Your gig is up, the announcement has been made and the manager/host is ushering you to the stage. But there’s cold liquid trickling down your back and your shirt has gone all wet from the sweat. You fumble with the mic, thanks to your clammy palms and your awkward stance is doing nothing but put off the audience. What do you do then?
Stage fright can take the charm out of performance even if your talent is undeniable. It is an anxious bodily response where your mind is tricked into believing you’re in danger despite there being no actual threat. Lots of supremely adept singers get lost under the weight of stage fear. You don’t want your name to end up on that list.
Let us give you some pointers on how to defeat stage fright and deliver an impactful performance.
#1 VISUALIZING YOUR PERFORMANCE
They say visualization is the most powerful tool while manifesting your desires. So, close your eyes, sit down in a quiet room and visualize your ideal performance. Walk yourself through the entire show starting from your backstage waiting period. Imagine how you will warm up your voice, how you will confidently walk on stage and greet the audience and how you will start off your song. Feel all the different emotions you will feel while doing these activities and calm yourself if any anxiety rises. You can train your brain to get accustomed to your performance before the day even arrives. That’s how powerful your brain is.
#2 EXERCISING ON THE DAY
Did you know that exercising releases endorphins which are the natural painkillers your body is equipped with? That’s why after a workout session, you feel happier and calmer. Exercising can be especially soothing when done on the day of your show. It can help cure the pre-jitters you are prone to getting. Any form of exercise will work; be it running or hitting your gym or just doing some Suryanamaskaras in your room. Just remember not to push yourself too hard and drain your energy before the show.
AVOID CAFFEINE
When you get stage fright, your body is already flooded with a rush of adrenaline. This is the hormone that is secreted when your body undergoes stress. It sustains you while you decide between the fight and flight response. If you drink one too many cups of coffee just before a show, the caffeine being a stimulant will skyrocket the levels of adrenaline even more. This will cause you to be more jittery and anxious. Not to mention, caffeine is a mild diuretic too, which means more bathroom breaks and eventual dehydration. You don’t want to deal with this additional problem on top of stage fright. So swap your usual dose of caffeine with some water or sip some herbal tea. These are much safer alternatives.
If being a singer is your “calling” and you have decided to pursue a career in it, you must establish your skills before you go any further. If you have already taken stock and appear to be lacking in some areas, may we suggest some singing classes? Learn to sing at home from the iconic, award-winning singer Monali Thakur. For every aspiring singer, this is a dream come true. With just a smartphone and quick internet, you can learn singing for beginners at home. Her online singing classes are available on unlu. Go check them out now!
