As kids or adults, we all must have faced a problem where we were not confident enough to go on stage or perform in front of people very easily. Many individuals overcome this barrier, whereas a few of them struggle. If you are one of them, don't worry; you are not alone on this ship.
Stage fright has been a common struggle for every person to deal with. All of us must have faced it at one time or the other in our lives. When we ask anyone why they are not comfortable going and talking on stage or performing an act in front of a group of people in which they are well-versed, they say they have stage fright. So, what exactly is stage fright? It is known as performance anxiety, where a phobia may arise due to the person's requirement to perform in front of a large crowd or audience or even a camera.
Stage fright can happen to anyone irrespective of how well versed the person is or how smart they are. The reason people face stage fright is various. It could be due to your past experiences where you might have encountered humiliation, mockery, or negative responses. Sometimes, you might lack self-confidence and might be worried about the way you physically look. These are just a few barriers that we need to fight and come over to be the best version of ourselves.
How do you know if you have stage fright?
It is very easy to identify when you have stage fright. As stage fright is associated with anxiety, the symptoms are the same. The common symptoms are heart racing, dry mouth, shaky voice trembling, sweating, light-headedness, and nausea. In this process, a huge amount of adrenaline is released, which becomes responsible for the chain of reactions. The body enters fight or flight mode, which is a natural response for protecting the body from harm.
What happens when I have stage fright?
When a person experiences stage fright, it affects their performance negatively. It affects differently for every individual by either making it difficult for them to sit through an interview or complete a performance. It could be for the smallest and simplest of things. It is very commonly recognized, and people acknowledge it in very different ways.
The body has its own ways to fight it off. Sometimes it may bring shivers in the hands and legs and stiffen the muscles preparing for an attack. It can make you feel cold in your fingers, toes, nose, and ears by constricting the blood vessels.
The fear of facing a huge crowd and being a part of any public event or gathering might make people lose their opportunity for a promotion or quit participation in lots of events and occasions as it affects their self-confidence and self-esteem.
How can I overcome this barrier?
Overcoming the barrier is not easy, but its not impossible. Here are a few tips for you to keep in mind when stage fright hits you.
Distract yourself from your own thoughts- Sometimes, your own thoughts can be your enemy; distract yourself when you start panicking about the performance or a speech you need to give. Remember why you were there in the first place and try thinking about contributing to the audience who are there to listen to you.
Do not doubt yourself or your capabilities- Stop questioning yourself if you will be able to do the task successfully or not. Believe that you can and will do it the best by giving your best for it.
Changing your eating and drinking style- Studies have shown that caffeine, alcohol, and sugar intake can affect anxiety levels. To keep them under control, try and avoid these elements in your food.
Getting things ready in advance and practicing it- Keeping your material for delivery ready can help you with the thoughts of self-doubt and self-confidence. When you prepare your content, it will be easier for you to judge and know what possible areas you might fluster. This will help you work on yourself at a higher level.
Consciously making an effort to think that it will be a success- A person needs to visualize their success. Having a vision of success will definitely help you with your confidence levels. Your subconscious mind will capture it and do the work for you effortlessly.
Be friendly- Welcome your audience and interact with them to make yourself feel comfortable. If you feel that you are missing something or are losing track of your speech, interact with the audience or take a short break.
Embrace your flaws- Not everyone is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. Embrace it. It's alright to make mistakes; it only makes us human. Acknowledge the mistake you have made if you feel obligated and turn it into a light joke by saying, "I think the nervousness got to me." It is okay to admit it, and it is okay to have it. Be candid about it.
Follow these tips and make sure you beat the fear of stage fright before it beats you! Unleash the monster hiding within you and show the world what you got.
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