Anxiety Tips for Speaking
Adults, polled about their fears, nearly always put public speaking at the top of the list, or in the top few. This means that many Americans fear addressing a crowd more than they fear death and airplane travel. And though commanding the attention of a room full of people seems overwhelming, there are things one can do to alleviate the pressure of public speaking.
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Deep, Cleansing Breaths
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Anxiety sometimes triggers quick, shallow breathing. This does little more than deprive the brain of precious oxygen --- and increase the "fish out of water" feeling. Before delivering a speech, it is beneficial to take deep breaths, with slow exhalations. In through the nose, hold a few seconds, out through the mouth. A few cleansing breaths can clear the head and provide needed relaxation.
Know the Subject Matter
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Forgetting topics or important points is one of the main triggers for anxiety. Forgetfulness typically leads to stammering, lengthy pauses, and unnecessary utterances like "um" and "uh." Go over notes and materials as many times as it takes beforehand to feel comfortable speaking on it.
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Practice Makes Perfect
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As important as knowing the material is getting a feel for how a speech will be delivered. Practicing at home embeds the content into the brain. The more a person practices a speech, the more automatic it becomes, and with familiarity comes comfort. It can sometimes help to give the speech before family members or a familiar, friendly audience. Invite listeners' critiques on your delivery.
Don't Vocalize the Anxiety
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When nerves kick in, some speakers feel compelled to apologize. This serves only to make the audience fully aware of your anxiety. Remember that the symptoms of anxiety are internal --- the audience can't see heart palpitations and butterflies in your stomach. If your hands shake, place them on the podium or at your side.
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References
- Photo Credit Lecturn image by TMLP from Fotolia.com
