How to Cope with Stage Fright - Public Speaking Tips

Many people suffer from stage fright and other fears related to public speaking or performance, yet there are solutions. Stage fright does not have to control your life and limit your career, the following stage fright cures can help.


One simple tip for reducing stage fright is to minimize the importance of the audience. During stage fright, many people invest the audience with imaginary power. Someone with stage fright may be scared of the audience's critique of their speech or performance. A variety of methods to minimize this imaginary power of the audience exist. One solid solution is for the person with stage fright to maximize their own feelings of power while learning to accept themselves. They may also remind themselves of the vulnerability of the audience.

Another effective method for stage fright reduction is to get rid of the thoughts about negative outcomes. Certainly, we face negative outcomes in our lives each and every day but dwelling on them is unhealthy and can actually cause stress-related health problems. Rather than worrying about people's judgments or potential negative outcomes of their performance or speech, they should focus on the present moment.

People who suffer from stage fright are often scared of failure. Another way to combat stage fright is to remind the person of the bigger picture. One speech or performance is unlikely to affect their life in any major way. Taking away a bit of the pressure is a great way to start loosening the grasp stage fright has on them. Also help the person change their goal from being perfect to simply having fun, or perhaps providing entertainment or education for the audience. A more laid-back goal for the event helps to reduce the pressure.

Action Plan for Stage Fright. If you encounter stage fright, here are some simple steps you can take to minimize those feelings.

Prepare yourself - if you have a report or presentation to do but you haven't spent time to prepare for it, you will be much more nervous

Walk it Off - whenever you start to feel the nervousness start, do a few jumping jacks, pull-ups, or take a quick walk. This will help your body to get over your fight or flight instinct.

Cool Down - after you work out a bit of that excess energy, do some relaxing stretches and deep breathing exercise to help your body feel comfortable and your mind to refocus.

Another option for dealing with stage fright is beta blockers. Beta blocks help to block adrenaline and noradrenalin. This helps reduce the body's fight of flight response that many people feel during episodes of stage fright. Beta blockers may cause some side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, nightmares, or hallucinations, and they have not been approved by the FDA for the treatment of stage fright.