how to stop laughing during presentation

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Present a PowerPoint Without Laughing?

How do I present a PowerPoint or a slide from any other program without laughing? This was one of the challenging questions that someone posted on Quora , and I decided to take up the challenge. Here is my answer based upon what I answered on Quora, but I have expanded this version extensively.

First of all, when you ask how to present PowerPoint without laughing, there may be only a few scenarios in which this question is applicable. I may have not even imagined some of them, and add your own scenarios in the comments: )

Here are some scenarios:

• You are presenting within your family at an event such as a wedding or a birthday party. Your slides may contain funny pictures and it may be difficult to speak with a straight face. But you cannot laugh because some content is best presented with a straight face. Also, you may have something even funnier coming up next!
• You are not in a family environment. In fact, you are now presenting at a board meeting with high stakes but there’s one slide that has a cartoon or a picture that needs to be presented. Yes, this visual is funny, but you have to ensure that you present it in a way that it does not look too funny. If you laugh, it may appear unprofessional.
• You are doing a Pecha Kucha style presentation, and even though you can laugh, laughing takes time! You have only 20 seconds to present each slide.
• Your slides are so terrible that you rather laugh than cry. Even then, laughing is not an option.
• You are presenting to a multi-lingual audience and something that is funny in your culture is sacred in another culture. Laughing may hurt the sentiments of others, and thus may not be the best option.

So how do you prevent yourself from laughing? I admit it is difficult to not laugh when you find something funny. This is the same as asking you to “not remember a mango,” and you are sure to remember a mango because you were told not to!

Having said so, here are some thoughts that can possibly prevent you from laughing:

Laugh Before You Present

Try and laugh even before you present, preferably with a friend or colleague who can provide you with some support. Then, when you present, you may be able to control your laughter. After all, how many times can you laugh at the same joke?

Think About Others

Think that if you do not laugh, you will be respecting the sentiments of others in the audience. That will help you. Helping others is an emotion that can help you too. Your most important obligation is towards your audience, and not towards yourself.

Think About Yourself

Clearly, there is a compelling need to not laugh, and laughing may prevent the success of your presentation. So you owe it to yourself to not laugh. After all, you do want your presentation to be a success.

Visualize Somber Thoughts

Think about something that’s moderately sad. And think that by not laughing, you are showing your support for a cause.

Believe in Your Message

Your message is important, and laughing may dilute it. Don’t you owe it to your audience to make sure that they don’t get distracted by laughter?

Reduce the Duration of the Funny Part

Time your presentation so that the duration of the funny part is small, and even better, squeeze it between two serious topics. Before the audience can decide whether they should laugh or not, you are already talking about something else.

Avoid Eye Contact During the Funny Part

I never thought I’ll ask anyone to avoid eye contact while presenting, but for the brief period when there’s something funny being shown, avoid eye contact. Even better, identify someone who is serious or someone who doesn’t like you at all, and look at them straight in the eye without a smile–if this person laughs with you, at least you gained something: ) But be sincere.

Postpone Your Laughter

Promise yourself a treat at a restaurant if you do not laugh. Also, you can laugh after the presentation, but you know, it may be difficult to laugh later!

Of course, there’s more to presentations than just preventing laughter. Learn more about these skills on this site!

The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organization, employer, or company.

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Filed Under: Thoughts Tagged as: Laughter , Opinion , PowerPoint , Presentation Skills , Slides

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How to Stop Laughing at Inappropriate Times

Last Updated: March 15, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Trudi Griffin, LPC, MS and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA . Trudi Griffin is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wisconsin specializing in Addictions and Mental Health. She provides therapy to people who struggle with addictions, mental health, and trauma in community health settings and private practice. She received her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marquette University in 2011. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 2,115,723 times.

Although laughing at inappropriate times can be embarrassing, it’s actually a natural reaction for some people when they’re facing a highly stressful situation. This could be because laughter makes you feel better about what’s happening, even if it’s a bad situation. [1] X Research source It could also be a reaction to help you relieve stress and release your own tension. When inappropriate laughter negatively affects your life, start by curbing your urge to laugh. If this doesn’t work, you may need to treat the underlying causes of your laughter. When you can’t stop laughing, you can cope with it instead.

Tips to Stop Laughing in Serious Situations

Pinch yourself in the arm, count backwards from 100, or make a to-do list in your head to distract yourself. Identify what triggers your laughter, then replace it with other behaviors like licking your lips or clicking a pen. If you can't contain your laughter, excuse yourself and move to a private area.

