What is Stage Fright and How do we overcome it?
- casalinm
- 1 dic 2021
- Tempo di lettura: 4 min
Aggiornamento: 13 dic 2021
Stage Fright is real and can impair all poets. Through this article we will talk about the different causes of stage freight and different ways to get passed it and get your confidence pumping!
What is Stage Fright and How do we overcome it?
As a member of our TCD Slam Poetry Club, we all love poems and want to improve our writing skills or listen to others’ beautiful words.
We hold Open Mic Events and a Monthly Poetry Competition. We'd like to give our people a stage to show our excellent work.
Hold on…
Some people might be worried about going onto a stage and speaking in front of their friends or classmates?
That happens…
Afraid of being on stage?
NO WORRIES, we’ve all been there.
In this article, we will learn what stage fright is and some ways to overcome it.
Read the article and enjoy the stage!
What is Stage Fright?
Stage fright is the fear of going on stage and performing, whether that’s speaking, acting, singing, dancing, or any other kind of activity that takes place in front of an audience. Stage fright is a persistent phobia where an individual is scared of performing whether it’s in front of a camera or an audience in general.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Stage fright may co-occur with Social Anxiety Disorder. Social Anxiety Disorder, or SAD, is characterized by irrational anxiety, fear, and distress surrounding social interactions.
An individual with SAD may feel that other people are judging them or they may fear an encounter with a situation where they might be embarrassed. Symptoms can include heart palpitations, blushing, trembling, nausea, stuttering or stammering, and social isolation.
Some people with SAD may engage in substance abuse or other harmful behaviors in an attempt to curb anxiety. If your stage fright is comorbid with an anxiety disorder, it’s important to seek help for that condition as well. You might be experiencing anxiety and panic attacks.
If you’re having trouble managing them, you need to speak to a mental health professional.
Does Stage Fright Mean You're Shy?
There’s a myth that a person with stage fright is shy or introverted. That is not the truth.
People who are both extroverted and introverted, outgoing and shy, get stage fright. It doesn’t have to do with how comfortable you are around people in other social settings. Instead, it has to do with performance anxiety specifically.
Other factors, such as perfectionism or anxiety, may contribute to stage fright, but it is a fear that is specific to presenting in front of an audience.
Famous people have stage fright, which means that the condition isn't due to a lack of talent or even an absence of experience on stage. Many different factors cause stage fright.
Causes of Stage Fright
Stage fright isn’t as transparent as it sounds. People are afraid to get on stage for a variety of reasons. There are many potential causes of stage fright, but one of the most common is that a person lacks confidence in a specific area.
Maybe they're an actor who is afraid that they’ll mess up and forget their lines, or a guitarist who is fearful that they’ll mess up while playing their instrument.
Perhaps, someone is self-conscious about their appearance or their speaking voice. It doesn’t mean that there’s anything wrong with you as an individual. Stage fright is a common issue, and with work, it is something that can improve or even dissipate over time.
How do we deal with it?
What can you do if you have stage fright, but you want to be able to perform on stage?
It doesn’t have to hold you back from pursuing your passion or achieving your goals. One thing that you try is mindfulness techniques. Practice mindful breathing and remember that anxiety does end. Focus on a point in the room. It doesn’t have to be a person, it could just be a spot on the wall, and most of all, remember that this moment will end!
Keep your anxious thoughts in check and remember that you are in control of the situation. It’s not about being judged. It’s about getting the job done. It can also help to practice what you need to do in front of the audience. If you feel prepared, your anxiety may decrease.
Staying away from things that could elevate your symptoms of anxiety, such as caffeine or other stimulants can be helpful. It can also be helpful to practice deep breathing or relaxation techniques before going on stage.
In severe cases, medication can be prescribed for stage fright. Know that you are in control and that this is a temporary feeling.
Online therapy is an excellent place to talk about your stage fright. An online counselor cares about your fears and wants to resolve them. You might not know the origin of why you’re scared, but when speaking to your therapist, you’ll be able to identify where your performance anxiety is stemming from and work through your fears.
You don’t have to suffer alone with being afraid to get on stage. An online counselor can help you get to the root cause of them, and help you find ways to work through them.
Stage fright can also be caused by a fear of public speaking. As we’ve seen in the article, not everyone feels confident about their voice and this may result in public speaking issues and stage fright.
We got you covered for this, take a look at the article “10 tips to improve your public speaking skills” and master this skill!
Feel like you’re ready to overcome your stage fright? Give it a go in our next Open Mic Events, check them out and sign up through the button below!
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