Top Ten Tips For Reducing Stage Fright

1. Allow and accept whatever fearful feelings and body sensations you have without trying to fight or run from the fear. Your fear will pass more easily when you are not frightened by it.

2. Focus on calming and grounding yourself by slow and gentle deep breathing and allow your breath to relax your mind and body. Also focus on thoughts and images that are relaxing and uplifting.

3. Try to stay connected to the reality of what is going on around you in the present moment by listening closely to others and paying attention to your surroundings.

4. Use positive, supportive, encouraging self-talk. Speak to yourself as your greatest supporter and ally, especially at the most difficult moments.

5. Think about past successes and connect with all of your strengths and abilities that have allowed you to face other life challenges. Draw upon that reservoir of strength within you.

6. Practice healthy lifestyle habits (such as healthy eating, exercising, and getting adequate sleep) so you can feel at your best before a presentation or performance. Think about and do things that help create a lighthearted, joyful spirit and don’t take yourself so seriously.

7. Prepare ahead of time when possible and be well-practiced and rehearsed so you feel more comfortable with your material. When facing impromptu speaking or performing situations, rely on trusting in your experience, fund of knowledge, intelligence, and resourcefulness and don’t second-guess yourself.

8. Create a self-assured, confident attitude and body posture even when you are not feeling this way. “Act as if” you were someone who was self-assured and confident with speaking or performing and model this person’s attitude and body language.

9. Focus on your true purpose for speaking or performing and let go of self-preoccupation about your worries and fears. Make a true, human connection with others in your audience and see people for who they really are, rather than as your judges or critics.

10. Give up trying to be perfect and know it is okay to be human and to make mistakes. Stop comparing yourself to others, or to some ideal standard, and allow your imperfect natural self to come forward.