Turn Nerves to Excitement

Our brains and bodies physiologically present the experience of nervousness and excitement almost identically. If you think about it - when you are nervous your hands might be shaky and sweaty, your heart beats faster, you get butterflies in your stomach, your thoughts are racing. Similarly, when you are feeling excited you may also experience all of these same symptoms. This being said, you can see how hard it may be for our brain to decipher when we are feeling excited versus when we are feeling nervous.

The similarity of nerves and excitement actually can be advantageous to us, especially when experiencing nerves, as we ultimately get to control whether we want to have the mindset of being nervous or excited. Since these responses are so similar, in times we are feeling nervous we can turn those nerves into excitement.

Focus on your self-talk and looking forward to the activity rather than fearing it. Nerves tell us that we care about what we are going to do. Try relying on your breathing to calm down your nervous system. And remember, the hardest part is just getting started. Once you get going and take action, your nerves will subside.

Start allowing yourself to believe the narrative that nerves are normal and helpful. You get to control your response to nerves, your nerves are not controlling you.

Turn your nerves into excitement!

Is there something you're nervous about that's coming up?

Email mpcoachsaylor@gmail.com and let me know!