Nerves vs. Excitement: How To Manage Nerves And Perform At Your Best

Published on: 30 April 2021 Last Updated on: 10 September 2024
Nerves vs. Excitement

Anyone who has ever been called to come and speak or perform in front of a public gathering knows the importance of holding nerves.

From the time we are in school, some of us have dreaded raising our hands and speaking out the right answer even though we know what we are.

We have looked at astonishment at so-called confident individuals and wondered what makes them do things that we cannot.

Common terms like ‘performance anxiety, ‘stage fright’, ‘nervousness’, etc. are all common emotions and feelings that we harbor. The key is- how do we overcome the same?

In this resource article, we are going to help a lot of people come to grips with their nerves. If you are someone who dreads talking in front of a crowd, we recommend that you stick around till the end of the article.

Being ‘Nervous’ Versus Being ‘Excited’- How a Change in Terms Can Help:

‘I am too nervous; I can’t go out there and speak’!

According to leading psychologists, a simple interchanging of the terms nervous and excited can go a long way in dispelling the fear.

Rather than say or think that you are getting the nervous try and say to yourself that you are feeling excited. What you need to understand is that nervousness is associated with being a negative feeling. On the other hand, excitement is something that is deemed to be positive.

This simple exercise wires your brain in a specific way, which then lets the body flow from the same feeling. For example, as soon as your brain starts comprehending that you are nervous, it sends a signal to your body, which then results in stomach pains and churnings.

This is why you need to start feeling excited and look forward to the opportunity. There is a lot of energy that builds up in the body in such situations. The key is to effectively manage the same productively and positively.

The ‘Fight’ and ‘Flight’ Instinct that Defines a Nervous State of Being:

The ‘Fight’ and ‘Flight’ Instinct that Defines a Nervous State of Being:

To understand these better leading scientists have spoken about the ‘Fight and Flight Syndrome’. They point out that whenever the brain is faced with a complex and problematic situation, it does one of two things-

  • It either wants to escape and run away from the scenario. Or,
  • It starts to swing madly to bring the situation under control.

However, in some instances, and I am sure, you are going to relate to this, the brain goes into a hung position. Meaning, it neither fights nor flights. In this situation, the resultant action is a freeze! You get frozen and cannot do anything.

According to experts, the fight or flight instinct needs to be properly managed by telling your brain some important things. What are those things?

In very simple words, not every such scenario is going to be a life and death one. Meaning it is not at all serious and does not amount to anything. Once your brain can understand this, it starts processing emotions and feelings differently. Following this, it then sends these signals to the rest of your body.

List of 5 Important Ways to Help Overcome Nervousness-

In this section, we compile the top recommendations from the leading mental health experts to combat nervousness-

1. Undertake Adequate Preparation-

According to scientists, 50% of all nervousness results from inadequate preparedness. This means that the more you are prepared, the lower will be your levels of nervousness.

Reflect on your school days. Remember when did not know the answers to the question the teacher was asking, how you would try to avoid making eye contact? However, if you were prepared, you would not do the same. Practice makes perfect when it comes to combating nervousness.

2. Focus on ‘You’ providing Value to the Audiences-

Whenever we are nervous, we keep thinking about ourselves. However, the key in this regard is to shift focus to the audiences that are sitting right in front of you. Start thinking of all the value, information, education, and enjoyment that you are going to give to the audiences.

This will put you in comfortable headspace. Let me in you on a little secret. Audiences want everything should be about them. So, you can simply shift the spotlight on them.

3. Take Help from your Friends and Family Members-

Leading comedians and artists have pointed out how having their near and dear ones in the audience helps them overcome stage fright.

This is a simple, yet effective solution to combating nervousness on stage. Many also point out how they keep looking for their near ones in the audience and use them to make eye contact with different sections of the audience. This boosts their confidence and makes their brain understand the support there is on offer.

4. Breathe, Relax and Take it Easy-

Remember, this is not a life-and-death situation. No one is perfect and even the best ones make mistakes. Once you can tune your brain accordingly, you will be able to get a hold of your nerves.