Curbing Your Urge to Laugh

Quick Distractions Pinch yourself. The slight pain will distract you from your urge to laugh. Count backwards from 100. Turning your attention to something banal, like numbers, will calm your emotions. Make a list in your head. Groceries, things to do, vacation destinations, favorite movies—choose a simple topic and go with it. The rote listing will help you feel more in control. Look for a certain color in the room. Choose any color and see how many places you can spot it in the area. This small goal will shift your focus from laughter and your emotions. Sing a song to yourself. It can be as simple as the ABC’s! Thinking of a tune and reciting lyrics is a great way to get your mind off of your emotions and urge to laugh.

• Consider the time, location, occasion, and people who could be causing your laughter. These are called your triggers. Once you know what they are, you can begin to address your habit of laughing. [3] X Research source

• For example, you may laugh nervously during work meetings. If this is the case, click your pen instead of laughing.
• If you tend to laugh at serious moments, take a deep breath and then exhale at moments when you’d typically laugh.

• Tell yourself, “The next time I feel awkward in a work meeting, I will click my pen,” or “When I go to the funeral, I will nod when people share their condolences.”

Dealing with Social Anxiety Make a list of situations that scare you. Think about what makes you nervous about them and what you can do to combat that. Then, be brave and try them out. Take small steps and bring a friend or someone your trust. Write down successful social outings. Focus on what went well, how you overcame your fears, and how great you felt afterwards. Identify the negative thoughts that are holding you back. You might try to predict the future, fear the worst, or worry that other people are judging you. Realize when you don’t have control over something, like the thoughts of others, and make peace with it. Try encouraging thoughts instead. Anytime you start thinking negatively, stop yourself. Take a deep breath and push yourself to think of something encouraging instead, like “I can’t succeed if I don’t try.” See a therapist. If you need help dealing with your social anxiety, make an appointment with a therapist to talk through your difficulties and learn more coping strategies.

Basic Mindfulness Exercises Close your eyes and repeat a mantra. Think about a word or saying that focuses you, such as “calm” or “breathe.” Maintain this for 5 minutes a day, allowing thoughts to come and go without focusing on them or passing judgment. Simply breathe and return to your mantra . Do a body scan. Notice subtle sensations in your body, like itching or tingling. Let them pass without judging or acting on them. Slowly scan each body part from your toes to the top of your head. Acknowledge your emotions. Allow yourself to feel things without judgment. When you notice an emotion, name it, like “sadness” or “discomfort.” Stay relaxed, accept its presence, and let it go.

Coping with Inappropriate Laughter

• Go to the restroom if you’re at a funeral or in the office.
• Walk away or get back in your car if you’re at an accident scene.
• Leave the room if someone’s said something inappropriate.

• This works well for times you start to involuntarily laugh before you have a chance to stop yourself.
• You can also pretend to blow your nose.

• Say, “I’m so sorry for laughing at your father’s funeral. I want you to know that I didn’t find anything funny, I just laugh when I feel sad. I hope that I haven’t hurt you.”

Treating Conditions that Cause Inappropriate Laughing

• You can find a therapist by searching online.

• Your doctor will determine if the medication is right for you. SSRIs do not help all patients, and they could interfere with other medications.

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help you learn to recognize when you may laugh and learn to control it. [12] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source

Expert Q&A

Reader Videos

• Stare at something in the room and focus on your breathing. Don't look at anyone else who is laughing or what made you laugh in the first place because then you will start to laugh again. Thanks Helpful 78 Not Helpful 9
• Take long and deep breaths only through your nose. Concentrate on not opening your mouth. Thanks Helpful 51 Not Helpful 12
• Try physically pulling the corners of your mouth down into a frown. This can signal to your brain that you are sad. Thanks Helpful 44 Not Helpful 19

Tips from our Readers

• When I can't control my laughter, I try to think of something sad or something that makes me angry.
• If someone catches you laughing at a random time, make up a funny story to explain yourself.

• If you are unable to stop laughing (or crying) uncontrollably at inappropriate times, a neurological disorder, caused by injury or illness in the brain, may be the cause. If this may be the case, you should visit your healthcare provider. Thanks Helpful 55 Not Helpful 13
• Do not bite down on your lip, tongue, or cheek, as this can cause injury. Thanks Helpful 66 Not Helpful 19

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/happiness-in-world/201101/why-we-laugh
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-antidepressant-diet/201709/distracting-yourself-better-mood
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/emotional-awareness.html
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/tics.html
• ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-management.htm
• ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/social-anxiety-disorder.htm
• ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/harvard/benefits-of-mindfulness.htm
• ↑ https://adaa.org/tips
• ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/finding-a-therapist-who-can-help-you-heal.htm
• ↑ https://psychcentral.com/lib/involuntary-emotional-expression-disorder/
• ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21208-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-cbt

About This Article

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

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If you get the urge to laugh at a bad time, calm yourself down by thinking of something sad or even scary. Distract yourself by discreetly pinching your arm or biting your lip, inner cheek or tongue. To cover a laugh, exhale completely and cough a bit. For more tips from our Counselor co-author on how to distract yourself, like silently reciting multiplication tables, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Stop Laughing When You’re Public Speaking

Public speaking is the act of giving general information to a multitude of audiences concerning a specific topic. When talking to the public, you need to be cautious and follow some simple precautions which will help stop you from laughing during your speech, even messing up so much. There are several things you need to consider during the public speaking time so you can avoid laughing unnecessarily. Check out the ideas below and start putting them into practice.

