Fear of public speaking
Mental Health Fear of public speaking is one of the most common phobias, it is the very barrier that separates those who want to speak from those who seek to be the center of attention.
How to overcome:
a) Your task is to burn off excess energy before you start your speech. There can be many options here: squat, push-ups from the floor, pull-ups (if there is something to hold on to). Alternatively, walk up and down the stairs. Any movement will burn off excess energy.
b) Square breathing will help you concentrate and gather your thoughts. The essence of the exercise is that the breathing cycle consists of four phases: inhale-pause-exhale-pause. Usually, pauses are almost not felt. Your task: to perform all four phases with equal time intervals. For example: slow inhalation (4 sec), pause (4 sec), slow exhalation (4 sec), pause (4 sec). Over time, increase the interval - 6, 9, 15 seconds. The more, the better. If you practice this exercise regularly, you will be less "choking" during your speech, and your voice will become "deeper".
c) Bringing anxiety to the point of absurdity. When we tell ourselves “don’t worry” it’s the same as saying “don’t think about the white monkey”. It’s difficult to think about anything else at that moment. Try, on the contrary, to imagine the worst-case scenario. For example: “I’m going to go on stage now, my pants will rip, everyone will laugh and take videos”. I guarantee you will feel better immediately.
Bachurin, I. (2022). Convincing presentations and speeches. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/40wcOm7.
Stefan, I. (2017). Fear of public speaking: causes and ways to overcome it. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/4hrQVuV.
Stepura, A. (2021). Glossophobia. 12 ways to overcome the fear of public speaking. Retrieved from http://bit.ly/40rsxTs.