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What is the best way to cope with your anxiety when you have to make a presentation?

Profile: TaylorK17
TaylorK17 on Mar 26, 2015
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I find the best way to cope is to just be prepared. You will find the presentation to be a lot easier when you are fully prepared with what you are going to say. It may take a little bit more work, but it is worth it. Both for your success and mental health.
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Profile: lucy1013
lucy1013 on May 12, 2015
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I like to take many deep breaths. Fill your chest completely with air. Close your eyes. I look at a friend in the crowd and pretend I am just giving the presentation to him or her. If I'm feeling anxious in the middle, I do not hesitate to slow down and go back to my deep breaths.
Profile: therapinto
therapinto on Mar 2, 2015
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If the anxiety is while preparing the presentation, go through a Powerpoint tutorial video on youtube so that you know all the animations and stuff that you can incorporate in your ppt to make is presentable. If the anxiety is due to "Stage fright" then you need to rehearse well if possible in front of your family or a group of friends. I am sure someone or the other will volunteer to be the audience of your rehearsal. You just need to know that when you are on the stage, you can say what you've come to day and no one will stop you from it.
Profile: friendlyJoy13
friendlyJoy13 on Jun 8, 2015
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i find making sure I'm well prepared for my presentation it helps reduces some of my anxiety. also try practising in front of friends or family..or even try recording yourself and then listening to it when your done to learn from your mistakes...and remember go easy on yourself and be realistic throughout the process! :)
Profile: caringSmiles20
caringSmiles20 on Jun 17, 2015
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Rehearse before your presentation. Rehearse in front of friends and peers. Rehearse in front of mirror. Practicing will lessen the anxiety at the time of the presentation. You can also do relaxation and breathing exercises. Just be yourself.
Profile: AaronWenny
AaronWenny on Jul 21, 2015
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Think about something which motivates you and could make you feel good and confident about yourself. In short, just be yourself. :)
Profile: soundsculptor
soundsculptor on Sep 1, 2015
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Tell yourself that what you fear to happen during your presentation probably wont happen. You may feel like fainting, but when you're anxious, the blood is being pumped to your brain at a higher rate, so that can't happen. You may also feel like throwing up, but that is also just a natural symptom, and most likely it wont happen.
Profile: GittleLeo
GittleLeo on Sep 28, 2015
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Make sure that it is a subject that you are passionate about, if not, make sure you prepare and figure out ways to make the subject interesting and if that doesn't work look at something straight head of you. Of course you can make note cards and power point slides to keep the audience from focusing on you by giving them something else to look at besides you.
Profile: SaturdaysChild
SaturdaysChild on Oct 28, 2015
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If you experience anxiety during actual presentation - you are too much "in your head". You are being self-conscious. You pay too much attention to what you say, to your body and your thoughts. You put this mental filter to what you "get out" you inhibit yourself. Get out of your head to a room where you are having a presentation.
Profile: IcedTea95
IcedTea95 on Oct 28, 2015
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Giving presentations is not easy. People who have anxiety may find presentations anxiety provoking. You may feel anxious about: 1) you may get anticipatory anxiety days/weeks before an actual presentation, or 2) you may experience anxiety when giving a presentation. For case 1, I know it is difficult because sometimes you just can't stop thinking about it. There are so many variables such as audience reactions, technical difficulties and sometimes questions you get from the audience. To feel like everything is under control, you may find practice useful. By practising, you gain confidence because you will have a better understanding of every detail in your presentation, allowing you to speak more fluently. You may also be worried about :"What if someone notices my anxiety?" or "What if I look bad on stage?". Sometimes you are worried that you will be judged. However, when you are listening to a presentation, you pay more attention to the content of the presentation, not the person giving the presentation, right? So remember, practice makes perfect :) For case 2, being in the spotlight can be scary. You may feel uncomfortable when everyone is looking at you, expecting you to give a great presentation. Rather than talking to a whole lot of people, try treat the presentation like a personal conversation. Try to make eye contact with a particular (group of) person- maybe someone you know, and you will find the it less challenging. Also keep in mind that you have done lots of preparation. :)
Profile: HelperMillie
HelperMillie on Oct 29, 2015
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I find that the easiest way to get a presentation done is to just know what your going into and get it over with. The truth is that nobody remembers a bad presentation, only the good ones. So if you stuff it up, Don't worry! I always make sure that i go first in presentation situations when there is more than one presenter, and i make sure i practice practice practice! I always feel awful after a presentation, and i know that i will probably always be very nervous around presenting n front of people. But i know that i can do it, even if it feels like the world is going to end. This probably didn't help at all, but at least i tried, right?
Profile: blazingwolf
blazingwolf on Nov 2, 2015
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Think of being with the person of your dreams and having a good time. Think about the ideal you you want to become in an another world. Think about things you love and you achieving them. I highly recommend to think about spending good time with the person of your dreams, works a lot for me ;)
Profile: TheUnusalInk
TheUnusalInk on Nov 2, 2015
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make sure you are prepared properly. try to get passionate about your subject, it helps to get more confident at continuos talking if you get stuck !
Profile: caringIceCream67
caringIceCream67 on Nov 16, 2015
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Prepare well before hand, practice in front of someone, and believe that u knw wht u r about say, and others knw nothing about it.
Profile: divinewillpower86
divinewillpower86 on Jan 4, 2016
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A presentation is connected with show off. Its as simple as selling things on road/in a shop. Presentation is just like modelling. Show that you are the Best and grab the opportunity! Thinking makes difference. When we get away from the fear of What... then we say YES why not????
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Mar 1, 2016
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When I make a presentation, I focus on the material - what I have to present about - and I look for a familiar object, say a teacher, and force myself to go on. To focus on one thing instead of the audience. That or pretend they're not there.
Profile: playfulBeauty22
playfulBeauty22 on Apr 26, 2016
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Many people find visualization helpful. If you know you have an upcoming presentation, work on visualizing yourself in the situation, as a preparation. You might feel the feelings of anxiety. Then what you do is try to shift it, vizualise yourself doing the presentation feeling entirely comfortable and confident. Do this visualization for 5-10 minutes everyday and with time you will notice a shift in how you feel when you do a presentation.
Profile: riverscene13
riverscene13 on May 31, 2016
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The best thing you can do is eliminate exaggerated fear. If you feel like they're staring at you, judging you, look around you and see that it's really alright. Practice on acting like the rest of them and realize your not really that different. Calm yourself with your breathing with relaxation techniques and practice until it comes easily to you. You don't have to look directly at them but maybe look right above them.
Profile: SAFE8HAVEN
SAFE8HAVEN on Jun 20, 2016
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Deep breaths and thinking of everyone as your friends. You grew up with these people. It's going to be OK
Profile: meghan3
meghan3 on Aug 2, 2016
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Doing meditation - especially one that emphasizes focus - has always helped me before a presentation. That will help you get your heart rate down, clear your head, and help you focus on only the presentation. The last thing you need is for all your other stresses and anxieties to creep in when you're already out of your comfort zone! I also find it the most helpful to be as prepared as possible. Know what you're presenting through and through so that you feel confident in yourself and your knowledge.
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