Social anxiety on public speaking

@DoraCT256

I understand. I've had to practice and just accept certain things are going to happen when I have to speak in front of a large group of people or give an oral presentation in one of my classes. Sometimes my mind goes blank despite all the practicing I've done too, but I give myself a minute to collect my thoughts while I introduce myself to the audience and begin talking about my subject.

If you get anxious when looking at the people, just don't do it. I like to choose I spot over their heads or against the wall, then occasionally scan left to right so I don't come off as a little wooden. if I feel a little calmer once I've started talking, sometimes I'll make eye contact with a couple of people in the audience and then move on.

During my last oral presentation, I realized that my heart was beating a mile a minute and I was holding my breath! My legs were wobbling and I'd wished that I could sit down. So don't be scared to take a nice easy breath. Your muscles need the oxygen and won't feel as bad if you just let yourself take a nice breath.

Now I usually start speaking by saying something like, "Hey, I'm [insert name here] and I'm a little nervous." I look at the back wall, scan left to right, take another breath and once I feel like I've remembered what I forgot, I smile and say, "I'm here to talk about [insert topic sentence here!!!]."

I hope this was helpful!