SHARED FROM
HOW
TO PREVENT STAGE FRIGHT
Talking is such an easy thing. Yet the prospect of doing it in front of an
audience can mute even the chattiest of Cathys.
Here’s how to prevent pesky stage fright:
1. Go pee
first
It makes a big difference in
reducing your stress, says Malcolm Kushner, author of Public Speaking For
Dummies.
2. Breathe
Practice slow, rhythmic breathing
beforehand to calm your nervous system and ground you, says Janet Esposito,
author of Getting Over Stage Fright.
3. Eat and
drink wisely
Avoid foods like milk, which
increases mucous, or coffee, which dries out your vocal chords and can leave
you feeling jittery, says Bill Cole, founder of the International Mental Game
Coaching Association. Instead, eat
easily digestible, lighter foods, and drink plenty of water.
4. Be prepared
Be overly familiar with what you're
going to say. The better you know your message, the less you'll worry about it.
5. Imagine the
worst
Spend a few minutes visualizing any
potential problems—getting tongue tied, bombing, showing up naked—and practice
your ideal responses, says Cole. You
plan and hope for the best, but this opens your eyes to potential bumps—and
gives you confidence to handle them.
6. Humanize the audience
Look at the audience as a bunch of
individuals—not an overwhelming group—who have their own fears, says Esposito.
7. Use your
fear
Learn to accept your anxiety rather
than fighting it—it will pass more quickly if you don’t focus on suppressing
it, says Esposito. You can also channel
that anxiety into a more animated voice and gestures.
8. Be nice
Use positive, encouraging self-talk
and stay away from anything that fuels fear and self-doubt, says Esposito.
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