Try breathing and being patient at all times. You can do mistakes, it is alright. Realize that you’ve done the work. The more relaxed you are, the better will you be able to convey. There will always be errors, and you should not worry about making them.

5. Engage with Positive Relaxation Techniques-

In the last few years, relaxation strategies like Yoga, Massages, Aromatherapy, etc. have become very popular. They help channel positive energy within the body and calms down the senses.

Regular meditation is great for your body mentally, as well as physically. By making such healthy practices a part of your daily life, you will be able to control your emotions in a much better way. Try meditating for 15 minutes every morning and see the difference.

The Final Word:

At the end of the day, you need to realize that we are all humans. We have a range of emotions, feelings, and characteristics that make us special in our way.

No two individuals are the same and we must acknowledge the same. By paying attention to all the pointers in the article, you too can expect to combat nervousness and be better prepared for the next time you face the audience.

Read Also:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Tonsillitis Treatment

Tonsillitis Treatment Without Antibiotics: What You Need to Know

Tonsillitis, a common condition characterized by inflammation of the tonsils, can be incredibly uncomfortable and disruptive to daily life. Antibiotics have historically been the first line of treatment when treating tonsillitis. However, a growing number of people are looking for alternate ways to manage this illness due to worries about side effects and antibiotic resistance. This blog will address vital topics, including the cost of tonsil removal surgery in the UK and the recuperation period for adults after tonsillectomy. It will also look into the options available for treating tonsillitis. An Overview of Tonsillitis Condition Most often, bacterial or viral illnesses result in tonsillitis. Frequent signs and symptoms include fever, swollen glands, sore throat, trouble swallowing, and occasionally yellow or white spots on the tonsils. Antibiotic treatment is often necessary for bacterial tonsillitis to avoid complications like strep throat or a peritonsillar abscess. However, viral tonsillitis typically goes away independently with rest and supportive care. How To Cure Tonsillitis Without Antibiotics 1. Home Remedies Using home treatments like drinking warm liquids like herbal teas or broths, gargling with salt water, and using throat lozenges or sprays to relieve irritation are common ways to get relief from tonsillitis symptoms. Also, ensuring adequate hydration and relaxation can bolster the body's inbuilt defense mechanism against the infection. 2. Herbal Remedies Herbal treatments with anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting qualities, like slippery elm, licorice root, and echinacea, may help reduce the symptoms of tonsillitis. But before using herbal supplements, you should always speak with a doctor, particularly if you have underlying medical issues or are on other prescriptions. 3. Pain Management Acetaminophen or ibuprofen, two over-the-counter pain medications, can help lower tonsillitis-related fever and pain. Aspirin should not be given to youngsters due to the risk of Reye's syndrome; instead, it is crucial to abide by the prescribed dosage requirements. 4. Warm Compresses Applying a warm compress to the neck can help ease throat discomfort and reduce swelling of the tonsils. 