Would a public speaking course help my blushing & trembling?

[Sammysquiz]

I really struggle with public speaking, mainly due to the fact that the physical symptoms of nerves affect me so badly. I blush ridiculously easily in everyday life, so in nervous situations I’m literally the colour of a tomato. I’ve also got a little bit of a tremor - my whole family have it too so think it’s genetic, but I’d find it very hard to hold my hand steady right now. So when I’m nervous the shakes are off the scale - it’s very visible, even my knees tremble a bit, and my voice goes a bit wobbly.

But weirdly inside I feel quite confident, it’s like my body betrays me! I’ve now seen a job I really want to go for, but part of the role would involve public speaking and I don’t want to not apply because of my nerves.

I’ve found a public speaking course advertised in my area which has amazing reviews, but it’s £500 for a 2-day course and that’s a lot of money for me. Just wondering if anyone had been on a course and found it’d helped with the physical sides of nerves. I feel I already know things like practice your presentation lots, really know your material, speak slowly etc, so don’t need to be taught that. It’s more like my central nervous system needs to be calmed down a bit!

I think it would to some extent, if your symptoms are purely linked to public speaking (but that doesn't sound like the case).

I get very bad physical anxiety symptoms in some scenarios like presentations and interviews (needing the toilet 10 times, blushing, shaking). Propranolol is a miracle drug for this; it complete stops those feelings. You take it when you might need it, not every day. It is genuinely life changing.

That does sound pricey. Could you see if there’s a Toastmasters where you are?

Improv classes are another thing that can help with this and it’s loads of fun too!

Save your money and get some beta blockers.

I have exactly the same issue and heard beta blockers are the way forward. How exactly do you obtain them, do you have to go to the GP and just say ‘can I have a stash for nerves please’ as I feel my GP would just say no.

OP the thing that helped me is just doing them constantly. I would say yes to things before I talked myself out of it. Once I had to be on the radio with two hours notice. It went ok though and I’d happily do it again.

I second Propranolol. At work, I’m known as a supremely confident public speaker. I’m not, I get nervous in front of a large crowd. I just pop 40mg of propranolol 30 mins before and you’d never know.

MY GP actually struggled all the way through her training with the same issue and still uses propranolol for public speaking, so she’s more than happy to prescribe me a pack when I need them.

Just came to say this too

Also I’ve noticed with blushing, tremor etc the response is your body doing fight or flight. But if you speak for a minute (with blushing), let someone else speak and then speak again, I find your body has figured out that it’s not being attacked by a sabre tooth tiger and will let you carry on without the symptoms.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with saying at the start “guys, I’m new to this.. excuse me if I talk too fast/waffle/blush/sweat”.. everyone appreciates that public talking is hard

Just go to the GP, explain symptoms and ask if they can prescribe them. I felt the same way, but my GP was genuinely pleased I asked for propranolol rather than antidepressants (which I think sometimes are used for anxiety) as she thought it much less invasive. It's not like they make you feel high, so there's no reason for them to be suspicious of your motivations!

Also suggesting propranolol. It's impossible to get a GP appointment where I am so I bought a private prescription online - about £20.

Another good thing about the beta blockers is it allows you to practice without the horrible fight/flight - so now, if I am caught off guard and need to speak a lot at a big meeting, I am less flustered than I would have been previously as I know that I can do it.

I also use Propranolol for these sorts of thing. I just rang the GP and told them that I'd tried every way to reduce the nerves (exercise, meditation etc) but I needed something else. The GP didn't bat an eyelid and they have been a wonder drug for me. I only need to use it about four times a year.

Two women I worked with in different places (who were extremely good at all sorts of speaking situations) swore by Toastmasters. You start with tiny groups and short simple (couple of sentences) presentations with other people as new to it as you are, and work your way up. They were fantastic advertisements for it.

Thank you all so much for your suggestions. I’ve just been googling Propranolol & I’m wondering if it might not be suitable for me as says its not suitable for people with low blood-pressure or low heart-rate (both of which I have). Though am sure if my BP and heart-rate were measured during a presentation both would be through the roof! Will speak to my GP about it.

