Anxiety over new job.

[Ben1505]

Hi, I recently started a new job at a new school. The job is a promotion and the staff are incredibly supportive. I didn't get any sleep the night before the interview and it happened again last week. I have to do some presenting in the job and I get nervous thinking about doing it, even though it goes ok. I am nervous every night and don't know whether I am going to get any sleep or not. Will this improve over time?

[Lizbett]

Yeah I think it will improve but that depends on you and your mindset. If you think and believe that things will go badly, then chances are that they will.

Read any book on how to do presentations and they will ALL tell you the same thing: practise, practise, PRACTISE. Do it in front of a mirror. Time yourself and be prepared. Know your subject REALLY well and don't waffle. After you've done that to the point that you're comfortable, ditch the negative thoughts and rest up.

Also, if you've ever watched TedTalks, all the speakers are comfortable in their own skins. Some have presented many times, others haven't. Having said that, their talks are slick and well timed. That's because they're passionate about their talk and also because they've fine-tuned their talk through practise.

Believe in yourself and your ability. The rest will follow.

[Ben1505]

Started to get sweaty palm and arms today sitting in a meeting... Heart was pounding really fast and I didn't want to be there... Is it still anxiety, or something worse? Dr Google says that they are symptoms of a heart attack!

It does hurt if I press to the left of my breast so perhaps I have stretched a muscle too far. A cold sore appeared yesterday so perhaps my immune system is down?