Nervousness

keltainen sahalaitakuvio; gul sicksackmönster; yellow zigzag pattern

Nervousness is a normal reaction and very common: up to 70% of Finns feel nervous in performance situations at some point. Nervousness can be caused by, among other things, performing, new situations, and acting in public.

Arousal prepares you for the situation. The sympathetic nervous system is activated, which may feel like an increased heart rate, sweating, or trembling hands. This arousal prepares the body to act in a situation perceived as important.

Being aware of your own nervousness helps in managing it. You can learn to manage nervousness by becoming familiar with how it manifests physically and mentally. Recognising bodily reactions and thought patterns is a step toward finding ways to calm down and relax.

Even good performers get nervous, and nervousness does not mean failure. Experienced performers are often nervous, and the right level of arousal supports successful performance.

Learn more about the topic in the following articles.