Should I take fear of public speaking medication?

Thinking about fear of public speaking medication?  Consider these 5 points.

1. Medication can reduce the uncomfortable physiological signs of nervousness (heart rate increase, sweating, shakiness).

Three other approaches: learning effective presentation skills, controlling breathing, and developing helpful thinking patterns are proven non-medical strategies.

2. Beta  blockers, originally developed to control cardiac problems, are often effective and can usually be prescribed on an as needed basis.

Beta blockers inhibit the flow of adrenaline  in the body, reducing the physical symptoms of the stress response.  Your physician will help you decide whether medication is the best route for you, and can review any potential side effects.

It is often recommended that you try out the prescribed medication within a month before presenting. Additionally, stay away from alcohol and marijuana for at least a day before the talk. You may be more relaxed, but you likely won’t be a better speaker.

3. Consider a wellness routine including a healthy diet and exercise. Avoid caffeine, as it may increase your heart  rate and creamy food, which can make your mouth and throat area feel sticky.  Keep yourself hydrated and get enough sleep. If finances permit, indulge yourself with massage. Some massage therapists can even help relax face and jaw muscles.

4. Keep in mind that even helpful medication will not make you a better presenter. Find a class or a coach to add to your toolkit of best practices.

The most important skills to learn include how to prepare and practice, how to engage your listeners, and best practices in oral and nonverbal techniques.

5. Make sure you consult with the right type of professional. Physicians who have experience with speech and performance anxiety, along with a speech and communication coach, would be ideal. Your physician can help you decide if medication will be helpful, and your coach will help you to become a better presenter.

The good news is that speaking fears can be overcome and fear of public speaking medication may not be needed!

Spread the love

Author

MORE POSTS

Simple & Effective PowerPoint Strategies for Non-Technical Listeners

When presenting to non-technical listeners, remember that your PowerPoint slides should clarify and emphasize your key business points. As a presenter, you may think all the information on the slide is important, but do your listeners need to understand it? Avoid overcrowding them with text and complex charts. Remember, your listeners should be listening, rather than reading your slides. Here are four tips: Identify the main takeaway for each slide. Remove any unnecessary information. Add

Spread the love
Presenting technical information to non-technical listeners

Meaning Keeps Non-Technical Listeners Engaged

I recently met with a client who was concerned about presenting on a “dry topic”. His topic was full of data and technical concepts that he felt would bore the audience, and after hearing his first run through, he was correct. One of the best ways to present technical information to a non-technical audience is to focus on what data means, not on the data itself. For example, if you analyze the stat sheet of

Spread the love

Cross-Cultural Conversations: Why Do We Misunderstand Each Other?

The topic of misunderstanding has many angles to discuss; it’s hard to pick one — tone, choice of words, inflection, context, etc. Let’s look at teams that have members from other cultures. Now, remember, each group has its own culture, so when you see me use the word culture, it does not only mean different countries; it might mean other departments. The specific word I’ll focus on for this discussion is IDIOM. Definition an expression

Spread the love

QUESTIONS? NEED HELP?

Tell us what’s on your mind: