Tips on Overcoming Stage Fright

Performance anxiety, also known as stage fright, is the number one fear of Americans, according to WebMD. Symptoms of performance anxiety may include sweating, trembling and nausea. Individuals suffering from performance anxiety may experience dry mouth and find that their voice shakes when they speak. Feeling prepared and visualizing success can help make performing in front of others easier.

Make a Plan

• Feeling prepared can reduce anxiety, notes the Mayo Clinic. Organize all your materials and have them ready for the big day. Know exactly what you are going to do and when you are going to do it. Write notes or create visual cues to help with timing or to provide reminders. If you are giving a speech or making a presentation, PowerPoint presentations or other visual aides can help take audience focus off you, making you feel more comfortable. Familiarize yourself with the room or stage where you will be presenting. Know how to work all audio-visual equipment before you perform. Think about your audience and plan your presentation accordingly.

Practice

• Practice your speech or routine until you know it by heart, advise both Mayo Clinic and WebMD. Ask supportive friends and family to watch your presentation and provide constructive criticism to help you improve. If possible, practice in the venue where you will be performing or presenting.

Visualize

• Visualization can decrease performance anxiety, according to WebMD. Before the event, visualize the space where you will be presenting. Imagine yourself performing calmly and successfully. To prepare yourself, imagine problems which might occur and visualize how you would address them.

Build Self-Confidence

• Avoiding public speaking will not reduce anxiety; instead avoidance will cause anxiety to increase the next time you are faced with a public speaking situation, according to Mayo Clinic. Instead of avoiding these challenges, meet them head-on and celebrate your success to build confidence. No one is perfect; even if your presentation did not go as well as planned, congratulate yourself on facing your fears and completing the task.

Medication and Counseling

• For some, the task of performing in front of others is overwhelming. Extreme stage fright is known as a social phobia, or social anxiety disorder, and may require medication or counseling.