Anxiety stems from conscious and unconscious insecurities leading to stage fright. But with few simple steps anxiety could be managed to feel better and confident before a performance.
Performance anxiety, or stage fright, is very common. Contrary to popular opinion, not just introverted or shy people, but extroverts also have performance anxiety. Many people who are confident in giving speeches to large gatherings or are comfortable at parties also fear performing on stage. And for some people, like me, dancing on stage is much easier than giving a speech to an audience all staring at me. After some time, it’s easier to recover from the sudden panic. Performing on stage is more than just one special moment. But don’t let self-doubt dim the excitement of the performance day.
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Causes of performance anxiety
Performance anxiety can affect different areas of our lives. It is not just dealing with low confidence but also a deep-seated insecurity. Once, a beginner student came to learn dance from me. And she was so shy that before starting the class, she covered all the windows, doors, and even the mirror. She was embarrassed to be seen dancing by anyone. But she also did not want to confront her fears.
I realised then that most of the time, we see ourselves as others want us to see us. We judge ourselves harshly on the basis of the best example that we have seen praised by most people. For example, not everyone can dance like Misty Copeland, the principal ballerina of the American Ballet Theatre. And not everyone can dance like Channing Tatum, the hot actor who is also an amazing Bboy. Both of them are awesome dancers with different dance styles.
For example, not everyone can dance like Misty Copeland, the principal ballerina of the American Ballet Theatre. And not everyone can dance like Channing Tatum, the hot actor who is also an amazing Bboy. Both of them are awesome dancers with different dance styles.
Confidence in dancing also depends on the situation. Most people feel comfortable dancing in groups. While in clubs, people prefer a dark interior with dim lights to cover up their awkwardness.
Another very important reason why people feel conscious while dancing is the concept of body image. Many people think that only an extremely slim body or having super flexible limbs is equal to a good dancer. As a dance teacher with over 10 years of experience, I can tell you this is the biggest myth that people should get over.
Symptoms of performance anxiety
According to scientific research, when we are anxious or panicked in any situation, our minds sense danger. The immediate reaction of the body is to go into a “flight or fight” mode. The brain is unable to make a decision, which sets off an alarm from the brain to the body.
The symptoms of performance anxiety or stage fright are:
– Dizziness
– Increased heart rate
– Sweating
– Low blood pressure
– Cold feet or hands
– Dry throat
– Trembling hands and legs
– Stammering
– Feeling numb and indecisive
Overcoming stage fright
Like my ballet teacher, Anthony Noa, said, the only way to perform well on stage is to practice, practice, and practice. This mantra is true for achieving success in everything we do. Besides this, there are other unique ways to deal with stage fright.
Distract yourself with love
Some of the ways people used to cope with anxiety during the lockdown were by spending time with their pets or watching comedy specials on Netflix. The lesson that we learn is that love and laughter help us heal.
When panic strikes before a performance, you cannot get a pet. Instead, watch videos or pictures of your loved ones on your phone before the performance. This helps in calming the alarm signals in the brain.
Shift your focus from the negative to the positive
When we are anxious, we are guided by our fears, which are usually motivated by what happened once in the past. Or it might be the fear of the unknown. The villian is the question we ask ourselves-“What if?” We start focusing so much on the negative things that we start doubting our abilities.
Remember this quote
Visualise your thoughts flowing freely like a river. You only have to direct the flow of your thoughts towards more positive channels. You don’t need to build a dam or a wall to control the flow.
Practice meditation and yoga
I’ve seen many stage actors and dancers sit quietly in a green room corner, either doing yoga or practising meditation three hours before their performance.Meditation is a beautiful practise that should be done by everyone. It helps calm the mind and improves focus. The neurons in the brain are activated when you practise yoga. You also feel more confident when you stretch your body.
Eat and drink healthy
It is important that, especially before performance, you avoid unhealthy food. Eat foods that restore and retain your energy. Avoid caffeine or any other drink that disturbs your sleep. Proper rest is important the day before performance. Don’t drink too much water half an hour before your performance.
These are a few simple tips that will help you cope with stage fright. To make any moment special, you just have to focus on the good vibes. Don’t forget to smile when dancing. Remember your love for dance and why you started dancing.
Keep believing, keep dancing. 💃🕺
Reference:
Stage Fright ( Performance Anxiety), by Hedy Marks, medically reviewed by Smitha Bhandari, MD, 13 November, 2021.
https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/stage-fright-performance-anxiety
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