to rehearse speeches in front of somebody who is ready to listen to you. Practice makes perfect!

That is it for this post! What about you? What methods do you use to calm yourself down? Leave some comments down below!

Источник: Уроки ораторского мастерства: учебно-методическое пособие / С.П. Хорошилова; Мин-во образования и науки РФ, Новосиб. гос. пед. ун-т. - Новосибирск: Изд-во НГПУ, 2014. - 138с. [с. 118 -121]