Public Speaking: How to calm presentation anxiety

It’s totally natural and it means you care. That said, there are time-tested, effective ways to learn how to calm those nerves before a presentation—and make them work to your benefit.

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1. Practice, practice, and then practice some more.

Most of us are not natural-born orators, which is why it’s so important to practice. Whether you’re giving a speech in person or presenting over a video call, knowing your material backward and forward is essential. Rehearsing in front of a mirror is good, but recording a trial run on your phone or computer is more helpful. Do you move your arms too much when you speak, bite your lip when you’re tense, or have a tendency to stare into space when grasping for the right word? Watching a recording of yourself, cringeworthy though it may feel in the moment, is the best way to assess your strengths and weaknesses and identify areas of growth. Run the recording through a transcription service and you’ll likely notice distracting speech tics like saying “um” and “like” excessively. Asking friends and family to listen to your pitch and offer constructive criticism is another way to beat the butterflies.

2. Write it out.

Worried you’ll flub your closing argument or forget an important statistic? It’s better to reference bulleted notes to keep yourself on track than to read off a teleprompter or quote your own slides. Fortunately, the simple act of writing out key talking points aids with memorization. The more you do it, the deeper your familiarity with the content will grow—and that will help you project confidence and ease when it’s showtime.

3. Put those nerves to work.

If you can’t banish nervous energy, channel it in a positive direction. Exercising a few hours before a big talk causes a rush of endorphins, which in turn makes you feel happier and more secure. To pump yourself up, blast upbeat music, dance with a partner (or pet!), jog in place or make a quick loop around the block, or grin like a maniacal clown until your face cracks a genuine smile. Audiences respond to enthusiastic presenters, so the trick is learning to be your own hype man/woman.

4. Avoid stimulants.

It may seem like a good idea to chug caffeine before a speech, but coffee, tea, soda, and neon-hued sports drinks can actually hinder your performance. Instead of looking bright-eyed and alert, you’ll titter and buzz like a chainsaw. Your hands will shake, your heart will pound, and you’ll feel extra jumpy. Alcohol, on the other hand, may take off the edge but also dulls it. Better to drink plenty of water, which will also help remedy dry throat and mouth, a common side effect of the adrenaline rush that comes before a presentation.

5. Arrive early.

The only thing worse than battling anxiety before a big presentation is running late. Whether you’re presenting in person or on a video call, showing up early gives you a chance to get your bearings. You can test your lighting and sound, chat with colleagues, perform breathing exercises, and, if time permits, do a dry run of your presentation. A quiet room or hallway is best, but a car or bathroom stall works in a pinch. (We’ve all been there.)

6. Just breeeeeathe.

Sometimes the easiest advice is the best. Breathing exercises can work wonders to soothe jangly nerves or help you regain composure if something throws you off-course. Apps like Headspace and Calm walk users through basic breathing exercises, or you can steel your nerves on your own by closing your eyes and focusing on your breath. On the count of three, inhale deeply through your nose for five seconds, filling your lungs with air. Hold for two or three beats, imagining every cell in your body ballooning with oxygen, and then release, exhaling slowly through your mouth. Repeat this five to ten times or until your heart rate drops back to earth and you’re feeling Zen-ish.

7. Picture brilliance.

The power of positive thinking—or positive visualization, as motivational speakers like to call it—is real. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts, the idea being that if you picture something going your way, chances are it will. Next time you feel a crippling bout of stage fright coming on, imagine yourself on the podium or in the speaker box straight-up killing it.

Now that you’re feeling self-assured and eloquent, like a star TED talker, you’re ready for your next speech. This can end only one way, of course—with a standing ovation. Now, go out there and rock it for real.