Written by: Kazi Afra Adiba
The sudden influx of feelings of fear/worry/stress before or during performing a particular task is known as performance anxiety.
- The fright of humiliation in front of others while carrying out a task
- The fear of failing or feeling incompetent
- The pressure of performing to a superficial standard
- Being perfectionists where one remains fearful of any slip-ups
Common symptoms:
- Feeling light-headed or dizzy
- Dry mouth
- Rapid heartbeats
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Shaking or chills
- Blurry vision
- Zoning out or feeling withdrawn
Tackling performance anxiety:
Getting jitters before any event is quite common for everyone. However, if the anxiety hinders the overall well-being and performance of the task, it becomes concerning. Learning and recognizing the triggers may help prevent these outbursts beforehand. Some ways of dealing with performance anxiety could be:- Rehearsing on your own to boost confidence
- Giving yourself a positive, and guided pep-talk pre-performance
- Practise deep breathing to calm your nerves
- Visualising a successful performance to uplift yourself
- Avoid frequent intake of caffeine
- Stay hydrated and well-rested