Tips For Proper Public Speaking

2. Have a good sitting or standing posture . Here, you need to avoid any funny poses that can make you laugh again or provoke others to laugh. When you use the best position, your authority and credible facts will give your audience interest in you. Ensure you are proud of your topic and take time to breathe as you relax when needed.

3. You should always notice your entire audience . Ensure your attention isn’t just observing some weird characters but seeing those who aren’t attentive and looking for a way to make them active and engage more (rather than secretly tapping away on their phone). Whenever you speak, be mindful of the reactions of your audience as they respond to you. That will help you get closer to them, and you won’t need to start laughing nervously at them.

4. You should take things at your pace . Avoid unnecessary fast speaking and only speak what is expected of you and when you think you’re supposed to talk. When you talk less to your audience, there’s less opportunity to get things wrong. Less is more is an excellent maxim. Also, keep an eye out for their responses so that everyone can get to grips with your topic and understand what you’re saying.

5. Focus! You should always pay attention to your senses as your mind processes everything that’s happening. Use your senses well when needed, and be a good listener as well. Don’t jump to conclusions by inadvertently laughing out loud. Make sure you are free and able to give time to your thoughts so you can fully know when and how to approach any questions that arise.

6. You should always project your energy outwards – this covers anything from not mumbling to putting some inflection into your speech rather than just reading the PowerPoint out in boring monotone. You should always consider your audience, not yourself. Always try to satisfy the needs of your listeners.

7. Whenever talking, still keep eye contact with the audience (but don’t stare at just one person!). Ensure that they don’t get distracted and neither do you. Focus and whenever you remember a joke which will make you laugh, share with them so they can share it with you. But remember that humour can be very individual so, if in doubt, stay serious. Often a simple smile can be a  better way of expressing things.

8. Silence is another weapon for fighting weird behavior in front of your audience. Leave short gaps (not so long that people think you’ve forgotten your words) and your presentation will be clear and well paced as your audience learns more of the information you share with them.

Maintaining excellent skills when presenting is courteous to your audience and that will make them more attentive throughout the presentation. Follow these ideas to help you when you’re public speaking .

Related Posts:

How To Stop Laughing In Serious Situations: 12 Things That Work

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Have you ever attended the funeral of a close family member and been plagued with an attack of giggles?

Perhaps it was while someone was talking about how much that family member meant to them. In the middle of sniffles and the surreptitious wiping of tears, you were struggling against the inappropriate urge to burst into laughter.

Maybe your uncomfortable fit of laughter occurred at work during a board meeting to discuss how the company is not reaching the financial targets set. Definitely not a topic that should amuse anyone.

Whatever happened, you had an overwhelming urge to burst into laughter. What made the situation worse was your awareness that laughter in that situation was highly improper. But that only made it more difficult to stop.

That can be an extremely embarrassing predicament to be in, especially with people looking at you like you’re some kind of insensitive and disrespectful monster.

If you have been in this situation before, the shame of uncontrollable laughter can be enough to cause social anxiety. Who wants to be in a situation where you are going to offend people you respect or love?

Luckily, you are not the only person to struggle with laughter in serious situations. It happens to many people and for different reasons.

Let’s look at what causes this uncontrollable laughter and what to do when it happens.

Speak to an accredited and experienced therapist to help you stop laughing at inappropriate times. You may want to try speaking to one via BetterHelp.com for quality care at its most convenient.

Why Do You Laugh In Serious Situations?

There are many reasons our emotions betray us by causing us to burst into laughter in highly stressful or sensitive situations. Knowing what causes these embarrassing giggle fits can help take away the sting of guilt that comes with it and lead us towards coping skills or treatment to lessen future occurrences.

1. Natural reaction.

For some people, laughter is a natural reaction when faced with a highly stressful situation. When they face high levels of anxiety, confusion, stress, and discomfort, at that moment, their body triggers laughter as a defense mechanism to downregulate the emotion.

Some research has even found that nervous laughter may be a defense mechanism against emotions that may make us feel weak or vulnerable.

