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Deep breathing just prior to your presentation will calm your nerves. Take 5 or 10 minutes to close your eyes and focus on the sound of your own breathing. Is it regular? Is it deep? Try to take control of your breathing by taking a deep breath through your nose for a count of 5 seconds, hold it for 5 seconds, and breath out through your mouth for 5 seconds. If you do this exercise every morning in the lead up to your presentation for 5-10 minutes you will find that your breath control begins to improve. This will mean that it will be easier for you to speak in public without taking so many breaths.
One of the best side-effects of taking the time to do this exercise immediately prior to your oral presentation is that it will help to slow your heartrate down and thereby lower your stress levels. Once you are in control of your breathing, you will feel more in control of your entire presentation. The feeling of butterflies in the stomach in be calmed.
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