I hadn’t heard of Toastmasters, and turns out there’s one in my local town, so will pluck up the courage and try it!

hi @Sammysquiz, when reading your post, it sounded like applying for the role was important for you. How did it go? Re public speaking and the nerves, I'm responding with my spoken voice coach hat on.

All the physical reactions you've described are a stress response. Your autonomic nervous system is in fight or flight. Your voice is created in your voice box (larynx) and it physically shuts down and tightens in those moments of stress and speaking anxiety.

As part of your prep, try this this short exercise:

1. Speak the first line of your speech/presentation
2. Now, massage your neck muscles gently (sides, front and back) - we want to release any tension around your larynx when preparing.
3. Speak the same line of your speech again.
4. While speaking keep your head and neck aligned and roll your shoulders back to take up a bit more space.
5. If you find yourself holding on to your breath - sigh out. Doing a long sigh helps with regulating your autonomic nervous system and helps to take you to 'I'm safe' zone.

Ps. Disclaimer that you do the exercises at your own risk. You know your body the most and you shouldn't be feeling any pain when doing the exercises.
Feel free to drop me a private message (once it's available again) if you'd like to explore professional spoken voice/public speaking coaching.

I find it a bit concerning that the first recommendation for many is taking medication rather than just trying to improve the skill.

OP if you need the skill now, like tomorrow- do the £500 course. Otherwise start toastmasters, honestly!

I was exactly the same as you, exactly. But I'm a court based lawyer, and just standing up every day and talking at court has done away with the obvious signs of nerves. Truly immersion therapy is the best solution.

My first time I was so nervous I wrote down my own last name in case I forgot it!

That's all well and good if you are speaking publicly everyday but my role isn't like that.

I do it once it twice a year and it's very hard to get into the rhythm of a habit or become better at managing the external signs of nerves. I find that medication for those one or two occasions a year is a godsend.

propanolol 100%

I'd go for Toastmasters, too - they are very, very used to people being there because of nerves, as it's why many people start. They focus on constructive feedback to help you improve.

An immediate thing you can do I'd focus on your breathing, breathing slowly and deeply - nerves make us breathe more quickly and shallow lying, so deliberately focussing on slower and deeper will trick your body into thinking it's calmer, and so you will become.

Back in the day when I was a nervous sweating wreak for an interview let alone public speaking, I learned that if I said eg ' I'm sorry I'm shaking so much, I am actually quite nervous as I so very much want this job' that instantly took some of the pressure off and stopped some of the nerves

I didn’t get an interview for the job 😩

I took a call from someone very high-up at my organisation today and was blushing like mad, thankfully on the phone and not on Teams so he didn’t know my face was bright red. So weird as I know my stuff, and could easily and confidently give him the info immediately, it’s like my body just can’t help itself going PANIC! PANIC!!

I would try Toastmasters, but also - have you tried hypnotherapy?

@EBearhug I did try hypnotherapy years ago when I was about to get married, and was stressed about how red I’d go on my wedding day. A blushing bride is one thing, but a beetroot-face is another! I think it did help a bit.

I would try propranolol - it changed my life. I was similar to you in that, when public speaking (or even speaking in a very small group) I would get terrible a physical reaction which meant my throat would literally feel like it closed and I couldn't speak. I had interviews and meetings at work where I had to stop speaking and just leave. The funny thing is I often wasn't even nervous of the speaking, but I was so nervous of the symptoms and that caused them to get worse!

I have used propranolol for years and it prevents the reaction. As I have been able now to practice speaking, I find I am generally less nervous and now don't always use it for situations that I used to.

I have asthma and was still able to use it so worth asking.

A really good course will give you breathing exercises to start with, as well as exercises to do with physicality, to ground yourself.

I used to teach public speaking and presentation skills and I never worked with anyone who didn't improve, even in half a day. A 2 day course is transformative for most people. And yes, I once worked with a woman who blushed uncontrollably. By working on her breathing and core strength she stopped it and got a promotion at work- her blushing was making her look under confident.