How to Not Sweat While Public Speaking

Acute stress can cause intense, episodic periods of stress about certain environments or tasks, such as public speaking. The thought of speaking in front of a crowd causes come adults to break into a cold sweat. For such individuals, the stress of public speaking causes physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, shallow breathing and excessive perspiration. Reducing your perspiration during public speaking requires a combination of cognitive and practical adjustments.

Instructions

• 1

  Apply extra-strong antiperspirant to your sweat-prone areas the morning of your speaking engagement. Check the back of the product for the aluminum content. Products with higher percentages of aluminum are more effective because aluminum is the active antiperspirant ingredient. Use the product under your arms, across the palms of your hands and in between your fingers. Apply the antiperspirant after you're dressed to minimize contact between the product on your hands and other areas of your body or clothing.

• 2

  Wear cool, breathable clothing the day you speak. Natural fibers like cotton, silk, broadcloth and wool allow for more air circulation than most synthetic fibers like acetate or polyester. If appropriate, cool yourself by removing a cardigan or sport coat before speaking. Choose white shirts which conceal moisture penetration more effectively. If you have to wear darker colors, choose black which will unfortunately absorb more heat, but also conceals moisture penetration the most effectively.

• 3

  Practice calming yourself. Practice mindful techniques using visualization and breathing patterns to relax yourself in the weeks or months leading up to your speaking engagement. Prior to speaking, inhale slowly and hold your breath for 10 seconds, and exhale for 15 seconds, repeat three times. During your presentation, avoid trying to exhale while speaking, you'll sound anxious and rushed. Instead, practice exhaling and inhaling every few sentences, this will prevent you from hyperventilating and provide a natural pause in your speech.