We will all be introduced to high energy, embaressing, or scarey moments were coming out on top is the best option. This could be a speech in front of students, going your brothers bachelor’s party, or having to perform in front of family. Unless you are competing you will know someone in the audience watching you: a classmate, a friend, or a family member. You must use them as your calm source, the only way to pull yourself together before you go on stage.
Stage frieght, the number one scariest thing for people to do. This is worse than death for many people around the world. Do not feel like you are the only one who has pissed his pants before making a speech or performing in front of thousands, hundreds, or just 3. Each time we put our bodies through a uncontrollable emotional state, a storm, an adreline rush we build our character and become stronger. We have this in the past and know we were able to complete the needed task. If it comes to life or death, knowing we have done it, you will hopefully chose life and perform again.
This post is supposed to help performance anxiety, through calming yourself before your storm.
First: Breathing.
The best way to physically calm your body is the lower your heart rate, and slow your blood flow. You want your body to relax, loosen your muscles so you will not sweat and get a heart attack before you say anything. This will seem simple, but 3-10 long breathes last 5 seconds per breath, in for 5 and out for 5. Do this three to ten times to start the relaxation process.
Second: Imagery.
While you are breathing, you want to close your eyes and take yourself out of the place you are. Image a fun or comfortable place you know. I always pick me childhood bedroom, where I would always have the best dreams and wake up my puppy at the time. The eyes and look on my puppies face always brought a smile to my face. But take your mind out of the dark backstage, in front of the class room, or in the car about to go to a strip club, you will be put yourself someone else were there is no stress.
Third: Inner Storm.
This third part may seem con-intuitive but if you create your own energy and not have your energy forced on you be uncontrollable emotions you will not be nervous. Before you performing after you have relaxed yourself you want to pump yourself up. Do some jumping jacks, focus on exercise for a few minutes to get your blood pumping again. If you control why your body is getting excited then you will not be nervous, you will be excited. Excited is much better than nervous.
Four: Eyes.
Walk out on stage open your eyes and begin immediately if you can. You do not want your stage to freight you, you want to start as soon as you see them, and if possible begin as you come out so you won’t get syked out. If you can not start right away, before you speak close your eyes take 3 deep breaths and on the third began speaking and then open your eyes. You want to start what you are doing when you are calm.
Good Luck! Hope these tips help.
