Why is it that some people can perform in public effortlessly, while others experience stage fright?
Dry mouth, tight throat, hot sweats, trembling, stomach ache, nausea, the desire to run and hide are all symptoms of Stage Fright, also known as Performance Anxiety. In this blog post I will explain what it is and how you can overcome stage fright.
This fear can occur in any setting, at any time and to anyone when they’re worried about being judged on their performance.
Big names like Adele, Harry Styles, Pavarotti, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Rod Stewart and Emma Watson have all confessed to suffering with stage fright and studies have shown that 80 percent of professional actors and performers have suffered from it at least once in their careers. It can be debilitating, let alone a great source of embarrassment.
Of course you don’t have to be an actor, musician or professional speaker to suffer from stage fright. You might have gone blank at a job interview, dried up while speaking in a meeting or at an event, giving a presentation, on a first date or just making small-talk with a stranger. Stage fright can grip you in front of audiences large, small and intimate, on a one-to-one and even over the telephone.
What causes Stage Fright?
As I mentioned earlier, this particular fear arises when you’re worried about being judged on your performance, ideas, intellect, knowledge, how you look, how you sound, viewing the event as a potential threat to your credibility or public persona.
I once went with my husband to a networking event as his support buddy. Me being someone who loves to take the floor, him being someone who would prefer to be in the audience. “It’ll be fine.” I said. “Let me do the talking.” I said. “I’ve got this.” I said.
One by one, everyone in the room introduced themselves and spoke a little about their business. It came to our turn and my husband looked a bit sheepish and so I stood up, looked at him endearingly, bless him, and…. completely froze. My legs went to jelly, my throat tightened, no words fell out. I crumbled, it was a shambles. I’ll never forget the look of shock on my husband’s face. We laughed all the way home and still laugh about it to this day. “Cocky.” He calls me.
From a physiological standpoint though, stage fright is the fault of (not the fault in) your amygdala. There’s a saying we used to have in psychology class, “No fear, no amygdala.” This little almond shaped blighter is responsible for our fight or flight response, it regulates our emotions and encodes our memories. To be honest, we should all be glad for a healthy amygdala because without one, or with a less than adequate one, our ability to empathise, sympathise, love and know right from wrong would be diminished.
By simply embracing the fear factor and recognising it as perfectly normal and healthy, stage fright can be tempered and mitigated to a large degree.
Can it be Cured?
Well to cure is one thing, stage fright isn’t an illness or disease, but it is absolutely possible to overcome the fear and learn to perform without the heightened anxiety. With the right mind-set you can learn how to feel more at ease in any and all social situations.
Hypnotherapy can help you re-frame and redirect negative thoughts, beliefs, images, and predictions about performing in public. Transforming fears and vulnerabilities into powerful tools to help you perform at your very best.
If you need help with performance anxiety, give your amygdala a day off and get in touch today: https://gailmarrahypnotherapy.com
Buy Gails book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Wealth-Hypnosis-beautiful-life/dp/1913479234/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
