By Marcelo G.R
Stage Fright.
It’s something that we’ve all experienced. Whether it be presenting an assignment in front of your class or playing a musical instrument in a concert. We’re all familiar with the feeling of sweaty hands, a dry mouth and a trembling voice. Stepping out of our comfort zone and presenting to other people can be a very unpleasant experience. However, paradoxically, the best way to combat stage fright is to repeatedly do the things you find frightening.
By facing our fears head-on and repeatedly exposing ourselves to the situations that trigger stage fright, we gradually build resilience and confidence. Each time we step onto the stage, whether it’s a small gathering or a large audience, we learn to manage our nerves and perform to the best of our abilities.
And it doesn’t necessarily have to be in front of a crowd. Engaging in stressful situations and performing difficult tasks can have a positive impact on our overall confidence. It’s through these challenges that we discover our inner strength and learn to push past our limits. Taking on difficult tasks, such as tackling a complex problem or participating in a competitive event, allows us to grow and develop as individuals.
Personally, I used to have an intense fear of public speaking, whether it was in front of familiar faces or strangers. In fifth grade, my parents forced me to join a speech and debate club, and initially, I struggled tremendously. I made numerous mistakes, my speech was way too fast for anyone to understand, and my entire body trembled with fear. Nonetheless, as I was consistently pushed to practice speaking, it gradually became normalized for me, and I eventually felt less pressure when speaking. To this day, I continue to be part of a debate club, and the experience I’ve gained from it has made me much more comfortable with public speaking and boosted my overall confidence.
Regarding the scientific background of this topic, it is proven that through repeated exposure to fear-inducing situations, our brain gradually learns that they are not life-threatening, leading to a reduction in the physical and emotional symptoms of fear. Additionally, engaging in challenging activities stimulates neuroplasticity, allowing the brain to rewire itself and strengthen neural pathways associated with confidence and resilience. This accumulation of positive experiences reinforces our belief in our abilities, ultimately boosting our self-confidence and self-assurance.
By repeatedly facing our fears and exposing ourselves to challenging situations, we gradually build resilience and confidence. Whether it’s public speaking or other nerve-wracking experiences, pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zones allows us to push past our limits. Through this process, we rewire our brain, reducing fear symptoms and reinforcing our belief in our abilities. Embracing discomfort and fear leads to personal growth and empowers us to shine in all aspects of life.
So, my message to you is to do difficult things, so you can grow ever stronger from them.
Bibliography:
- Worthy, Darrell A., Arthur B. Markman, and W. Todd Maddox. “What Is Pressure?” Psychonomic Bulletin & Review 16, no. 2 (April 2009): 344–49. https://doi.org/10.3758/PBR.16.2.344.