Stage fright jumps on you without warning. Just imagine, you are on stage and the audience is waiting for you to perform but suddenly, your mind goes blank and you are unable to speak. Pulse starts to race, hands are trembling, and you experience an uneasy feeling in your stomach. Performance anxiety strikes! Stage fright or performance anxiety is not only horrible but also frustrating.
How to Get Rid of Performance Anxiety
Performance anxiety is a broad term and refers to many types of conditions. It does not necessarily involve a “stage”. Any person whose activity brings them to the attention of a small or a large audience can take the form of performance anxiety. For some, performance anxiety refers to the ability to perform under pressure like in a sports or excelling as a musician. For many it also refers to their sexual performance where they worry about how they’ll perform which impacts how they enjoy their sexual experiences.
Performance anxiety naturally occurs when the client puts too much emphasis on themselves and their anxiousness rather than on their presentation and performance. It is usually a result of comparing the performance with threat or some kind of danger, rather than a challenge.
Tips to cope with stage fright:
Here are some tips that are helpful in overcoming your fears and shining on the stage, podium, or any other platform you wish to excel in.
- Fully prepare your presentation and performance by practicing over and over again.
- Eat a healthy diet especially on the day of your performance. Cut back on the intake of sugar and caffeine drinks on the day.
- Exercise, take a walk and do jumping jacks – anything that helps you ease your tensed muscles before the performance begins.
- Get a good night’s sleep before your appearance.
- Shift your focus away from you and keep reminding yourself that the audience is here to be entertained, informed, or educated by you.
- Don’t expect the negative to happen. Instead, imagine the audience enjoying your performance.
- Act natural and be yourself. Don’t try to imitate others (except if you are a comedian and imitating famous personalities).
- Practice controlled breathing, meditation or any other relaxation techniques that will help you relax and divert your thoughts away from the performance.
How can hypnosis help in getting rid of performance anxiety?
Hypnotherapy has been proven to be very effective in reducing the symptoms of performance anxiety. It helps the client regain control of their thoughts and feelings and help divert them in a positive way. It is helpful in managing and resolving the negative effects stage fright has on the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of the client. In result, they become more relaxed and calm during a performance and/or presentation.
Stage fright affects everyone at some point in their career. However, it is a treatable disorder and with hypnotherapy, you can gain the confidence you need to give your best performance.