5. Humidifiers Using a humidifier in the bedroom can add moisture to the air, which may help soothe a sore throat and alleviate dryness. 6. Probiotics Probiotics are good bacteria that are included in yogurt and other fermented foods. Some studies show they can strengthen the immune system and lessen the intensity and length of tonsillitis symptoms. 7. Avoiding Irritants It's essential to avoid irritants such as cigarette smoke, pollution, and dry air, as these can exacerbate symptoms and prolong recovery. Even though these treatments can help with tonsillitis symptoms, it's essential to keep a careful eye on your illness and consult a doctor if symptoms intensify or last longer than a few days. Tonsil Removal Surgery Cost UK A tonsillectomy is frequently advised when the tonsillitis is severe or recurring and does not improve with other therapies. A tonsillectomy is a surgical treatment usually carried out under general anesthesia to remove the tonsils. The price of tonsil removal surgery varies in the UK based on several variables, including the particular hospital or clinic, the surgeon's fees, and other medical costs.  The National Health Service (NHS) reports that about 40,000 tonsillectomies are carried out in England annually. The frequency and intensity of tonsillitis episodes, the procedure's possible dangers and advantages, and the effect on one's quality of life are often considered while removing one's tonsils surgically. Before having tonsil removal surgery, reviewing the possible expenses and financing options with your insurance company and healthcare practitioner is crucial to ensure you know what to expect financially. Tonsillectomy Recovery in Adults The length of recovery following a tonsillectomy can vary based on a patient's age, general health, and surgical complexity. Adults may require a more extended recovery following a tonsillectomy, although children typically recover more rapidly. It's normal to have ear pain, swallowing difficulties, and throat pain during the early stages of rehabilitation. To help with discomfort relief and healing, your healthcare practitioner might advise a soft diet and give painkillers. It's critical to carefully adhere to post-operative care guidelines, including drinking enough water, avoiding physically demanding activities, and obtaining lots of rest. After a tonsillectomy, most adults can return to regular activities in two weeks, though complete recovery may take several weeks. Attending all your follow-up sessions with your healthcare practitioner is essential to tracking your recovery and addressing any issues. Conclusion Although tonsillitis has historically been treated primarily with antibiotics, other non-antibiotic methods exist for treating this ailment. Herbal therapies, home cures, and supportive care techniques can all aid in symptom relief and healing.  In cases where tonsillitis is recurrent or severe, a tonsillectomy may be necessary. Comprehending the possible expenses and recuperation duration linked to tonsil excision surgery is crucial to making well-informed choices regarding available treatments. People can efficiently cure tonsillitis and reduce the risk of complications by looking into non-antibiotic treatments and, where necessary, contemplating surgical options. Always see a healthcare expert for individualized advice and treatment recommendations based on your unique needs and circumstances. Read Also: Integrating Therapy And Activities In Residential Treatment Benefits Of Early Detection And Treatment Of Alzheimer’s Disease Navigating Depression Treatment In Brooklyn: Your Options

