what do you do to calm your nerves before a speech?

[2_steezy]

hello i just signed up last night and its great knowing I'm not alone at this? I've had sad since I was 14-15 years old. I went to a doctor about it when i was 23. Never was prescribed meds but was informed about group meetings, I never went to one. Ever since i was a freshman in high school while doing presentations in front of the class i would be so nervous and stressed about it, I could hardly breath, sweaty palms, heart pounding, voice cracking but never got to the point were i felt i did really bad and didn't think any of my class mates noticed. That was until I got into college and had a speech class, i had memorized this speech but when i got up to do it my mind went blank and i just kept stuttering, trying to breath, my heart was pounding through the whole speech so embarrassing. After that i started to drink before i did presentation and have had good luck. I don't drink to much at all about 1-2 times a month. I even had a class that I almost failed because i didn't do the presentation which was a big part of our grade. my question is does anyone else drink b 4 a speech? if not... what type of things do you do to calm your nerves?

[lsmazdaspeed3]

I've had this problem for a while too.  I gave a presentation for one of my classes about a month ago and decided to have drink before, and it actually worked for me.  I think between the medication I was on and that one drink, it was the perfect mix.  I have a speech in a week again, and I am debating whether to drink again or just try without.  Other than the drink, I have started to try diaphragmatic breathing, which is very effective.  Do it for a couple minutes with your eyes closed and you'll feel great when you open them. 

Cheers

[Sassy Girl]

Avoid it at all costs lol
Even seeing that talk about giving a speech makes me nervous lol
Sorry, I can't offer help on that one!

[jmeb17]

I actually have to take a speech class in college too. I signed up and everything but couldnt bring myself to do it, so I dropped the class. Giving speeches is the worst thing for me..I just cant do it...I wish I had advice, but I dont....I dont drink, but using alcohol to get you thru might not be a good idea.

anyways good luck, I know it sucks

[soundsofsilence]

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[Born Again]

lol I had a presentation 2 weeks ago from today that I ended up skippin, and I put alotta thought into drinking a 40 before it. Nothing gets rid of my anxiety better then a couple of beers. Well what ended up happening was i skipped the class, smoked weed, got myself some alcohol, and went for a walk through the mountains that are not far from my college.

The next night i was all depressed, i drank 2 40's and smoked alotta weed. The next day I was possibly the sickest i had ever been, couldnt even hold water down. Since then I have only had one beer, not sure if I wanna keep drinkin or not but I'm still smoking weed, which I have done roughly atleast everynight since I was 17, going on 6 years now. I think the only hope for me when it comes to presentations is gettin on the right medicine.

[ihaveanxiety]

I always wanted to try drinking before presentations... but it just doesn't make sense to me. When I get tipsy/drunk I don't feel calm and loose anymore. I had too many bad experiences with alcohol and all I feel from being drunk is dizziness and I can't see straight. I feel like if I drink I will be all wobbly infront of the class.

[rgc1279]

Look into a drug called Propranolol.  Helps calm you down physically.

[copingman]

in my opinion u could ease out your nerves without alcohol by doing this
-first, relaxing activity like -yoga ,visual guided relaxation
-have average preparation
-rehearse the situation in your mind recreate the event before hand and suppress the anxiety ,be comfortable with that
-present in front of your friends and family
-write on paper what you have to say
even then if it doesnt work
take propranolol 5 mg 1 hr before the presentation
it works wonders
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