***Overwhelmed by Stress? Consider the 'Chill' Pill

By Nancy Daniels The Official Guide to Public Speaking
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When your stress becomes overwhelming, how do you relieve it? I guess a better question might be: are you able to relieve it?

This past week my son phoned me from college very agitated. He was about to lead his class in a subject about which he felt unprepared; and, his lack of confidence was apparent. He asked me what he should do.

So, as I was standing outside Macy’s, I told my son that it was time for the ‘chill’ pill – a term I had happened to hear on the radio that morning which I knew I could apply to my own business. Not sure what I was talking about, he asked me what I meant and I proceeded to explain the techniques of diaphragmatic breathing to him over the phone. I also told him to trust me; that this would work.

Athletic and physically fit, he had no problem understanding what I was explaining and was able to accomplish the breathing immediately. I suggested he close his eyes for a few minutes, continue breathing with this support, and envision himself somewhere pleasurable; i.e. sitting in the stands at a soccer game in Europe watching Messi and Barcelona, his favorite soccer team.

For the next few hours, I thought about my son and wondered if he had taken my advice. He phoned me immediately after his class and was confident that it had gone well. I asked him if he had been conscious of his breathing and he told me that it had not only helped him get through the 2-hour class but that he was still doing it.

As a voice specialist I teach people how to find their ‘real’ voice by first learning how to breathe with the support of the diaphragm (a muscular partition, separating the chest from the abdomen). What is fascinating about my approach is that one of the greatest benefits of breathing with this support is the ability to control nervousness in any form of public speaking. But even more fascinating is the fact that there are a host of other benefits that result from the ‘chill’ pill – benefits that go far beyond the voice or presentation skills.

Because of the breathing, my clients (and I) have noticed a considerable decrease in our stress because we are eliminating the toxins in the body. Shallow or lazy breathing, which is typical of 99% of the population, actually increases your stress because it does not allow for the elimination of those toxins. [Incidentally, the first thing you are taught when having a panic attack is to begin diaphragmatic breathing.]

Oddly enough, when I first started teaching voice many years ago, I had no idea about these ‘extracurricular’ bonuses. But through the early months of my business, I was hearing reports from my clients that they were sleeping better at night, lowering their blood pressure, eliminating headaches, etc. The list goes on and on.

I have found in my own situation that even in moments of great anxiety, my blood pressure remains surprising low. The reason is because I breathe through my stress.

Whatever the reason for your stress, if you learn to breathe the right way, I guarantee that you will discover the most practical and best means for eliminating it which will reduce the physical and emotional pain often brought on by anxiety.

Learn the techniques of the ‘chill’ pill and you can throw the Valium away forever!