Facets of performance anxiety include:
- lack of focus
- negative thoughts about a performance
- lack of concentration
- lack of physical stamina
- memory slips, mistakes
- “butterflies” or outright nausea
- shaky or constricted voice or embouchure
- dry mouth
- sweaty hands
- racing heart
- hyperventilation
- muscle tension
- fidgeting
- nervous body language
- tight or compromised speech
- poor projection
- inaccuracy and clumsiness (wrong notes, sloppy performance)
- gastrointestinal distress
- sleep disruption
- appetite disruption
Sound familiar? Read on… Who, Me? Nervous?