Stage fright or fear of public speaking is a predominant problem among people from all sections of the society. Apparently, there are a number of people in this world who fear to speak in front of audiences more than they fear any natural calamity, theft, ghosts, kidnapping, and even death. But, over time, this fear may become more chronic and disruptive and can have an adverse impact on an individual’s professional as well as personal life.
Whether one is employed with an organization or runs a business, public speaking is an inevitable part of the trade to present an idea or close a deal. People struggling with public speaking feel very nervous when they have to face an audience. In fact, their first impulse is to avoid getting into such circumstances. The fear of speaking in the public induces acute anxiety and even panic attacks, which can result in visible symptoms such as abnormally high rate of sweating, palpitations and stomach cramps.
Controlling fear of public speaking
There are multiple things that a person can do in an effort to feel less afraid.
Here are a few tips that can help a person to face an audience and speak effectively:
Preparing well: One must never get complacent while addressing an audience. Preparing in advance can help a lot in combating last-minute anxieties and building confidence. One can also prepare a set of probable questions that an audience can put forth, to prevent on-the-spot confusions and panic.
Speaking from the heart: While speaking to the audience or team members, one must try to bring in the personal life experiences to inspire others. In addition, one should always refrain from using jargons and use simpler language.
Keeping an eye contact with audience: A lot of times, a speaker finds an escape route by concentrating only on the written material and not interacting with the audience. This is a recipe for disaster. In fact, it is very important to keep an eye contact with the audience, rather than focusing on one’s own thoughts or written notes, as it might help decrease speech anxiety to a great extent.
Focusing on the opening and closing: How a presenter gives an opening sets the tone for the rest of the speech. Likewise, how one chooses to end the session or speech marks the fate and effect of that session on the audience. Therefore, the opening and closing parts of the speeches must be powerful and practiced thoroughly.
Taking pauses: Taking a pause in between the flow of speech and presentation can help curb the resulting anxiety. Therefore, if one is getting worked up with passing minutes, one must slow down and take regular pauses to regain strength and command.
Deep breathing: Deep breathing can immensely help an individual to immediately bring down the stress levels. Deep breathing for a few minutes just before starting with the speech or presentation can help calm the nerves of an anxious person.
Not overthinking about the audience: Some speakers are very vulnerable. When they see blank stares or confused expressions from the audience, they immediately get demotivated which worsens the remaining part of the speech or presentation. One should, therefore, focus on the subject matter, present it in a simple yet lucid manner, welcome questions from the audience and maintain poise.
Road to recovery
Public speaking is an art and one can gain mastery over it by constant practice. But, there are people who just can’t get a grip on their anxieties, no matter how hard they try. In such a scenario, it is best to seek professional help before the anxiety develops into a chronic disorder.
If you or your loved one is dealing with anxiety disorders or any mental health issue, you can connect with the Anxiety Treatment Centers of California to know about various anxiety treatment centers in California. Call at our 24/7 helpline number 855-972-9459 or chat online with our certified representatives to learn about the best anxiety disorders treatment in California.