Stress-busting - advice for performance & music exam preparation

Performance anxiety is a problem for singers at all skill levels. Nervousness is necessary in order to perform well - the chemicals it releases into the bloodstream are needed to produce the emotional and physical energy that produces a good performance. Unfortunately too many of these chemicals will cause various problems, such as muscle cramping, throat dryness, lack of co-ordination and broken concentration. Therefore physical and mental relaxation techniques are needed to keep the body and mind in balance for optimum performance.

While thorough preparation & performance visualization is the best way to reduce anxiety during performance, often it's just a case of getting up in front of an audience again and again until you work out your own strategy for dealing with nerves.

Managing Exam Stress This site offers advice for studying which also applies to singing.

Imperial College Health Centre - Study Skills & Stress Management This site explains techniques for dealing with anxiety and panic.

Mental Rehearsal: Step-by-Step Instructions Also known as creative visualization, mental rehearsal is a technique now widely used by elite athletes to assist optimum performance, and is proving useful for performers in the arts as well.

Stressbusting stress relief portal. For beating stress and combating anxiety, depression and nervous tension. This site is more directed to general lifestyle stress, but this too can affect performers.

If all else fails, try using your sense of humour to relieve the tension. JokeCenter Jokes

I have recently discovered the benefits of joga in improving singing. Yoga and other bodywork disciplines help calm the mind and body for optimum functioning, and hence assist singing.

The following site is a comprehensive introduction to yoga.  Hope you find it interesting.   http://www.holisticonline.com/Yoga/hol_yoga_beg-guide.htm

The yoga journal site (below) is not so comprehensive but is accessible and has good info for beginners.   http://www.yogajournal.com/