Picture this; you are in a meeting or event, everyone is pitching in and sharing their opinion and it is your turn to speak.Suddenly your heart starts beating faster, your hands get a bit sweaty and you feel dizzy and incredible uncomfortable knowing you are next.It is time to pick up the microphone or stand up to express your viewpoint in the middle of that your body gets tense and you deeply wish you didn’t have to do it or rather attend a session via zoom where you are less exposed.
If you have ever felt like this; welcome to being a human being.It happens more often than many of us wished and it even has a name.This hesitation, this nervous feeling all of the sudden is called Fear of Public Speaking or glossophobia.
You may even ask yourself; does this happen to me only?
The answer is no.As humans we perceive eyes watching us as a threat.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health research conducted in 2020,
77 per cent of the US population when asked what would be their biggest fear reported that the Fear of Public Speaking was even higher than the fear of death.
This research also shared that women were reported to experienced higher phobia of public speaking than men and that 74 per cent of the total respondents admitted to having speech anxiety.
What is concerning is that even though it is estimated that 15 million people deal with glossophobia on a daily basis only 8 per cent seek professional help despite the negative impact it has in their lives.
So, What is the downside of having glossophobia?
First of all experiencing these nerve-racking symptoms affects your ability to get that promotion, pass that oral exam to complete your studies or provide that lecture you are more than ready to share at work.It affects your performance not only at work but also it hurts your personal life.
What I find alarming is that the Fear of Public Speaking affects our core need which is to being seen and heard.
The tricky part when we experience fear is that when it happens it seems it takes over us in an overwhelming manner leaving us with the impression that we can do nothing about it even though that´s not true.
In the last few years I have seeing clients who even though they were well prepared to give that presentation at work and had all the technical support (voice coach guidance) to make it happen they would still feel uneasy when they had to stand up and make a point or introduce themselves.
What is on the way then?
What makes us to be hesitant and wish the ground would swallow us when we want to speak?
Chances are that our body gets in scanning mode where it revises any other previous experiences related to it.If any of those memories were unpleasant the body fires back in a protection mode sending your brain signals like; who are these people? What are you doing? Why am I here?
Within those palpitations, tremors and nausea your body is simply telling you: This is not safe, I’m not comfortable, please get me out of here.
What can we do then? Do we just have to endure it? Again,The answer is no.
We can do so much about it.
With Our Body Wise, within PKP kinesiology sessions we can help you to not only detect what is the root of your stress when you desire to speak up but we can also get to attend what your body (with all its wisdom) is craving to let go to make that happen and gain the confidence you are longing for.
Life is not about quick fixes.The same fact applies to all of us. That Fear we are experiencing has a reason to be there and truly deserves to be listened to so we can grow and evolve.
I’ll be happy to support you in this journey either in person or via zoom sessions.
You are welcome to contact me sending an e mail to laura@ourbodywise.com for more information.
