Public speaking is one of the most valuable skills in today's professional world. Whether you're presenting to a boardroom, speaking on a panel, or delivering a virtual talk, the ability to communicate clearly and confidently can open doors to new opportunities. Yet, for many, the mere thought of standing in front of an audience induces anxiety.
For those who live with anxiety, are neurodivergent, or feel the weight of societal expectations, 'masking' can feel like a shield. It's the act of blending in, suppressing the parts of oneself that feel too 'different' or 'much' in order to fit a mould. Masking can be a survival tool, a way to navigate environments where we fear rejection or misunderstanding. It can give us temporary relief: "If I just act like everyone else, I'll feel safe." And, our nervous system spends a lot of time looking for signals in our environment that tell us it is safe. Masking can also be exhausting, alienating, and denying our most authentic selves. Over time, it chips away at authenticity, leaving us wondering: Who am I beneath the mask?
One of the key reasons I was drawn to becoming a therapist is my fascination with the concept of the flow state. I have always been fascinated by how it manifests in the arts and have had the privilege of supporting clients who either access this state effortlessly or face considerable obstacles in doing so. My latest article explores this state - a mental zone where focus, creativity, and productivity come together naturally.
It can be easy to take things personally when public speaking. This post explores the importance of detaching from these influences and offers concrete strategies for maintaining a balanced approach.
Feeling scared is natural, but we can manage nerves, anxiety and fear by empowering ourselves with a few mindful practices.
How Hypnotherapy can aid your Peak Performance in Sports As a sports competitor, do you feel that you are truly delivering your peak performance? The answer to achieving peak performance in sports could lie with Hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy is a supplementary therapy that utilises the power of positive suggestion to create a change in behaviour and [...]
Public speaking is a daunting prospect that many of us will have to face at some point in our lives. Anxiety around speaking in public is a completely natural response to high-pressure situations, and the stress hormone adrenaline can help to improve your performance. However, if this anxiety becomes overwhelming it can have debilitating [...]
If you’ve ever tried and failed to lose, put on, or sustain a healthy weight then you probably know just how frustrating it can be – especially if feelings of stress, low self-esteem, low levels of confidence and impatience are common. If you have tried dieting and exercising but still struggle to reach your [...]
Hypnotherapy for Public Speaking and performance, with tips Whether you perform in front of people for Business, Stage or TV, you will know that stage fright or performance anxiety is a debilitating fear that will negatively impact the quality of your performance. Even if you have been performing or giving presentations for years, nerves can [...]
Stress vs. Anxiety: What’s the Difference? We’ve all felt symptoms of stress at some point in our lives, our body responds to a new relationship, job promotion, or moving house by creating panic symptoms such as heart-thumping or tense muscles. However, many individuals confuse stress and anxiety - and these are two very different responses. What is Stress [...]