Laughter erupts from people who struggle with this condition to signal to the rest of the body that they are not in danger and that everything is ok. It helps them relieve stress, release tension, and calm the rest of the body down.

2. Social anxiety.

People who suffer with social anxiety will struggle in situations where they are not familiar with the people or surroundings. They are fearful of or anxious about social situations because of a fear of negative judgment, embarrassment, or rejection.

This can lead to inappropriate behavior in these situations, such as spontaneous laughter.

Social Anxiety Disorder is one of the most common mental health disorders, with fifteen million American adults suffering from it, according to Mental Health America .

People living with this disorder often experience the following:

• physical symptoms, such as blushing, sweating, trembling, nausea, increased heart rate, and the mind “going blank”
• feelings of panic or panic attacks
• fear of experiencing anxiety or of seeming anxious in front of others
• an intense fear of judgment from others
• feelings of fear or dread in situations with other people, especially strangers
• feeling very self-conscious, embarrassed, or awkward in front of others
• having difficulty speaking
• avoiding situations that might trigger anxiety
• a rigid body posture and a soft voice during social interactions
• difficulty making or maintaining eye contact
• sensitivity to criticism, low self-esteem, and negative self-talk

While many people may have experienced one or several of the signs above, those with this disorder describe the anxiety they have as being overpowering and out of their control.

3. Neurological disorders.

Neurological disorders can also produce the urge to laugh in improper situations.

People who have suffered a stroke which affected the frontal lobes of the brain can have issues with uncontrollable laughter. When the frontal lobe of the brain is damaged, communication between it and the cerebellum is affected, which leads to improper laughter.

4. Tourette Syndrome or OCD.

If the inappropriate laughter occurs after a specific phrase or sentence, this could be a sign of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) or Tourette Syndrome, specifically Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS), as a type of vocal tic.

OCD is comorbid with Tourette Syndrome, which means that many people who have OCD eventually develop tics. According to the International OCD Foundation , nearly 60% of Tourette Syndrome sufferers have been reported to have OCD symptoms, 50% of children with OCD are reported to have had tics, and 15% met the criteria for Tourette Syndrome.

5. Psychiatric disorders.

Certain psychiatric disorders can cause uncontrollable laughter. In particular, psychiatric disorders that have hypomania – a lesser state of mania – as a symptom.

People with this symptom will be extremely happy most of the time, while also being very loud, hyperactive, energetic, and engaging in attention-seeking behavior.

An example of a psychiatric disorder that causes laughter at inappropriate times is schizophrenia. This happens because people with schizophrenia have difficulty regulating their emotions. They even experience hallucinations that are funny or induce anxious laughter. When they are having a manic episode, they can be very excited or feel powerful. Because they perceive the world differently than others do, they may be amused or excited by things/situations that do not provoke the same reaction in most people.

6. Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA)

Usually, people with Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA) have an underlying neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to control and express emotion.

The pseudobulbar affect is a condition that’s characterized by episodes of sudden uncontrollable and inappropriate laughing or crying. It commonly occurs in people who have neurological conditions or injuries, such as:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Traumatic brain injury
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease

Pseudobulbar affect is often undiagnosed or mistaken for mood disorders. However, once it is diagnosed, it can be properly managed with medication.

7. Illnesses

Different medical conditions can cause uncontrollable laughter. These illnesses include:

• Hyperthyroidism – Occurs when the thyroid gland makes too much of one or both thyroid hormones called T4 and T3.
• Graves Disease – This happens when the immune system makes too many antibodies that attach to thyroid cells. Having too much of the thyroid hormone can affect the nervous system. One symptom of this is nervous laughter, even when nothing is happening that is funny.
• Kuru (TSEs) – This is a rare condition known as a prion disease. It occurs when an abnormal protein called a prion infects the brain. This can stop the brain from functioning properly. It also damages the part of the brain called the cerebellum, which is where many emotional processes are located.

How To Stop Laughing In Serious Situations

With all the possible medical, psychiatric, and neurological disorders that could potentially cause people to break out in uncontrollable laughter at inappropriate times, it’s a wonder it doesn’t happen more often. But one thing is certain, you are not the only person who suffers from an inability to stop laughing at unsuitable times.

If you want to take back control of your emotions and feel less anxious in social situations that normally trigger a laughing attack, check out the following 12 coping skills that can help you control your laughter.

1. Get a medical checkup.

The first step is to get a comprehensive medical checkup to make sure you are physically and mentally fit. With so many causes of uncontrollable laughter, it’s better to ensure it is not the result of physical or mental impairment.

Many of the ailments mentioned above are easily treatable once diagnosed. So book a medical appointment as soon as you can to make sure you are mentally and physically healthy.

