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When you’re nervous, your muscles lock up and your breathing gets irregular, which can negatively impact your performance. To counteract this, close your eyes and take big, deep breaths to relax. Hold the breath for 3-5 seconds, then slowly let it out. Stage fright is natural, and something that many performers struggle with. One thing not to do when you’re nervous is to run away from the feeling—that makes it seem even scarier. Instead, take a step back and look at your anxiety objectively. Tell yourself your nerves are normal and OK to have, and that they can even make you a better performer!  Being nervous isn’t something to be afraid of. It might not feel comfortable, but you know you’re strong enough to handle the discomfort and perform your best anyway. For example, you could tell yourself, “This is a big recital, so of course I’m nervous. That’s OK. I’m going to perform the best I can anyway.” with focused, positive thoughts about the performance. Being nervous means that you have adrenaline coursing through your body, and that can be a good thing before a big performance. Instead of allowing that adrenaline to run wild and make you nervous and worried, focus it into positive thoughts and actions to boost your confidence.  For example, you could channel your adrenaline into physical movement, such as drumming your fingers or nodding your head. You could also walk or even dance around to get out your jitters. Mentally, use your energy to acknowledge your worried thoughts, then turn towards excited, upbeat ones. Think about how hard you’ve worked for this, how excited you are, and how ready you feel. Many performers find that some healthy pre-show jitters give them the burst of adrenaline they need to give an amazing show. Embrace your nerves as a way to help you perform your best. Bad nerves can sometimes send you into a worry spiral that’s hard to break out of. Stop the cycle before it starts by first noticing when you begin to worry. Stop yourself and accept that you feel nervous, but that that feeling doesn’t have to control you.  For example, you might find yourself thinking something like, “I’m not prepared for this. I’m going to mess everything up.” Instead of continuing in this vein, say, “This just means I have some nerves. I practiced hard for this. It’s natural to be nervous, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to mess up.” If you’re worrying about past mistakes or failures, try saying to yourself, “I’ve worked hard since then and learned from mistakes. I’ve improved a lot, and now I get the chance to show it.” Sit or stand in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Picture yourself giving a great performance, and let yourself feel those emotions—confidence, strength, elation, and more. Letting that image fill you up will give you the boost of confidence you need to make it a reality. Positive visualization has been proven to improve performance in many different arenas, so give it a shot! You still might feel a rush of nerves when you step onstage. Instead of freezing up, channel that nervous energy into a big smile or an enthusiastic wave or gesture. This is a great way to cover up your anxiety while connecting with the audience.  If you’re a musician, you could smile, nod to the crowd, and walk briskly to your spot. In less formal settings, you could even jump around or run onstage. If you’re acting or giving a speech, walk on confidently and in character. If you’re dancing, walk onstage as you’ve rehearsed, smiling or looking confidently at the crowd if it matches the mood of your performance.
Breathe deeply to calm your body. Allow yourself to acknowledge and accept the nerves. Control your adrenaline Cut off repetitive worrying when you notice it. Try positive visualization and meditation to relax. Turn your nerves into enthusiasm once you’re onstage.