How to control nerves.
If we had a pound for every time people asked us this, we’d be able to retire.
Public speaking is terrifying for almost everyone.
There are very few people who enjoy it.
Thankfully, though, there are ways to tackle it.
So, if controlling the nerves is top of your 2026 resolutions list, here are our top tips:
Breathe
It sounds simple, but so many people forget.
Your natural instinct is to race through it because you want it over with faster.
Big mistake.
This is where issues arise.
The faster we speak, the harder it is to think and if you’re unable to think during a presentation, you are in trouble.
Quiet that voice in your head. Ignore your impulse and breathe.
Slow down, and you’ll be better for it.
Speaker’s stance
Our brains can only take in so much information at one time.
Put us under pressure, and that number drastically reduces.
Many people often find themselves focusing on how they’re coming across, rather than what they’re saying.
Of course, this leads to problems when it comes to remembering our actual words.
To avoid this issue, take away some of the guesswork and adopt the speaker’s stance.
Stand with your feet hip-width apart.
Imagine the lower half of your body is dipped in cement.
You can still gesture and move with your top half, but keep that bottom half still.
Eye contact
We know it’s important, but we also know it’s difficult.
If you’re someone who struggles with eye contact, here’s a secret:
Look between the eyebrows instead.
It gives the same impression as eye contact, but it can have less pressure for the person.
How to control nerves
Wondering what else you can do to keep calm under pressure?
Email us today for help managing body language and controlling your voice while presenting.
New Year, New You: How to control your nerves by Pink Elephant Communications.
New Year, New You: How to control your nerves was written by Maxine Montgomery and edited by Andrew McFarlan.
