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Feeling nervous

We all feel nervous at times.

You might experience nerves when you are:

  • doing something in front of other people, like talking or performing
  • meeting new people
  • trying something new
  • taking a test

Your body reacts to nervousness in ways you can feel:

  • racing heart
  • tight chest
  • sweaty hands
  • dry mouth

Nervousness is your body's natural response to something you find stressful.

Like all feelings, nervousness is temporary, which means it won't last forever. In the meantime, when we are experiencing nerves, there are things we can do to manage it.

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Video - Advice on dealing with nerves

Wellbeing professional, Lorna Walker, takes us through a five senses check-in to help us with nerves.

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Activity - Five senses check-in

When you're feeling really nervous it can help to concentrate on the sensations in your body:

  • This can help to remind the body where it is
  • It can let you know that in this moment it is safe to calm down.

One way to do this is to check in with your five senses.

You don't have to tune into all five senses, just whatever you're able to, and whatever helps, but they can all be useful.

Five senses check-in

Go through your senses and try and focus on what each one is experiencing:

  • Five things you can see
  • Four things you can touch
  • Three things you can hear
  • Two things you can smell
  • One thing you can taste
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More to learn - Five senses

The five senses. list

Learn about the science behind your five senses.

The five senses
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