There is no need to continue suffering embarrassment in social situations when a treatable medical condition is the cause.

2. Identify your triggers.

What usually makes you laugh inappropriately? Do you burst into giggles when you’re nervous? Or is it when you’re feeling uncomfortable? Is it when you or people around you are feeling painful emotions that you get the uncontrollable urge to laugh? Take time out to identify what makes you laugh in improper situations.

Whatever the reason may be for bursting out into fits of uncontrollable laughter, write it down. Also, note the time, location, occasion, and even people present while you’re laughing. Anything that occurs repeatedly could be one of your triggers.

Once you’re able to identify your triggers, you can put together a plan to mitigate them once they show up. For example, if you notice you’re prone to laughing uncontrollably when you’re tired and under pressure, take steps to get extra rest and engage in stress-relieving self-care before a big presentation, meeting, or social event.

If you don’t know what triggers your laughing spells, you won’t know when they’re coming, nor will you be able to block them.

3. Distract yourself from the urge to laugh.

Perhaps you’re already at an emotional event, like someone’s funeral, and can feel the laughter bubbling up inside you. Quickly distract yourself from the giggles by doing any of the following:

• Pinch yourself – the slight pain will distract you from the urge to laugh
• Count backwards from 100 or say the alphabet backwards
• Make a list in your head, such as a grocery list or to-do list
• Look for a certain color in the room and count the number of objects in the room with that color
• Sing a song to yourself – it can be something simple like the ABCs

If you find yourself wanting to laugh during an office meeting, try clicking a pen or twirling it around your fingers. You could even try nodding along to what is being said or repeating what is being said in your head.

Take your mind off the situation or whatever it is you find so amusing and replace it with behavior that you can do inconspicuously.

4. Learn to cope with Social Anxiety Disorder. 

If you have been diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder, work with a licensed therapist to learn coping skills that will help you better manage social situations. Treatment options for this disorder include:

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy – This method will help you learn how to control anxiety using relaxation and breathing techniques. You’ll also learn how to replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
• Exposure Therapy – Exposure therapy was developed to help people confront their fears. With this form of therapy, a safe environment is created in which individuals are “exposed” to the things they fear and subsequently avoid. This method eventually helps to reduce fear and decrease avoidance.
• Group Therapy – This method helps you learn social skills and techniques you can use to interact with people while in social settings. Therapy sessions are conducted in group sessions, which help you feel less alone as you interact with people who have the same fears as you do.

Your doctor may even suggest some medications to you if they find that will be a better approach to treat this disorder. Ask your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks involved in the different treatment options and choose the best option for you.

5. Move to a private location when you start to laugh.

If you feel the giggles coming on, quickly excuse yourself to go to the bathroom or wherever. Just leave the room as soon as possible so you don’t descend into laughter in front of everyone. Once there, laugh (quietly, of course) to your heart’s content.

Get it all out of your system.

This method works best when you know your triggers and are able to recognize the signs of laughter bubbling up inside you. The earlier you notice the signs, the sooner you can make a quick getaway to save yourself from embarrassment.

6. Cover up your laughter with a cough.

Sometimes the laughter sneaks up on you. One minute you’re fine, the next you’re struggling to keep your face straight.

In situations like this, cover up your laughter with a cough. Not only will this mask your amusement, but it will also take your mind off what is causing you to laugh so you can give a convincing performance. Bend over, cover your face, and pat your chest, all while trying to get your “cough” under control.

You should note that the cough gives you only a few seconds to get yourself together. So you need to be sure that will be enough time for you to get things under control. Thankfully, though, you can easily upgrade to a coughing fit, which will give you the opportunity to leave the room so you can gather yourself in private.

7. Write it down.

If you have an upcoming situation that you know will trigger you, take along a small notepad and pen with you. When you feel as if you’re about to laugh, act like you’re taking notes and write some affirmations on the notepad like “I am in control of my laughter and will release it later in private.” Write it over and over until you feel in control of your emotions.

Or if you prefer, you could actually take notes of what is being said. Not only will this save you from embarrassment, but you’ll also appear to be actively listening to what is being said.

8. Deep breathing exercises.

One of the best things about deep breathing exercises is that no one needs to know that you’re doing them. It helps center you, control your emotions, and relax anxiety that overstimulates your nervous system and brain.

Below is a breathing exercise from WebMD that you can try while seated:

With this exercise, you match how long you breathe in with how long you breathe out. Over time, you can increase how long you’re able to breathe in and out at a time.

• Sit comfortably on the floor or in a chair.
• Breathe in through your nose. As you do it, count to five.
• Breathe out through your nose to the count of five.
• Repeat several times.

