We all have to perform in front of people at different times in our lives. Whether you are in the public eye or not, this can be a daunting task. In fact, it’s such a common phobia that it’s been given a name; Glossophobia. For those in leadership, addressing groups is a common task to be called to (and not always to deliver good news). Recently, Gretchen Rubin (of The Four Tendencies fame) and her podcast partner Elizabeth Craft released an episode about their own strategies to overcome stage fright and performance anxiety.
In this episode, Gretchen and Elizabeth both share tips and tricks to how they best addressed their own difficulties with public speaking after their most recent tour. Some examples include:
Take a beta blocker! This can help if the public speaker is prone to shaking hands and a shaking voice. These work by blocking the beta receptors in your body that cause symptoms of anxiety. In fact, many surgeons take them prior to major operations to calm their nerves and have a successful procedure.
Hold something in your hand. A pen, a cold water bottle, a mic, etc. Whatever it is, these can also help the shaky hands symptom of anxiety.
Do 10 jumping jacks before your presentation/performance. A good cardio blast helps our bodies and minds to focus on our breath instead of our nerves. The anxious symptom of a racing heart beat will start to slow, and a good amount of blood will flow to the brain. Just watch out for sweating!
Wear comfortable shoes. If you’re someone who doesn’t often wear heels, don’t choose your performance as a place to start doing so. Loads of people feel dizzy during or leading up to a presentation, and feeling off-balance due to your choice of footwear will only make it worse.
Check out the full episode here, and be ready to take good notes. It is chock full of helpful information for those who have speaking engagements coming up!