People who experience stage fright can develop fear towards a number of different things that are performance related. Some people fear getting out on stage. These people will forget what they are supposed to be doing, freeze up, and worry that they will look silly in front of a crowded audience. Others fear the audience more directly. They become overly concerned about how the audience might react to their performance. But, what if a performer could put their mind and body at ease every time they step out in front of an audience? Even some professionals struggle with this skill. As more and more youth are finding music to be important, they also find that they must overcome stage fright. Consequently, developing this skill early is really for the best, so that young musicians will stick with music and enjoy getting out and doing live performances. Let us examine some powerful strategies for overcoming stage fright.
Fifteen Minutes Of Breathing
Fifteen minutes, every day, sit comfortably and just listen to yourself breathe deeply in and out with rather heavy slow breaths. Not only does this have a very calming effect on people who tend to get nervous or anxious, but some performers have claimed that this method of meditative breathing has utterly eradicated their stage fright altogether. Scientific research might have the answers why. Slow deep breathing engages the vegas nerve, which is like stepping on the breaks as far as the body’s stress overreaction, in fight or flight, is concerned.
The Audience Is Always There
The first mistake many people make in the entertainment industry is imagining that they live in two different realities. There is this time they spend on the stage, when all eyes are supposed to be glued on them, subjecting their every tiny motion and mistake to the utmost scrutiny. On the other hand, there is this other reality they call, being off stage: a time when all eyes are not glued on the performer. This change of perspectives is where the stage fright hides out in the shadows, when they are not on stage. But, what if all the world truly is a stage, as Shakespeare claimed? What if the eyes of the audience are always glued on our every movement. And what if we simply didn’t care? With this mind set, there is no struggle to jump from one perspective to the next, because one’s perspective is singular, where the entire world is always a stage. Hence, a performer learns to live the performance, rather than stepping in and out of it.
Supplements That Calm The Nerves
For centuries, performers have sought for substances to calm their nerves before going on stage. From drugs to alcohol, actors and singers alike have tried it all, often with disastrous results. However, there are numerous safe substances that the body can use to reduce stress and anxiety. The B-complex vitamins are a power house for stress reduction, aiding and protecting the nervous system in its struggle to cope with stress. Calcium and magnesium are two common minerals that produce a mild sedative effect to counter stress also. Note, calcium should be taken with vitamins d3 and K2 for optimal results and to prevent calcium from being wrongly distributed throughout the body. A safer alternative to drugs like Xanax and Valium is a stinky herb called Valerian root. Smelling like dirty feet, this herb used in a tea or in pill form can produce a nice and reasonably safe sedative effect for most people who suffer with chronic anxiety or stage fright. Just be careful not to take too much. It works as a sleep aid too.
Performance of any kind can be intimidating to anyone, of any age. Whether your performance is a lyrical dance piece, or your are in an orchestra performance playing your clarinet in a school event. Learning to conquer topophobia is a vital, and life long skill.