Once you feel comfortable with breaths that last five counts, increase how long you breathe in and breathe out. You can work up to breaths that last up to 10 counts.

9. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) operates on the theory that how we think (cognition), how we feel (emotion), and how we act (behavior) are all interrelated. It seeks to help people understand how their thoughts affect their feelings and actions.

CBT teaches people to pay attention to their thoughts and notice when they make negative interpretations of their negative behavioral patterns, which reinforce the distorted thinking pattern.

A licensed therapist can use CBT to teach you how to track negative thoughts and disrupt nervous laughter with a conscious response.

10. Quiet meditation.

Quiet meditation, also known as Vipassana, is used to calm the mind and enhance concentration. When you practice quiet meditation, you turn inward where you are forced to confront uncomfortable thoughts and feelings.

Doing this for a prolonged period or repeatedly helps you to better process and manage your negative thoughts. It also teaches you how to stop reacting to negative situations or in negative circumstances.

The goal of silent meditation is for you to gain insight into the true nature of reality. In silence, you can examine your perception of situations or circumstances. The name “Vipassana” means to see things how they truly are and to not let talking, noise, or other forms of communication distract you from that or get in the way.

To practice silent meditation, you need to focus your attention on your breath. Every time your mind shifts its focus away from your breath or you get lost in thought, simply and gently bring your attention back to your breath.

Repeat this again and again until your session is over.

With Yoga, you’re not just training your body to handle life’s challenges as you move through the poses, but you’re also using the power of your breath and your mind to ground yourself. As a result, yoga poses can help relax both your mind and your body.

Practicing yoga for as little as five minutes can show you how calming and relaxing it is as you sync your movement and breath. When you deepen the stretch, you have to focus on your breath in order to hold it in proper form.

With regular practice of yoga, you’ll notice that it:

• Improves your mood
• Helps your mind relax
• Improves your focus
• Helps you get better quality sleep
• Reinforces better breathing techniques

A major benefit of practicing yoga and meditation is that they make you more aware of your body and how it feels. So if you have difficulty noticing your triggers, these two methods will help you better tune in to your body and your emotions.

12. Apologize for your laughter.

If you were unable to contain your laughter and let it slip out during an improper time, apologize to the host of the social gathering or meeting.

Shortly after the incident, explain to them your difficulties with handling stressful or emotionally charged situations. Tell them you’re sorry if your reaction hurt or offended them.

If you are upfront about your difficulties, most people will understand.

If you’ve been struggling with laughing in serious situations, you’ve probably suffered a lot of guilt and embarrassment from it. You are not the only person to suffer this challenge. It’s not because you are insensitive and do not understand human emotions.

If the laughter is not because of a medical condition, it is likely the result of your body kicking into defense mode to protect you from hurt and pain. Laughter is our weapon against suffering and despair. Even when we don’t want to, our bodies switch into defensive mode to protect us against a perceived attack.

While it may be annoying to experience in the moment, it is actually pretty amazing when you think about how our bodies look after us, even when we don’t realize that we need it.

Still not sure why you laugh in serious situations or how to stop? Talking to someone can really help you to handle whatever life throws at you. It’s a great way to get your thoughts and your worries out of your head so you can work through them.

Speak to a therapist about it. Why? Because they are trained to help people in situations like yours. They can help you to explore why you struggle to control your laughter, what’s behind that urge, and address those things with the aim of curbing your inappropriate laughter.

BetterHelp.com is a website where you can connect with a therapist via phone, video, or instant message.

While you may try to work through this yourself, it may be a bigger issue than self-help can address. And if it is affecting your mental well-being, relationships, or life in general, it is a significant thing that needs to be resolved.

Too many people try to muddle through and do their best to overcome issues that they never really get to grips with. If it’s at all possible in your circumstances, therapy is 100% the best way forward.

Here’s that link again if you’d like to learn more about the service BetterHelp.com provide and the process of getting started.

You’ve already taken the first step just by searching for and reading this article. The worst thing you can do right now is nothing. The best thing is to speak to a therapist. The next best thing is to implement everything you’ve learned in this article by yourself. The choice is yours.

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• 10 Nervous Habits That Reveal Someone’s Inner Anxiety And Tension
• 10 Effective Self-Soothing Techniques For Adults

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How to not be nervous for a presentation — 13 tips that work (really!)

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Why do I get nervous before presenting?

How not to be nervous when presenting, 5 techniques to control your nerves, quotes for inspiration, speak with confidence.

If you feel nervous or scared about talking to someone new, giving a speech, or being on stage, rest assured: you’re not alone. 

