So you are up there, about to do your stuff (speak, sing, play..) and you feel the nerves…what is going through your head? Probably a lot of self talk (‘they won’t like what I have to say…’ etc.). When we feel nervous our mind is most probably in the future (experiencing what we think is going to happen) or perhaps in the past, reliving past negative experiences. Here’s the thing – you cannot be nervous in the present. Your mind can time travel but your body cannot, it is always in the present. So, some tips you might find helpful in controlling that self talk:
1. Look up, you generally look down when engaged in self talk, looking up turns it off.
2. Look at what you can see/hear/smell (engage with your senses).
3. Be aware of your body (your breathing, your hands, your legs).
Cognitive Hypnotherapy can be extremely successful in overcoming nerves whether it be stage fright, public speaking or whatever it is.
