Public speaking is one of the most feared activities in the world. And for good reason: it can be terrifying to stand up in front of a group of people and deliver a presentation. But what’s even more frightening is giving a speech and feeling overwhelmed by your emotions. When that happens, you can lose focus, stumble over your words, and make a fool of yourself!
You can learn to control your emotions and speak confidently in public. In this article, we’ll discuss some tips for doing just that. If you know how to wield them, tears may give you the upper hand in certain situations. But other times, it’s better to keep a stiff upper lip.
Contents
How To Public Speak Without Getting Emotional
1. Understand Your Emotions
The first step to controlling your emotions is to understand them. What triggers your emotions? Is it a certain type of audience member? A particular topic? The stakes of the situation? Once you know what sets off your emotions, you can start to prepare for those situations and learn how to deal with them.
2. Prepare Mentally and Physically
The better prepared you are, the less likely you are to get emotional during a public speaking event. That means preparing mentally by knowing your material inside and out, and physically by practicing your delivery until you have it down pat.
3. Use Visualization Techniques
This is a technique that athletes use to prepare for competition, and it can be just as effective for public speakers. Picture yourself giving a great speech, staying calm and in control the entire time. See yourself handling tough questions with ease. Visualize success and you’ll be more likely to achieve it.
4. Practice Breathing Exercises Before Your Speech
When you’re nervous, your breathing becomes shallow and rapid. This can make you feel even more anxious. To combat this, practice some deep breathing exercises before you give your speech. Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose, hold your breath for a few seconds, and then exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat this several times.
5. Add A Little Humor
If you can find a way to lighten the mood and make your audience laugh, it will help you relax. Don’t force it if it’s not natural, but if you can infuse a little humor into your speech, it will go a long way and even help you be more relaxed and prevent you from getting all emotional.
These are just a few tips to help you control your emotions when public speaking. Remember, the more prepared you are, the more confident you will feel. And the more confident you feel, the less likely you are to get emotional. So take some time to prepare, both mentally and physically, and you’ll be on your way to delivering a great speech!
What to Do When You Start to Feel Emotional During a Speech?
Emotions are inevitable, but there are things you can do to get them under control. If you start to feel emotional during a speech, here are a few tips to help you regain your composure:
1. Take Deep Breaths
This will help you relax and slow down your heart rate. It’s old advice but it really does work wonders!
2. Distract Yourself
If you can’t stop the emotions from coming, try to distract yourself from them. One way to do this is to carry a small object in your palm or pocket so you can fiddle or play with it when you start to feel emotional.
3. Shift Your Eye Focus
By looking at your surroundings and choosing to focus on the more mundane objects around you, such as the color of the walls or the greenness of the grass, you can remove yourself from an emotional danger zone.
4. Take A Pause
Take a quick pause to drink water or talk positively to yourself. Your audience surely won’t mind and the break will do you good. It’ll give you a chance to re-center yourself and focus on the task at hand.
5. Acknowledge Your Emotions
There’s no use in trying to bottle up your emotions and holding them back. Acknowledging them is the first step to managing them. So if you’re feeling nervous, scared, or any other negative emotion, just take a deep breath and say to yourself, “It’s okay. I’m feeling _____ but I can handle this.”
Final Thoughts
Public speaking can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. By following the tips above, you can learn to speak in public without getting emotional. Just remember to take your time, focus on your breathing, and stay positive. With practice, you’ll be able to deliver a great speech in no time!
