Games and recreational activities that help you relax when you're nervous
Presentations in class, pitches in meetings, appointments with someone you’re meeting for the first time, performances like singing or dancing on stage, speeches on special occasions—there are so many moments when your heart pounds with nerves and you feel overwhelmed! Sometimes, the nerves make you restless from the day before, and you can’t even get the crucial preparation done.
We’ve gathered some tips to help ease those jitters.
Here’s hoping you overcome your nerves and it leads to great results!
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Games and recreational activities to help you relax when you’re nervous (11–20)
Yoga
It’s relaxing, gives you a sporty feel, and is good for your health—that’s yoga.
There are schools that teach it, and plenty of guides and DVDs available.
There are even sightseeing tours like full-fledged yoga trips to India, so if you love to travel and want to relax, why not add it to your list of options?
Is it better not to relax?!
I think many of you have had the experience where, when you’re nervous and tell yourself “Calm down, calm down,” it actually makes you even more nervous.
This video discusses research from Harvard Graduate School showing that by choosing to enjoy the situation when you’re nervous, you can achieve better performance.
Interestingly, the researchers reported that it was effective not only for math tests but also for speeches.
It suggests that people who can find even a little enjoyment in any tough situation are the ones who seize success.
After overcoming my former stage fright and poor explanation skills, I tried giving a speech in front of the station.
It seems that someone who used to have stage fright is going to give a speech in front of the station after overcoming it.
Hearing directly from someone who has truly overcome it is very convincing.
Even if you don’t have stage fright, speaking in front of a station takes a lot of courage, doesn’t it? More than the details of how they overcame it, seeing what they’re like after overcoming it is encouraging in itself!
to shout
Everyone has probably had the experience of shouting and feeling refreshed.
Yes—when stress and frustration build up, yelling can be one way to relieve them.
You could enter one of the loud-voice contests held around the country and aim for a prize, or head to the mountains or the sea and shout from the bottom of your lungs.
Zen meditation
When you want to calm your mind, how about trying zazen? It’s a bit different in tone from games or recreation, but think of it as a “journey of the mind.” Some renowned temples hold zazen sessions for the general public and tourists.
A trip with the purpose of practicing zazen might be a good idea, too.