Helpful Article
Dealing With Nerves: How To Keep The Butterflies At Bay
You’ve just realized that you’re going to have to give a bridesmaid speech.
Your mouth is dry like the desert, you can feel your heart beating in your ears and your hands are shaking. You start to panic as you face your time in front of the microphone. You’re going to be giving a wedding speech, which means you’re going to have to speak in public…in front of people. Ack!
Is this the way it has to be? No, not at all!
Here are five suggestions that’ll empower you with a few strategies to overcome these type of reactions and chase away those pesky butterflies.
1. Breathe deeply. This will pull a lot of oxygen into your body. Adrenalin, which your body produces to help you deal with fear, makes your breathing become shallow. It can even cause you to hold your breath without realizing it. Deep breathing will help keep you mentally clear, and by deliberately slowing the pace of your breathing you’ll quickly ease the panic. Remember to breathe from your diaphragm, not your upper chest.
2. Pretend with a vengeance! Stand up straight. Keep your shoulders back and your chest out. Smile. You may not really feel happy or confident, but do it anyway. The important thing is you’ll look confident, and your posture and outlook will fool your brain into thinking it is. Have you ever heard the phrase, “fake it ’till you make it?” It works!
3. Keep your mouth and throat hydrated. Keep a drink handy while you’re speaking. See in your mind’s eye how you’ll use it if you need it. This will come across in your attitude as you take your place to speak, placing your glass just where you need it to be. Don’t be afraid to pause occasionally and take a sip.
4. Find a friendly face. In fact, find the friendliest face in the audience (perhaps someone you know), and pretend he/she the only person there. You’ll be cool as a cucumber.
5. Know that you’re prepared. Take advantage of every opportunity in the days leading up to your bridesmaid speech to prepare your material. Be familiar with your presentation. Memorize the most important parts, and parts you’re afraid of forgetting, especially the opening.
Remember, being nervous is natural. Use it to your advantage. Will you make mistakes? Probably. However, continuing to have confidence after your mistakes shows a great strength, and after a few minutes no one will remember the mistake anyway.
Above all, remember that the audience doesn’t know what you’re going to say, so you always have control. I promise, after the initial jitters subside, you’ll actually have a great time giving your bridesmaid speech!
Here’s a short video on this topic I think you’ll find informative and useful:
