How To Calm Nerves

Nerves are something we all have, no matter how famous we are or how able we are at whatever we do; it's a natural part of life. In fact, nerves are a good thing. They're a good thing because they're the spark, as it were, that is your car ignition to light up the car engine in you that will perform, whether it is a sporting event, emotionally, professionally, socially, or whatever area you need to perform in.

So nerves are a good thing, it is a matter of controlling them and I stress controlling them, not so they can control you. There are various things you can do. One of the most important is to breathe, to breathe deeply and slowly and calmly.

Your posture is important too. And if you've got a chance to go somewhere quiet and reassuring, that is also really good. Another thing you do is to relax your muscles, and there are two key exercises you can do here.

One is where you tense up, you start to tense up every muscle in your body by starting with your toes, your feet, your calf muscles, your thighs, and then work up your body, your chest, your hands, your arms, and then your neck. And hold it for five to ten seconds, and then let it go. Physically, you're going to feel a lot more relaxed, but also, because of the cybernetic to the neurons that link the mind to the body, it will relax your mind as well.

Another simple one to do, and certainly if you're in public, for instance, you're about to make a speech, this is what I and a few professional speaking colleagues call, "The Clench," and it can be done without anyone knowing that you are doing it. You clench your buttocks, biggest muscle in the body. Obviously, you don't have a facial expression to match, because that would just be alarming.

So you clench your buttocks for maybe five, ten seconds, then you let go. The buttocks is such a big and powerful muscle, that if you actually clench your buttocks, if you're doing it now great, make sure nobody is looking, then it is very hard for the rest of your body to feel physically tense. Other good exercises to do is to listen to either very soothing or even very inspiring music, depending on what mood you want to create in yourself.

And also, talk to reassuring but positive, encouraging people and laugh with them about something or even about someone, in a nice way. This will help calm your nerves. |Learn about "The Clench" and other efficient ways to calm your nerves by watching this video hosted by author Sean Brickell.