Public Speaking Calming Your Anxiety

The first thing you must do is acknowledge that this fear is perfectly normal and you are not alone. According to the Book of Lists public speaking is the greatest of all fears. The first thing you must do is acknowledge that this fear is perfectly normal and you are not alone. According to the Book of Lists public speaking is the greatest of all fears.

Signs of Anxiety Sweaty palms Nausea Rapid heart beat Shortness of breath Chest pains Tingling or numbness Sweaty palms Nausea Rapid heart beat Shortness of breath Chest pains Tingling or numbness

Relaxation Techniques Practice deep breathing Before a speech, tape record or video tape your practices Visualization Positive Self Talk Warm-up Routines Practice deep breathing Before a speech, tape record or video tape your practices Visualization Positive Self Talk Warm-up Routines

Techniques for Nervousness Physical: – Walk around; stand; don’t sit with legs crossed – Let your arms dangle at your sides – Shake your fingers – Wriggle your jaw back & forth gently to help loosen up facial muscles – Scrunch your toes – Yawn – Deep breathing Physical: – Walk around; stand; don’t sit with legs crossed – Let your arms dangle at your sides – Shake your fingers – Wriggle your jaw back & forth gently to help loosen up facial muscles – Scrunch your toes – Yawn – Deep breathing

Mental: – REHEARSE! The more your practice, the less nervous you will be. – Ignore it. Do not call attention to your nervousness by wiping your hands or forehead. – Use visualization – Speak slowly – Be enthusiastic – Focus on your message, not your nervousness Mental: – REHEARSE! The more your practice, the less nervous you will be. – Ignore it. Do not call attention to your nervousness by wiping your hands or forehead. – Use visualization – Speak slowly – Be enthusiastic – Focus on your message, not your nervousness

Top Ten Tips Get ready: Prior Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance Think on the bright side Be aware of your speaking environment Know your listeners Warm-up Realize people want you to succeed Get ready: Prior Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance Think on the bright side Be aware of your speaking environment Know your listeners Warm-up Realize people want you to succeed

Don’t apologize for being nervous Concentrate on your message Control jitters constructively – Move as you talk – Use gestures Gain Experience Don’t apologize for being nervous Concentrate on your message Control jitters constructively – Move as you talk – Use gestures Gain Experience