Anxiety disorders are one of the most common types of mental health disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Specific phobias, such as social anxiety or agoraphobia, are fears in which you have an intense, irrational fear of something that is not actually dangerous. Communication anxiety is also known as speech anxiety or communication apprehension. It is the fear of public speaking and one of the most well-known and common phobias.
Practice
Practicing what you want to say in front of an audience helps you to feel prepared and confident. Grab any opportunity to speak in public. This may seem scary at first but the more you do it, the more assured and secure you'll feel. According to Toastmasters International, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people become more confident in their public speaking skills, you should practice your speech out loud as often as possible. If you can, try to practice the speech in the setting where it will be given. Focus on breathing and speaking at a normal conversational speed.
Develop Your Self-Esteem
People who suffer from low self-esteem are more likely to be self-critical. If you have low self-esteem, you probably have a negative self-image. You may be fearful of your public because you imagine them laughing or jeering at you if you make a mistake. Realize that your audience wants you to succeed. No one is rooting for you to mess up. Developing your self-esteem can help you to become more confident and self-assured. According to the Mayo Clinic, pinpoint your negative or inaccurate thoughts. Try to replace them with more positive and encouraging ones, such as "People want me to succeed" or "I can handle this."
Be Realistic
Don't put too much pressure on yourself to do it perfectly. Overcoming the fear of public speaking is not an easy task. Having unrealistic expectations will make you feel pressured and anxious. According to Toastmasters, it is likely that no one will notice if you make a few tiny errors.
Relax
Keep a relaxed attitude and posture. Tensing your muscles will only make you feel more tense. Focus on taking deep breaths. Remember to pause at appropriate moments during your speech. According to Toastmasters, you can help yourself relax by addressing your audience during the introduction to your speech. Say hello and introduce yourself. Greeting your audience and talking about yourself helps to calm your nerves and gives you time to adjust to being at the podium.
