Sweaty palms? Racing heart? Every speaker knows that familiar flutter of butterflies before stepping onto the stage. Let’s face it: stress might be an unwanted guest at your speaking engagement, but it doesn’t have to steal the show. We spoke with Jeannine Luby, president of Laugh to Live, LLC, about practical ways to de-stress and shut down those pre-speaking nerves.
De-Stress with Natural Movement
What is Luby’s favorite way to de-stress?
“My favorite ways to de-stress, generally speaking, are to exercise outdoors–whether that’s hiking or kayaking at the state park or running or walking through the streets of Scranton– and to laugh. Given that I founded my business Laugh to Live with the mission of spreading healing laughter, I do practice what I preach. Laughter is great because it lowers our stress hormone cortisol.”
For speakers, maintaining a regular outdoor exercise routine can build a foundation of resilience that’s beneficial when presentation day arrives. The combination of physical activity and nature exposure creates a powerful stress-busting experience that can help regulate your nervous system long before you face your audience. (1)
Write It Down
But what about those crucial moments before stepping onto stage? Luby has a simple yet powerful technique:
“I like some quiet time alone to take a few deep breaths and hand write short notes for my presentation or my comedy set. This is a tip I used to give students when I taught college communications classes. Research shows that when we handwrite notes rather than type them, we engage our brain in a way that helps us remember information better; there is something about the muscle movement of writing that helps us build memory; and the act of holding a pen and writing ideas on paper makes it a more personal experience.” (2)
Put It Into Practice
Before your next speaking engagement, try Luby’s two-part approach:
- Make time for outdoor exercise in the days leading up to your presentation to build your stress resilience
- Create a quiet pre-speaking ritual that includes deep breathing and taking a moment to write down your key points
The goal isn’t to eliminate stress completely. Instead, focus on transforming any nervous energy into focused enthusiasm that will engage your audience.
By combining physical activity with mindful preparation, you’re not just managing stress – you’re setting yourself up for an authentic, confident delivery that will resonate with your audience.
Want to book Jeannine Luby for your next event? Email info@ineedaspeaker.com for availability and booking.