How to be less stage-frightened

I would like to share with you some useful tips that help me feel less nervous about upcoming speeches.

Exaggerate your symptoms. It is a very interesting technique, which I have heard of years ago. One actress shared how she managed to control herself and feel less nervous. She said that before her performances she made herself as much nervous as she could, stimulating symptoms and pretending to be horrified. Afterwards nothing seemed too scary. I tried this and it needed to be trained. It started helping after several trials, I faced the worst feelings and thoughts, got rid of my negative emotions and then I felt emptier and calmer. I could not be afraid anymore and the reality contrasted with my previous condition. The balance came and positive emotions substituted negative. 

Breathing exercises are not the most effective, but the easiest and always working way to reduce your stress and feel better.

Dress up – certainly we all feel more confident and comfortable being nicely dressed and having a new hair cut! 

Playing the whole scene in your head  – sometimes I imagine the situation and rehearse. It really makes me more confident and ready to react.

Expressing your negative feelings on the paper - it works sometimes even better than sharing my problems with people. I write down what I feel, exaggerate and try to be completely honest. Some phrases need to be written more than once. 

I hope you'll find it interesting and useful. Wonder what tips are the best for you?