READ MOREDetails
Banish Acne Scars

8 Home Remedies to Banish Acne Scars and Discoloration for Good (Info-graphic )

If your blemishes leave behind discolorations or scars, you're not alone. Acne scarring is a problem that afflicts many teens and adults. When a pimple heals, the body produces collagen to repair the damaged skin. If the body doesn't produce the correct amount of collagen, a scar forms. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to minimize acne scarring, ranging from tea tree oil to lemon juice. Here are a few of the best natural remedies for acne scars. Honey If you're dealing with leftover inflammation from your last breakout, honey is a great way to speed up the healing process. Honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce the size of current acne and stimulate healthy healing. If you decide to use honey as a topical treatment, make sure you only use raw, unprocessed honey. Honey that's been treated may not have the necessary acne-fighting properties. Then apply a thin layer of honey to the face, and leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly when you're done. Aloe Vera Aloe vera is famous for its soothing properties, but it can also help to repair the skin. That's because it promotes healthy collagen formation. If the body produces the correct amount of collagen during the healing process, it's likely to result in a smaller, less noticeable scar. To use aloe vera as a scar reduction treatment, simply apply a pure aloe vera liquid to existing scars once a day. You should see an improvement within a few weeks. Lemon Juice Like all citrus fruits, lemons are chock full of Vitamin C. Because Vitamin C is known to stimulate collagen production, a healthy dose of lemon juice can reduce the appearance of acne scarring. If you want to get the most benefit out of your lemon juice, squeeze a few drops of lemon juice into a cotton ball. Swipe the cotton ball over the affected areas, and then leave the juice on the skin for ten minutes. Wash the juice off afterward. Due to its acidity, it can irritate the skin if left on too long. Tea Tree Oil If you're dealing with persistent acne, you should try tea tree oil. This natural acne-fighting option has potent antibacterial and antioxidant properties, which can help get rid of existing acne and leftover acne scars. To use tea tree oil for acne scarring, place a few drops of tea tree oil onto a cotton swab and then rub the oil into the scarred areas. Tea tree oil can be irritating to sensitive skin, so do a spot check before using it all over your face. Apple Cider Vinegar Apple cider vinegar is a well-known natural disinfectant, and it's a popular ingredient in many acne-fighting remedies. It not only helps to get rid of existing acne, however, it can also help diminish the appearance of acne scars. It can be used as a natural exfoliator, helping the skin shed dead skin cells. This speeds up the healing process. If you want to use apple cider vinegar for acne scarring, swipe a teaspoon-sized amount of vinegar onto the scars. Leave it on the skin for ten minutes, and then rinse. Shea Butter If you have acne-prone skin, you may be using a number of harsh, acne-fighting ingredients, like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. While these ingredients can help get rid of acne, they can also leave it feeling dry, dull, and irritated. Skin can't repair itself, however, if it's not hydrated and healthy. Shea butter contains antioxidants and fatty acids, which can help skin repair itself. It also offers the skin a healthy dose of hydration. When skin is healthier, it is better able to heal itself. Since purchasing a raw shea butter product from your local health food store, and apply it to the skin once or twice a day. Fresh Tomato Facial Tomatoes have used in DIY acne treatments for years, and for good reason. The tomato can do everything from exfoliating the skin to provide it with antioxidant protection. It can also help to fade and eliminate leftover acne scars. That's because tomatoes contain nutrients like potassium and iron, which can help to minimize scar formation. To get the best results from your tomato skin treatment, use a blender to puree a fresh tomato. Apply the mixture to the skin, and let it sit for 20 minutes. You can also take fresh tomato slices and rub the juice into the skin. Emu Oil Emu oil is known to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It's also packed with omega fatty acids, which penetrate deep into the skin to deliver much-needed nourishment. To use emu oil to treat your leftover scars, simply rub a small amount of the oil into the scarred areas once or twice a day. This hydrating oil is beneficial to the skin, and you don't need to worry about rinsing it off afterward. You can leave it on overnight to enhance its efficacy. There are many natural ways to reduce post-acne scarring and pigmentation. From hydrating oils to natural extracts, these at-home remedies are a great way to help the skin heal. Your skin will be looking as good as new in no time! 8 Home Remedies to Banish Acne Scars ( Infographic) If you want to know more about how you can make most of the natural power, here is an infographic, 10 Fantastic Herbs to Fight Acne, brought to you by beskinhost.com. Read also: Top 4 Natural Combination For You To Eliminate Blackheads (Infographics)

READ MOREDetails
Marijuana Addiction

Marijuana Addiction Treatment: 5 Steps to Avoid Relapse

As told by science and modern research, marijuana addiction is a chronic illness, and like any other chronic disease – hypertension, diabetes, asthma – long-term treatment is needed. However, marijuana addiction always has a possibility of relapse. The relapse rates of substance use disorders are between 40% and 60%, which are highly comparable to other chronic medical conditions. However, don’t be under the impression that relapse can’t be prevented just because it's common. An alcohol or drug relapse can quickly waste a lot of rehab work and can also be fatal. But don’t worry. If you’re struggling or if you know someone who’s struggling to avoid a relapse, then continue reading this article to learn about the steps you can do to prevent it from happening. Marijuana Addiction Treatment: 5 Steps to Avoid Relapse: Stages of Relapse: You should know that relapse does not happen overnight; it’s a process. For you to understand how to avoid relapse, you’ll have to know its three stages. Relapse begins a few weeks or months earlier before it reaches its final stage. Here are the three stages of relapse: Emotional relapse – In this stage, your mind does not consider using marijuana again. However, your behavior and emotions are setting you up for a possible marijuana relapse. Here are some signs of an emotional relapse: Poor sleep and eating habits Isolation Anxiety Defensiveness Intolerance Mood swings Anger Mental relapse – It this stage, your mind will be torn about the dos and don'ts. There will be a part of you that wants to use marijuana, but there’s also a part of you that doesn’t. In the early stage of mental relapse, you’d idly think about using it again, and this gets worse as the mental relapse continues. The signs of mental relapse are: Lying Fantasizing Thinking about relapse Glorifying past use Hanging out with friends that use Physical relapse – In this final stage, you’d be physically using marijuana again. Some people only use once after realizing that they’ve made a mistake and try to focus again on recovery and moving forward. Unfortunately, there are others that will continue to use. In such a case, getting help is the best option. Avoiding Relapse: Here are 5 steps to avoid marijuana relapse: 1. Know and identify how to manage relapse triggers: Relapse triggers can be anything. They can come from a similarly scented substance or simply just being with people that use. The triggers can also be a specific place, person, or emotion. These things can make you crave, think about, and use alcohol or drugs. You can easily identify these triggers with the help of therapy sessions. A relapse therapist can teach you effective ways to cope up with triggers, keeping you away from drugs or alcohol when your cravings are fortuitously triggered. There are treatment centers in Los Angeles that provide recovery services, such as Nexus Recovery; these services can help you identify and manage relapse triggers and monitor your progress. Here are some tips to manage or avoid triggers: Change your daily route and avoid passing through places that cause a trigger. Keep a list of people you can call when you’re feeling triggered. Practice relaxation techniques. Avoid triggering situations such as becoming stressed, lonely, tired, or hungry. 2. Follow a healthy lifestyle: Avoiding relapse needs long-term commitment, and this commitment includes building a new and healthier lifestyle. This can be a long and difficult process, but making significant lifestyle changes has been seen to decrease the risk of relapse. These lifestyle changes include learning and utilizing healthy coping methods for mental pressure and negative emotions, recognizing and managing mental illnesses if any, and promoting positive activities such as meditation, exercise, and art. Here are some healthy lifestyle ideas: Avoid having too much caffeine or sugar. Plan and prepare healthy snacks and meals in advance to avoid becoming hungry. Write a journal and keep track of your mood and daily thoughts. Be active. Engage in sports or work out. Drink plenty of water. Practice gratitude. Find a new hobby. 3. Use appropriate medications: With the ever-evolving addiction research, the development of medications that help patients to avoid relapse and manage their cravings was made possible. These medications, such as buprenorphine and methadone, when adequately used under supervision, can significantly decrease cravings and relapse urges. For some, taking these medications is the key to their relapse prevention and recovery. Talk to your doctor about taking such medications. 4. Undergo long-term treatment: Just like any other chronic disease, your recovery will not be quick and easy, especially when recovering from substance abuse. Doing two months of therapy or medication will not guarantee that you’ll not start using it again. For better long-term results, getting involved in an intensive treatment within a suitable period of time will surely help you. Participation and engagement in long-term addiction treatments have been known to help decrease the risk of relapse. A study involving more than a thousand patients found out that relapse rates decreased for patients who had continuous treatments, aftercare, and support group engagement. 5. Get a support group: It’s essential to know that going through the process alone may not provide desirable outcomes in recovery. Keep your supportive friends, loved ones, and family close. Do your best to surround yourself with people who really care for you and people who don’t use drugs or alcohol. A crucial factor in your road to recovery is social support; it can significantly help you to recover fast and resist relapsing. Here are some tips on how to create a good support network: Engage in recovery groups – You can search the Internet for marijuana recovery groups near your area, such as Marijuana Anonymous. Find a sponsor – A sponsorship is one recovering person sharing and talking to another recovering person. You will attend recovery group meetings regularly, discuss issues on the recovery, and work on recovering together. See a mental health or addiction counselor. Closing Thoughts: If you're under treatment or recovering from substance abuse, you should be realistic and understand that a relapse can occur anytime. However, you should also do your best to avoid it by following these steps. In addition to these, always make sure to work with your counselor or therapist in developing an effective relapse plan. By following this plan in case of a relapse, you will be able to minimize its negative consequences. Read Also: How Does Smoking Weed Affect The Society How Does Recreational Marijuana Affect Your Sex Life

READ MOREDetails