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, and 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. Make Sufficient Preparation
It is the experience of many that the first 3 to 5 minutes
of the speech is the period when the anxiety is most
intense. After that, your mind and body tend to settle
down and you are more able to "live" into the situation.
Good preparation can help you easily get through the first
couple of minutes and put more confidence into your message.
You may also consider preparing some visual aids, such as
PowerPoint, Posters, Projections, Videos, etc. During your
speech, visual aids can help you easy move from one subject
to another, and you will only become more confident as you
move on. Of course, you need to practice with them as much
as you can before the speech.
2. Convince Yourself That You Are Excited And Not Scared
Look at it this way: Speaking in public is an opportunity
for you to share your views and knowledge about a topic for
which you are an expert or which you are passionate about.
Isn't it exciting to be able to present yourself to others?
Try to convince yourself that what you feel are the result
of power and excitement, instead of fear, and that you like
this feeling.
3. Practice Slow and Deep Breathing
When you are struck by anxiety, your heart races fast, your
muscle becomes tense, and your mind refuses to perform its
normal work. Taking slow and deep breathing can help you
slow things down and gain control. A good way to practice
is to breath in belly out, and then breath out belly in.
Count to yourself when you do this practice, and try to
visualize the numbers with each count.
4. Fill Your Mind With Something Positive
Think about the cheerful moments in your life, moments when
you got a promotion, won a prize, landed a big contract,
won your love, etc. Think about those people who love you
and trust you, and try to picture their smiling faces.
With positive thinking, you can fill your body with energy
and confidence, and you become more powerful in your battle
against anxiety.
To recap, communication anxiety is commonly experienced by
almost all people at certain stage in their lives. If you
are one of these people, there is no need to get worried as
your anxiety can easily be managed with the tips shown in
this article. Over the time, you will become more and more
confident with yourself and your topics, and, better yet,
you may even start to enjoy public speaking!
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