What if I suffer from bad anxiety?

There is nothing that we haven't heard before, most people fear presenting in front of groups small or large, so we asked experts in the field how they relax before the big event, and this is what they said:

• Picture yourself succeeding. Top atheletes visualise themselves crossing that winning line at their peak of physical performance, visualise yourself at your best, positively getting through the speaking engagement. Imagine yourself as resilient, see yourself as flexible, adaptable, and handling the presentation effectively even if things don't go as planned. Don't expect perfection, but do imagine yourself at your personal best.
  When you step up to the stage, take a moment to breathe, and create a safe place for yourself.

• Repeat positive affirmations. When walking up to the stage, go slowly, breathe, and say positive affirmations to yourself. Use words that are calming or empowering like "easy and effortless," "I trust myself," and "I'm well prepared."

• Create a warm and friendly environment. Make connections with the audience before you speak and during through eye contact. If you can send out warm, inviting energy, most people will respond in a positive way. Remember the audience is there for you and they want you to succeed.

• Take a moment and relax. Start by speaking slowly; the audience needs to get used to you voice and accent; anxiety makes us speak faster than normal, so take your time and conciously speak slower than you normally would.

• Practice deep breathing. Start by inhaling slowly through your nose -and as you inhale your stomach should expand outward. As you exhale through your mouth, your stomach flattens out. Start to breathe this way while you're waiting to speak. Practice it standing up. Take a nice, deep, breath. When you begin to exhale, start talking out loud

• And lastly, relax, enjoy the experience, it will get easier I promise!