COMMUNICATION APPREHENSION DEFINED:

“An individual level of fear, anxiety or nervousness connected with either real or anticipated communication with another person or persons.”- Holbrook, Hilary Taylor.

"Communication Apprehension: The Quiet Student in Your Classroom". ERIC Digest. 1987. ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading and Communication skills Urbana IL. November 2, 2008. <http://www.ericdigests.org/pre-926/quiet.htm>

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS OF STAGE FRIGHT

1.Hands are sweaty.2.Cheeks are flushed.3.Perspiration gathers on

your brow.4.Heart is racing (beating

really fast).5.May feel sick to your

stomach; nausea.

THE BODY’S RESPONSE TO STRESS• Adrenaline is an example of how the

human body adapted to handle dangerous and stressful situations.

• Adrenaline helps the body to perform at higher levels than its normal functions.

• You get more blood flowing and oxygen going all over your body.

• It restricts your body’s pain receptors. If you are injured, you will not feel pain until the stressor is gone.

CAUSES OF COMMUNICATION APPREHENSION“I had a previous experience, and it was bad.”

“This is totally new experience. I have no idea what to expect.”

“I am worried about the effect that this communication may have on my life.”

“I don’t like people looking at me; it makes me uncomfortable.”

“I don’t think that anyone here wants to hear what I have to say.”

“I feel like everyone’s really tense; talking can’t possibly ease the mood.”

START!

Waiting keeps the source of stress present in your mind. You can’t stop the adrenaline until you start the communication.

BREATHE!

By inhaling deeply and slowly, you will force your heart rate down. This will help you to feel calm.

BE PREPARED!

Know that you have covered everything that you need to cover, and make notes, if applicable, to help you remember.

BE REALISTIC!

You won’t be crowned “King of Presenters”; no one will worship you after this. On the other hand, you won’t die; you can’t destroy civilization as we know it. The effects will be somewhere in between those extremes, leaning towards the positive.

PRACTICE! If you feel unsure, do a run through in the space, in front of

a mirror, in front of a trusted friend, in front of your family pet.