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How can I keep calm and not be nervous on stage?

21 Answers
Last Updated: 02/15/2021 at 9:47pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
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Top Rated Answers
Miracle
January 18th, 2015 11:22pm
Keeping calm under pressure can be very hard. To be honest practice helps a lot because it gives you more confidence. Speaking to others who have similar experiences might too as does keeping everything in perspective. It might be worth considering lots of self guided relaxation techniques too especially to do with breathing before hand might help (the self help guides are good). Personally I have found that in high stress situations it has been helpful for me to remind myself the whole way though 'it's all over' even when I am in the sitaution and then to try and focus on what I will do afterward right before instead of focusing on the very stressful here and now. Trying that technique though will work best if you are a rather visual person and willing to practice a lot.
Anonymous
February 15th, 2021 9:47pm
Take 10-15 deep breaths, practice your content well. You feel a lot nervous when you are not familiar with the content or have not practiced it well. Another reason why nervousness arises is because of the fact that we might forget something on stage. It's all right to forget, nobody gets to know that you have forgotten to mention something except you. It's okay to make mistakes, we all mess up. I don't think so there has been a single person ever who has not messed up while being on stage :D. Trust yourself and you will do a great job.
rflvncntrys
March 29th, 2016 12:29am
Slow your breathing. Don't take things too seriously. Calm your mind. Listen to musics that are relaxing and slow. Think of a place that makes you relaxed.
scenicSunshine18
August 4th, 2020 2:07pm
Nervousness is something that all people who perform on stage experience. It can be a good thing but sometimes our bodies get the best of us and our nerves get out of hand. One way to combat this is to consume beta blockers, these blockers will allow you to not feel as nervous because they block the receptors for the nerves. A great natural beta blocker is a banana. Eating a banana 30 minutes before going on stage has been shown to help keep nerves at bay. Another way to keep calm and not be nervous is to practice what you are performing. The better you know your material, the more you will be able to rely on your to perform by muscle memory than from your conscious mind. Knowing your material better should also lower your nerves because you'll know it better. A win-win!
Rabbit033
July 28th, 2020 6:53pm
Practice is really the best course of action. I used to have a hard time speaking in front of hours. I would get so embarrassed whenever I had to read aloud or give some kind of presentation in front of the class. I would turned SO red. My worst moment was when I began to shake while reading a report in class. I now am a supervisor at the place of my work and talk in front of a group of over 20 almost daily. What I feel makes the most difference is practicing beforehand in private, not hesitating and letting those nervous thoughts creep in and just facing it head on. If you get nervous, get nervous but push through. Eventually this will all get easier over time.
NicoleRachel
February 27th, 2018 8:48am
Imagine a place where you feel comfort and relaxed. Something familiar like home. Home isn't just a place. It's a feeling you get when a sense of comfort and peace comes over you.
rachel38
October 11th, 2016 7:41pm
Don't think about the fact that you could mess up - don't think about the embarrassment! Remember that you're out there to do something that you love, and that that's all that matters!
subtleGray16
September 5th, 2016 9:31pm
I've been performing on stage since I was 3. I still get scared. My stomach clenches up and I get dizzy. But I've learned that if you take that first step, it gets easier to go on. It might not be perfect but who cares if you make a mistake? It takes courage just to get up there.
WarriorDreams
August 29th, 2016 8:55pm
No one has anything to offer you. By that I mean, even if you impress your audience they may not be able to do anything about getting you where you ultimately want to go. relax and just do what you enjoy. that's all you need to care about.
Anonymous
July 5th, 2016 12:52pm
When you're on stage.. just think that you're alone and just doing the thing which make you happy.. and forget about the world..and believe on yourself.. then you'd feel confident..
Zebrasarcastic
June 7th, 2016 5:46pm
Take a deep breath and when you get on the stage think why you're doing it and think of the things that makes you happy.onec on the stage and the amount of people scare you spot the one person that makes you feel happy and calm that person might be a friend or a family member
Nahsha
April 12th, 2016 5:51am
Breathing exercises before going on stage might help calm you down . practice warms up might also help
BeBrave602
September 29th, 2015 11:42am
I have that problem too! It's normal to be nervous. Take some deep breaths, think of succeeding, and NEVER think of failing. Drinking some warm tea might help you to calm down too.
ListenLady
September 8th, 2015 9:17am
Speaking or performing on stage, in front of people is a very common problem that a lot of people fear, me being one of them. One way that I have found useful is breathing exercises, even famous singers use these techniques to keep calm before going on stage. Once you are on stage and doing whatever it is you have to do a lot of people find their nerves disappear the longer they are performing so face the fear and do it anyway, imagine how amazing you will feel when you have finished!
Anonymous
June 29th, 2015 10:24pm
Tip: Bridge the familiar with the unfamiliar to overcome nerves: What has helped me is making eye contact with a friendly face in the audience in the middle, to the left and to the right of me and talking to them as if we where friends in a coffee shop together
originalLion57
June 4th, 2015 8:24pm
Know that it's natural and there's nothing wrong with feeling nervous, but try to do some breathing exercises before going up on stage.
WarmHeart22
April 17th, 2015 11:01pm
Take a deep breath and just do it as if nobody's actually watching. Pretend that nobody's there and just do it. Have the courage, I know you can do it.
FeatherIce25
April 9th, 2015 4:09am
Big oraters have accepted that at some point , the all faced stage fright. So it is normal. Have a clear head about your role / thing on the stage. Practice. Only you know you are nervous . Speak in a loud , clear and confident voice. Voila , you are done .
Anonymous
April 2nd, 2015 8:39pm
I found that getting used to being on stage and in the wings as much as possible before the show really helped me. Butterflies are totally normal, but make sure to not hold onto any negative thoughts that come into your head. Practising your parts in front of people you know can also help make it feel a little more natural! Before you go out, try a few breathing exercises, and go and dazzle them!
Jadie
March 15th, 2015 12:50am
Nerves on stage are a normal reaction - when you have the "fourth wall" removed and an audience to play out to, it's easy to start self-analyzing and to become more aware of how your surroundings directly affect you. I think it's important to acknowledge how you are feeling, because if you are upset about being nervous, it can create even more anxiety. For me, it helps to think about breathing, to pick out one point of focus in the audience instead of scanning a sea of faces, and to think of nerves as "extra energy" that can also have a positive effect - after all, it often brings about the same physiological reactions as excitement!
Anonymous
January 20th, 2015 5:37am
Think positively, try to breath in and out slowly, and try to let go of all the worries you may have.