Experiencing symptoms of performance anxiety like an increased heart rate, trembling hands, or excessive sweating is perfectly normal. In fact, people often fear public speaking . But the more you’re immersed in these types of situations, the more comfortable you’ll become . 

We’ll explore how to not be nervous for a presentation and offer inspirational quotes to help you step out of your comfort zone.

Based on data from the National Social Anxiety Center, fear of public speaking is the most common phobia . The official term for this fear is glossophobia, colloquially termed stage fright.

Stage fright typically arises from the perception that when you're in front of a group of people, they'll judge you. The brain’s frontal lobe aids in memory, and when we’re stressed, increased stress hormones temporarily shut that region down . This is what causes us to freeze up and stop talking. 

There’s nothing wrong with being nervous. We all have different social comfort zones, communication styles, and presentation skills. But we can expand and improve our skills if we’re cognitively flexible .

Cognitive flexibility plays a big role in our behavior and attitudes and impacts our performance. You can use your fears as a catalyst for growth and learning — including giving a great presentation.

The following techniques will help you shift your thinking from reactive to proactive to combat nerves throughout the presentation experience:

Before the presentation:

1. Know your topic

Don’t wing it when it comes to presenting any topic. The better you understand your subject matter, the more confident you’ll feel. You can answer questions right away and won’t have to rely on your notes.

If there are a few points or any information you think might arise during the presentation or Q&A, research it and become comfortable speaking to the subject.

Here are a few ways to study: 

• Break down concepts onto notecards
• Practice answering questions  (especially the hard ones you hope no one asks)
• Explain complex information to peers and colleagues

2. Be organized

Take time to thoroughly plan each aspect of the presentation. Often, that means designing PowerPoint slides or other visual aids like videos. Clarify with the organizer what format and technology you’ll be using.

If it’ll be virtual, get your background and room organized, too. This ensures the presentation will go smoothly, in turn reducing stress.  Consider the following preparations:

• Invite your support network to the event
• Arrive early to set up tech and get comfortable in the space
• Practice timing your presentation with the time tracker you’ll use day-of
• Bring a water bottle and a snack
• Contact your manager or venue staff to discuss any accessibility or tech concerns

3. Practice, practice, practice

Whether you’re rehearsing in front of a mirror, family member, or pet, you can never practice enough. Ask for feedback about your body language , eye contact , and how loudly you project your voice.

If you’ll be giving the presentation on a video conference, record it on the platform to see how you look and sound.

4. Visualize your success

Thinking through possible outcomes is a great way to prepare — but it can also backfire on you. If you obsess over negative what-ifs, this failing mentality might become a self-fulfilling prophecy. 

The more often you fill your mind with positive thoughts and visualize your success, the more automatic they’ll be. Positive self-talk can make a big difference to your confidence. Run through the presentation — successfully — in your head.

During the presentation:

5. Focus on your material, not the audience

Your audience is there for your presentation — not to assess you. They’ll be looking at your colorful slides and listening to what you’re saying. Don’t let your mind fill with insecurities . 

6 . Don't fear silence

If your mind suddenly goes blank, that’s okay. It may seem like an eternity to you as you try to figure out what to say next, but it’s only a few seconds at most. 

Pausing isn’t a bad thing, anyway. You can use dramatic breaks advantageously to draw attention before the most important bits. 

7 . Speak slowly

Presentation anxiety often causes nervous energy, so we speak faster than normal. This might make you fumble your words or forget important details.

Slow down. Audience members will be thankful since they can understand you , and drawing out your speech will give you time to calm down, ground yourself , and stay organized.

8 . Take deep breaths and drink water

Breathing delivers oxygen to your brain, allowing you to think more clearly. Drinking water ups your energy, and also gives you a moment to pause. 

Smiling is a simple yet effective way to soothe your nerves. Doing so releases endorphins, helping you physically feel more confident. And a friendly face will make the audience more open to what you’re saying. 

10 . Remember the three "audience truths"

These include: 1) for the duration of the presentation, the audience believes you’re the expert, 2) they’re on your side, and 3) they don’t know when you make a mistake. 

After the presentation:

11. Recognize your success

Giving a presentation is something worth being proud of — celebrate it! In addition to family, friends, and coworkers, you deserve a high five from yourself, too.

1 2. Collect feedback

Feedback is a wonderful gift if you use it as a tool to help you do even better next time. Ask some of your audience members what they liked and what they didn’t. Remember, you can learn a lot from your mistakes . 

1 3. Don't beat yourself up

You did the best you could, and that’s all anyone — including you — can ask for. 

