The fear of public speaking is widespread among people of all ages and backgrounds. People experience this fear with varying degrees of severity, from butterflies in their stomachs to full-on panic attacks. The fear of public speaking can be extremely debilitating, holding you back from opportunities to grow your success and share your story with the world.

While stage fright is a natural response, it is also possible to overcome. With mental health resources like BetterHelp and techniques to make public speaking more accessible, you can get beyond your fear to unlock your potential. As you make use of these resources and strategies, you’ll find yourself speaking with confidence and opening yourself up to opportunities beyond your imagination.

1. Why do we get stage fright?

The fear of public speaking often stems from a lack of self-confidence and a fear of being judged by others. We imagine that we will mess up and embarrass ourselves or that people won’t like the message we’re speaking about.

When we experience this fear of judgment or ridicule, our brains come to understand public speaking as a dangerous situation. In this case, our brains cannot tell the difference between a situation that puts us in physical danger and one that threatens our sense of self-worth.

The brain then activates the classic fight, flight, or freeze responses. This is the reason you may feel sick to your stomach, have the urge to run off stage, or feel like you are paralyzed when speaking publicly.

2. How to Overcome the Fear of Public Speaking

To overcome your brain’s response to public speaking as a dangerous situation, you will need to convince your brain that you are safe. You can do that by using several strategies to make public speaking a more accessible and comfortable experience.

One effective strategy to make public speaking a more accessible and comfortable experience is by enrolling in public speaking training at Thought Leader, where you can gain valuable skills and confidence to reassure your brain that you are safe in front of an audience.

3. Know Your Material

One incredibly nerve-wracking aspect of public speaking is the opportunity for people to ask you questions that you can’t answer. If this happens, you may feel like you’ve failed or like you’re an impostor.

If you’re nervous about this possibility, read up as much as possible on your material. Instead of simply worrying about what might happen, taking steps to prepare yourself will make you feel better. Your brain will recognize that you are taking steps to prepare for the possibility of danger and thus feel more protected.

4. Prepare in Advance

Another way to show your brain that you are safe when public speaking is to prepare for the event in advance. Get out your clothes the night before, or even the week before. Bring any visual aids or papers you’ll need. Bring extra backups just in case. Pack your bag with everything you think you might need.

As you go about preparing for the event slowly and calmly, you will help your brain understand that this is not an emergency and that it is a challenge you are prepared to take on. It can also help you imagine your situation ahead of time and prepare mentally for any possibilities that might arise.

5. Practice, Practice, Practice

The more you practice your presentation or speech, the easier it will be when the time comes. When giving your address becomes more accessible, it won’t seem as dangerous and won’t elicit a dangerous response in your brain. In addition, practicing will decrease the likelihood of making any mistakes that might throw you off and activate your stage fright in the middle of your speech.

6. Work on Your Confidence

If a lack of self-confidence is one of the reasons for your stage fright, addressing the roots of this issue can help. Identify any negative beliefs you may have about yourself that relate to public speaking. Then examine these beliefs and look for evidence against them.

If you believe you can’t give a good presentation, think about times you have succeeded in presenting something or in any public speaking before. If you believe you aren’t knowledgeable enough, remind yourself of the research and preparation you’ve done for this presentation.

7. Seek Help

For some people, stage fright can be extremely severe and hard to deal with through these strategies alone. If this is the case for you, seek the support of a mental health professional. Your stage fright may be a symptom of anxiety, panic disorder, or another disorder that a professional can help treat.

Even if you’re not sure whether your stage fright is severe enough, it can be a good idea to seek help. You may decide that therapy or counseling isn’t for you, but exploring the possibility can help you access any resources you might need and find strategies for dealing with your stage fright.