Communication anxiety is also known as public speech anxiety. Contrary to other types of anxieties, it is just a NORMAL phenomenon among ordinary people. In fact, a significant number of people tend to avoid situations of public speaking, and an even greater number of people can not perform as effectively as they otherwise can due to anxiety and stress. A few individuals even rank public speaking ahead of their worst fears, such as snakes, spiders, even DEATH.
Despite the uneasiness accompanying the symptoms of communication anxiety, experts believe that a certain degree of anxiety is actually a good thing. It is a sign that you care for your listeners and that you would like to deliver your speech perfectly. With that in mind, the anxiety can become an incentive for good preparation and great performance.
Having said that, people with high communication anxiety will need help, but often self-help. Here are 4 great tips you can practice to manage or reduce your speech anxiety.
1. Prepare Thoroughly
Usually, the first 3 to 5 minutes of the speech is when your anxiety is the most intense. After this period, you tend to settle down into the situation. By preparing for your speech sufficiently, you will find it easier to go beyond the first couple of minutes, which in turn will boost your confidence in the remaining part of the speech.
Also try to get yourself some visual help, such as PowerPoint, posters, pictures, and videos. With these visual help, you will find it a lot easier to move from section to section and your speech block will suddenly become unblocked.
2. Tell Yourself That You Are Just Excited, And Not Scared
Speaking in public is your opportunity to share your view and knowledge on something which you are either an expert or feel passionate about. Tell yourself that you are excited, instead of being scared, about presenting yourself to others.
3. Practice Slow and Deep Breathing
When anxiety strikes on you, you can feel that your heart races, your muscle gets tense, and your mind refuses to work. To take control of yourself again, you can try practice deep breathing, while count to yourself when you are at it.
4. Think Positively
Every person has got some moments they feel happy or proud about. Try to recall those moments when you got a promotion, won a prize, landed a big contract, and won your love, etc. Also try to picture those people who love and trust you, and imagine they are smiling at you. Thinking positively will make you more confident about your next project.
Just to refresh what we have made at the beginning of this article, communication anxiety is not a disease that requires medical intervention. All of the 4 tips listed above are self-helping techniques, but they work wonders. Do yourself a favor and practice these tips as much as you can, you will soon see the benefits.
Click here to learn more about the causes and symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks, and some selected natural methods for treating your anxiety quickly and permanently.
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