Nervousness is perfectly normal, but sometimes our symptoms hold us back from doing — and enjoying — scarier tasks. Here are five tips for overcoming nerves:

1. Practice impression management

Impression management requires projecting an image that contradicts how you actually feel. It’s essentially a “fake it ‘til you make it” strategy.  Let’s say you’re about to make a corporate-wide presentation and feel worried you’ll forget important information. You’ll counteract this worry by imagining yourself remembering every detail and delivering it entertainingly.

Learn from this practice by noting the information chosen in your hypothetical and how you expressed it effectively. 

2. Talk to someone

Emotions are contagious. We absorb others’ positive vibes . Chatting with people who are excited about and confident in our presentation abilities rubs off on us. 

Before a presentation, call a cheerleader in your life — someone who’s on your side and understands your nerves. Be specific, discussing which parts of presenting are nerve-wracking and what you need from them.

3. Do breathing exercises

Mindful breathing is when you pay attention to the sensation of inhaling and exhaling while controlling and deepening breath length. Breathwork has several health benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety and improving memory, attention, and focus. 

Before the presentation, find a quiet and solitary space. Breathe deeply for at least a minute, focusing on sensation and depth. This practice brings you into your body and out of your mind (away from nerve-wracking thoughts).

4. Practice reframing 

Reframing is a technique used in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) to improve negative automatic thought patterns over time. One such pattern is viewing certain emotions as bad, and others as good. Nervousness feels the same in the body as excitement. Instead of panicking even more when realizing you’re nervous, reframe your impression of nerves as excitement for what you’re about to do.

This excitement will propel you forward with confidence and pride for stepping out of your comfort zone and doing something scary.

Here are seven inspirational quotes to help you feel confident and excited when doing something you’re nervous about:

“You can speak well if your tongue can deliver the message of your heart.” John Ford

“ When speaking in public, your message — no matter how important — will not be effective or memorable if you don't have a clear structure. ” Patricia Fripp

“The most precious things in speech are the pauses.”  Sir Ralph Richardson

“The way you overcome shyness is to become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid.” Lady Bird Johnson

“It’s what you practice in private that you will be rewarded for in public.” Tony Robbins

“The worst speech you’ll ever give will be far better than the one you never give.” Fred Miller

Like any other skill, learning how to not be nervous for a presentation takes time and practice. Acknowledging this hurdle is the first step to making a change in the right direction.  Facing your fears will empower you to take on scarier — and more fulfilling — goals and enjoy the experience along the way. You don’t have to start with a TED Talk. Tackle small challenges like presenting an idea to your manager or practicing a short speech with a friend.  We won’t sugarcoat it — it’s hard to change our minds and habits. But if you’re willing to put in the effort, you’ll be rewarded with increased confidence and new experiences.

Elizabeth Perry

Content Marketing Manager, ACC

30 presentation feedback examples

6 presentation skills and how to improve them, how to give a good presentation that captivates any audience, reading the room gives you an edge — no matter who you're talking to, how to make a presentation interactive and exciting, the self presentation theory and how to present your best self, josh bersin on the importance of talent management in the modern workplace, 8 clever hooks for presentations (with tips), the 11 tips that will improve your public speaking skills, similar articles, 8 tip to improve your public speaking skills, the importance of good speech: 5 tips to be more articulate, overcome your public speaking anxiety with these 10 tips, stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

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Don’t Let Anxiety Sabotage Your Next Presentation

• Riaz Meghji

Stop focusing on yourself and start focusing on your audience.

If you want to beat speaking anxiety, you need to stop focusing on yourself and point your focus outward. This shift isn’t something that can happen instantaneously. It takes time, patience, and practice. Here’s how to get started.

• Be a giver, not a taker. Takers tend to have more anxiety. They want and need validation from their listeners.
• Givers, on the other hand, are all about service. They do work beforehand to connect with stakeholders and use the information they receive to address the needs of their audience. As a result, their presentation becomes less about them and more about helping the other people in the room.
• If you want to turn your presentation into an act of service, you need to talk to the people in the room — well before your presentation begins.
• Choose about three to five influential leaders, and meet with them before to learn their concerns and goals surrounding the topic you’re presenting on.
• Then, incorporate your findings into you presentation. This will help you shift your focus outwards, from yourself to the audience, and as a result, ease some of your nerves.

Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here .

How many times have you had an important message to share, only to be sabotaged by anxiety right before you speak?

• RM Riaz Meghji is a human connection keynote speaker, author of Every Conversation Counts: The 5 Habits of Human Connection That Build Extraordinary Relationships and creator of The Magnetic Presenter speaker coaching program. He is also an accomplished broadcaster with 17 years of television hosting experience. Riaz has hosted for Citytv’s Breakfast Television, MTV Canada, TEDxVancouver, CTV News, and the Toronto International Film Festival.  

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