Nervousness is natural...it is vital. If you aren't nervous, then it is evident that you do not care about the outcomes of the situation.
Stage Fright is a lasting symptom of the old flight or fight reaction. When we face stress, we react just as our caveman ancestors did when they faced a sabre-toothed tiger:
The body is flooded with adrenaline...to aid in flight or to allow a beserker rage.
If the stress is extreme...then the body begins to dump sweat, purges stomach contents, and dumps urine and fecal matter to make you as unappetizing a morsel as possible in the hopes that this predator wouldn't want to eat any more of your species. Most folks do this in combat...some do it in public speaking.
Most of this is purely psychological. We've had a bad experience and allowed it to snowball. We have programmed ourselves to have a bad experience...and this self-fulfilling prophecy always comes true. Thus, if we program ourselves to have a positive and productive experience...then we will. So, the first step to surviving this is to positively self program yourself...it sounds silly...but it works. Secondly, observe yourself and honestly record your reactions to the situation. Often you will discover that you are exaggerating your reactions...but if you're not...there is hope:
This next section will examine some symptoms, their causes, and possible cures:
| Symptom | Cause | Cure |
| fast heart rate | breathing speeds up and the heart must supply more blood to the lungs to absorb the increase in Oxygen. | slow down breathing rate, take deep breaths |
| Heavy Breathing | this is the first symptom of the brain waves that are telling the body to begin flight or fight reaction. | concentrate effort to slow respiration, tell yourself that the experience isn't as terrifying as you believe |
| Sweating palms | increase in body temp as a stress reaction | Relax, breathe slowly and decrease respiration; move hands and fingers to cool surface |
| loss of breath | as respiration rate speeds up...we begin to breather very shallowly...so air volume in lungs is less than normal. | concentrate on breathing slowly and deeply |
| cold sweat | stress stimulates sweat glands to produce excessive perspiration...which overcools the body | convince yourself that the situation won't be that bad. relax, move the hands., move legs and torso slightly |
| weak knees | muscle tension due to nervousness makes muscles unstable. | relax, move slowly, and don't lock knees |
| muscle spasm | increase in energy of muscle due to heightened brain activity | proper breathing, move to increase oxygenation, keep movements deliberate |
| breaking/cracking voice | excessive tension in larynx and vocal cords as a result of stress. | relax the throat by yawning, take a deep breath before you speak, swallow before first word. |
| tight throat: | muscle tension in throat | relax shoulders, move arms and hands, yawn |
| cotton mouth | nerves cause lubrication of throat/mouth to become secondary to oxygen and energy...thus the salivary glands are secondary concerns. | move the jaw, swallow, breathe through the nose prior to speaking to slow dehydration, visualize yourself biting into a lemon, gently bite your cheek. |
TIP...when you get up there to speak...take a few seconds to set yourself. Pause...get their attention...smile and begin. This ritual can help put your fears elsewhere.
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