How do you cope with nerves?

Netherlands
July 25, 2009 6:58pm CST
I was just reading an article on the new york times about athletes and how they cope with the nerves before an event. the article focused on michael phelps who have apparently been doing some relaxation training since he was 12. i'm no athlete but i get really nervous before playing for a piano recital or a voice recital. even when i get up to read a poem for the class or something. when i get nervous, my palms start sweating like crazy and all i can think of is something bad. i always think about the worst case scenarios and it really doesn't help me emotionally. to cope with it, i try to breathe and get the image out of my head but it never works. i am always just really really nervous and to be honest, i can't/don't know how to cope with nerves.
1 response
• China
26 Jul 09
Hello bohemian03 ,I share the same feeling with you to some extend .I can also sense the nervous atmosphere ahead of no matter big events or just some chores . such a sence has never vanished in my life ,but in the process of growing up I also got a bit experience to cope with it ,firstly .when you would like do something ,you must make a complete and full prepareation ,it is the basis of relaxation . Second I think moderate positive psychological suggestion will do help you largely ,in the process of a presentation what you can do is just thinking "I can ,camoe on ",just try you best to shake off the sence of infeiority ,you know self-confidence will yield a unyielding and successful life ! When it comes to the reason of the nerves ,personally I think it rest a lot with your personality ,and the experience in your childhood ,you konw a person fill up with encourages the acclaims will take his courage in both hands ! Just keeping going ,I always reasure myself that way ,think ,you have achieve the some level as others do ,but you have made more efforts than others,so how hard and diffficult situation can hold back you who have a spirited heart ! Good luch on your everthing !
• Netherlands
26 Jul 09
thanks! yea i mean i am still very young but i should have a fair amount of experience because i am a theater person so i try to join every theater production there is. recently, i've been better about getting out and expressing myself but still i get really nervous. i guess it does really take a lot of time and effort to just be able to relax. who would have thought?! i always thought relaxation was just sitting around doing nothing but apparently not. maybe i should take up yoga or something. - the point being, optimism is the key i'm guessing. if i keep on worrying about my results, nothing is going to happen. everyone wants things to go well but sometimes it just doesn't but being able to look at that mistake in an optimistic way will probably enhance my personality and the way i live.