Have you ever gotten that compressed feeling inside your chest? The oh-no-I-forgot-I-had-a-test-today feeling, where you can’t breathe and cold sweats start forming in the palm of your hands?
CSA is here to show you the ultimate way to battle your stage fright and prepare for your shining moment on stage.
Pre-Battle Lifestyle:
1. Don’t Take Sleep for Granted
Did you know that according to the National Sleep Foundation, students need to sleep an average time of 7-9 hours per day? If you’re not one of these people, don’t worry, we can all blame school for depriving us of adequate time with our pillows! However, prior to doing things under pressure, it’s definitely recommended that you get an adequate amount of sleep. This will ensure that you’re completely focused on the upcoming battle and eliminate any physical fatigue that might deter you from singing to the best of your ability at Western Voice.
2. Become Physically Religious
If you know you’re going go on a jog in an hour, you wouldn’t go out and eat a buffet right before. The same concept can be applied while prepping for Western Voice. If you know you’re going to need your voice, you shouldn’t pull out the karaoke machine the night before and confess your love for Celine Dion (as tempting as that may be). Moreover, ever heard of the phrase “you are what you eat”? With the knowledge of needing to be physically healthy for your performance, eating healthy and drinking lots of water would definitely be great contributions in preparing for Western Voice!
3. Kill A Banana
Yes, kill a banana. You read that correctly. By eating a banana an hour before you go on stage, you give yourself the energy boost you need to perform your greatest! Why? When you’re under stress your metabolic rate rises. You’re using up energy and in order to replenish that energy, bananas make a very nice snack! Bananas contain high amounts of potassium, a vital mineral which helps send oxygen to the brain. Oxygen is needed for vital body functions and thus by consuming a banana, you are indirectly regulating your blood flow and heart rate! Bottom-line: Bananas are a good pre-performance snack.
Pre-Battle Decisions:
4. Make A New Frenemy
In every battle, making enemies is unavoidable. In this battle, your enemy just so happens to be coffee. Have you ever wondered what secret weapons coffee possess which keep you awake at night? Coffee contains high amounts of caffeine which stimulates the release of epinephrine neurotransmitters. Epinephrine is also known as adrenaline, which increases blood pressure and heart rate. Thus, consuming coffee would most definitely contribute to your nervousness and is strongly discouraged before performing. Keep your friends close, enemies closer, but frenemies far far away!
5. Practice Practice Practice!
Practice makes perfect. Nobody expects a flawless performance, so don’t put that kind of pressure on yourself! However, nothing good comes easy, so through practice, you’re guaranteed the greatest likelihood of succeeding and putting on a great show! Remember, everything becomes easier with practice.