Dear Dish-It: Help Me Calm My Nerves!

Dear Dish-It,

I’m going to be performing in The Nutcracker this weekend. It’s a really popular ballet, and it’s a huge deal. I’m super nervous. How can I calm my nerves?

Nervous Ballerina

The Nutcracker Ballet

Dear Nervous Ballerina,

It’s okay to be nervous. Anyone in your shoes would be nervous too. Luckily, there are some simple things you can do calm yourself down. They may seem obvious, but trust me, they work!

Practice

The best thing you can do for yourself is practice, practice, practice. The better you know your dance steps, the more secure you’ll feel going into opening night. Even try performing your part in front of an audience - such as your family, friends or class - just to get used to being in the spotlight.

Take Deep Breaths

There’s something to be said for deep breathing. It really does help to calm the nerves. That’s why so many people are into meditation these days. It helps relieve you of life’s stresses. Simply sit in a quiet place and clear your mind. Take a deep breath and then let it out slowly. Repeat this until you feel relaxed.

Everybody Makes Mistakes

Remember that no matter how important this performance is, it’s not the end of the world if you make a mistake. But the more you practice, the more your moves will become second nature, and the less chance you’ll have of making an error. This is a wonderful opportunity, so instead of worrying, just try to have fun with it. 

Have Your Say

Do you have any advice for Nervous Ballerina? Leave your comment below!