Do you know why we shake when we do public speaking?
Public speaking is perceived by your brain like a threat.
It feels danger paralleled to if you were getting chased by a lion, but in reality, the threat is an emotional one: Exposure to judgement, rejection, failure.
Your body releases adrenaline which creates autonomic responses like an increased heart rate, muscle tension, and sweating.
But because you’re not running from a lion, and you’re standing still and talking, the adrenaline has nowhere to go. It manifests as shaking in your hands and body, even causing your voice to quiver
So how can you avoid shaking?
You need to move that adrenaline. You need to get it out of your body.
Try these three steps so you aren’t left shaking on stage:
- Move before your talk. There’s a reason I dance and do star jumps in the green room before I step on stage
- Slow down your body’s physiological response: Try box breathing (4 seconds in, 4 second hold, 4 seconds out, 4 second hold & repeat) or pep talks to calm down your nervous system.
- Start your talk with movement. I like to start the first 2-3 minutes of my talk with high energy, where I project my voice while pacing the stage. This works to move your nerves, while also starting your presentation with high energy to move your audience!
This stuff works – Simply ask Tony Robbins. He has his trampoline routine before stepping on stage. And he’s been doing this for decades!!Want more? Get personalised guidance on how you can present on stages like a boss here
