Do you have a fear of public speaking? If you do, you are not alone. The fear of speaking in public is one of the greatest fears in most people. It this describes you, read on to learn how you can learn to speak in public with confidence.

You can call it stage fright or performance anxiety, but the fear of public speaking is actually a form of anxiety. A lot of anxiety is a learned response to an irrational fear. In terms of public speaking or getting on stage or in front of a crowd for anything, many people have the irrational fear of being embarrassed, humiliated, judged or criticized. In many people, having to speak in public can trigger a panic attack. The good news is that people can learn to stop panic attacks before they happen.

So just what is a panic attack or anxiety attack that is brought on by public speaking? It can be a feeling of nervousness that builds as the person gets closer and closer to speaking. Or it can come on very suddenly as the person is about ready to speak. Symptoms of this kind of anxiety can include intense fear, a very rapid and pounding heartbeat, shaking, tingling in the arms and legs, dry mouth, a shaky voice and difficulty breathing.

So just what can be done to be able to speak in public with confidence? First, medication are probably not the answer. Many will just slow someone down and the last thing you need before speaking is being mentally sluggish. The best treatment for preventing anxiety before public speaking is a natural treatment program.

People can be taught to relax by doing deep breathing exercises or meditation. They can also practice visualization techniques. A proper diet and avoiding alcohol the night before and caffeine the day of the talk are a must. Getting enough exercise helps. If the presentation is late in the morning, a good run, swim or bike ride earlier can produce enough endorphins to make the person feel much more confident.