Page 31 - The EDGE Summer 2024

Presenting When You Are Too Nervous to Present
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causes breathlessness and a shaky voice. The extra presenter, or be part of a panel. And finally,
energy also causes you to tremble. improve your self talk. Rather than thinking “I’ll
always be terrible at public speaking”, try “I’ve
If the brain perceives that the threat is ongoing, struggled with public speaking in the past, but I
it alerts the pituitary gland to signal the release get better each time I practice”.
of cortisol, the stress hormone. Cortisol tells your
body to stay on high alert and triggers the release Some solutions for calming the physiological
of glucose (sugar) for more energy. It also slows response include bringing more tranquility
down functions that would be nonessential in a fight into your everyday life. Using techniques like
or flight situation, such as the prefrontal cortex controlled breathing, grounding, mindfulness, and
(leading to brain fog), and digestion including exercise can help your body learn how to be in a
your salivary glands (leading to dry mouth and calm state, so that it is easier to return there when
nauseousness). As a final protective measure, your you are in a stressful situation. There are also
brain’s hippocampus stores the memory of the medications and non-prescription supplements that
event so that it can be avoided in the future. This may help reduce anxiety. Many non-prescription
amazing system works so well when there is an supplements help support the levels of GABA in
actual life-threatening situation but works against your brain. GABA is a naturally occurring amino
you when it comes to public speaking, which is acid. Research has shown that low GABA can lead
only a perceived threat. So where can you turn for to significant anxiety.
help?
Glossophobia doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all
There are several strategies to calm psychological solution, but there are techniques to help manage
stress response. One is known as reframing. Did it. Allowing glossophobia to define you can
you know that your body has the same physical hinder your career progression and prevent you
response to rollercoasters as it does to public from sharing your unique knowledge or talents.
speaking? The same people that will go out of their Commit to exploring some of the solutions shared
way to avoid a presentation might pay hundreds in this article to find what works best for you.
of dollars to spend the day at a theme park. Remember, glossophobia is nothing to be ashamed
Reframing is a method of changing the way you of; it’s simply your brain giving you extra energy.
look at public speaking. Instead of thinking “I’m Channel the energy into delivering an engaging
so nervous,” try “I have so much energy because performance and know that more than half of
I’m excited to share this information!” Some other your audience will understand exactly how you
techniques include cognitive behavioral therapy are feeling.
and hypnotherapy, both of which involve working
with a therapist to overcome the root cause of the
fear. Exposure therapy involves putting yourself Lari Staples, Executive Director, Mohave Cooperative, can
in the situation to reduce the fear over time. Some be reached at: (928) 718-3210 or lari@mesc.org
tips to be successful are to start small with friendly
groups, co-present with a more experienced

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