Overcome stage fright with these 4 tips

Even the most confident people suffer from stage fright from time to time. It’s normal to be nervous. But sometimes stage fright can completely ruin a performance. Whether you’re a dancer, singer or actor, learning how to overcome stage fright is vital if you want to be able to perform to the best of your ability. Unfortunately, there isn’t a magical solution. Every performer is different, and you’ll need to find techniques that work for your particular needs. Hopefully, these 4 tips will help you combat your fears!

1. Practice

One of the best things that you can do to conquer stage fright is to practice ferociously. If you know your lines, choreography or lyrics off-by-heart, it’s unlikely that you will make mistakes when you perform. Not only will this ensure your performance goes smoothly, it will also make you more confident in yourself and your abilities. Practising regularly will give you the opportunity to understand your weaknesses and improve them.

2. Breathing exercises

A powerful technique that will help you battle stage fright is breathing exercises. Deep breathing is a great way to relax your body, and it allows more oxygen to reach the brain. Begin by inhaling through both nostrils, making sure that you fill your entire lungs, then breathe out slowly.

3. Don’t focus on what could go wrong

Stop overthinking and making up negative scenarios in your head. Instead of focusing on all of the things that could go wrong, think about how excited you are to have the opportunity to perform. Remember why you wanted to perform in the first place because performing arts is your passion!

4. Take your time

When we’re nervous we tend to speed things up, which can increase the likelihood of making mistakes. Make sure that you take your time. Control your speed! Once you get used to your audience, you’ll start to feel more comfortable.