Q&A for How to Stop Shaking when Making a Speech

Remember it was only a few minutes of your life, and everyone makes mistakes.

It's always good to try putting the microphone as far as you can from your mouth to put away the shivering sound. Though, don't put it too far away, and make it look normal. Also, before your speech, try to exercise and move your blood around to feel confident.

Continue with the presentation and keep your hands low if possible. Breathe deeply and take meaningful pauses. If you have a slide set, turn to it and point occasionally for a break away from the audience's gaze. Remind yourself that you know your material and that it's going to be okay.

Drink water only before speaking. You do not want a sugar rush (or worse) when you are up there. Don't try any pills, it is not worth it.

Before your speech, take a few minutes to exert yourself. Jump up and down, swing your arms around windmill-style, and then take a few slow, deep breaths. This will help fend off nervousness.

Try talking more to the people at home as it helps you improve your people skills with everyone else.

Make sure you use different tones of voice throughout your speech and make eye contact with your audience. If you're allowed, use props or background photos to make things more engaging.

If you incorporated humor into your speech, it's normal and good for people to laugh. In the future, take deep breaths and blow on your thumb before the speech to reduce your anxiety.

Try to stay calm and pretend that you're just saying this to a friend or family member, and also drink water and keep breathing.

Try moving when singing, such as moving your feet or walking across the stage, or moving your hands as you sing. This will make you seem more stage-confident and will reduce the chance of people noticing your shaking.

Lock your knees. If that doesn't work, focus your eyes on a single fixed thing and force your legs to stop moving. Take a deep breath. If your legs are still shaking, then maybe walk around a little bit.

If you can get something to place your papers down on, do so. You can put your hands in your pockets or behind your back.

Use key cards and notes written on your hand and arm, and look at them if you forget something.

Doing any of the above methods will stop your cheeks from vibrating while talking. You can also try speaking slower and louder.

Take a deep breath and calm down; this regulates your speech. Drink water if necessary. Keep telling yourself, "There's no need to be scared, these are just people." Positive thinking always helps.

It depends on what works for you. Try practicing different strategies to see what helps you the most. It would be best to push the pressure point once before you start your speech. Unless your hands are hidden, don't push it during your speech, as it will draw attention to your hands.

Shaking is the result of adrenaline coursing through your body. Remind yourself that the other person will probably be more impressed with you if you appear calm. Practice being calm around someone you're not so interested in.

A little body movement can help. Perhaps you can move around a bit while you talk, or surreptitiously flex your arm or leg muscles periodically.

If your instructor will allow it, hold several sheets of paper instead of just one. That will decrease the shaking.