Exercise is one of the best things you can do to relieve anxiety. Activities like jogging, swimming, or yoga will help burn off the adrenaline that’s overwhelming your brain and causing your nervous symptoms. Exercise will also improve your sleep cycle, leaving you well-rested, more attentive, and less vulnerable to those symptoms. Consider a short run or visit to the hotel gym on the night before your reunion. Just don’t overdo it!
Breathing is often the first thing to change when you’re feeling nervous. Short, labored breaths lead to tense muscles and a rush of anxious thoughts and ideas. But don’t worry. A quick deep-breathing exercise should make you feel better. Inhale deeply for a count of three full seconds, and then slowly exhale for the same length. Doing this a few times should lower your heart rate and help calm your highly stimulated nervous system.
Nerves are mostly the result of adrenaline. And when we’re feeling nervous, our brains are flooded with ideas that we associate with stress. You may not be able to prevent thoughts like “I can’t” or “I’m not good enough,” but you can counter them with affirmations like “I can do this” or “I’m the most qualified.” This will help you to confront your fears and confidently overcome them.
It may sound silly, but practicing some of the conversations you’d like to have at your reunion really does help. We do this before job interviews, first dates, and presentations, so why not try it before a high school reunion? Consider what the ideal chat with that old girlfriend, teammate, coach, or teacher might sound like. Practice it in your head. When the time comes, it will likely be easier than you expected.
Whether it’s a new outfit, a fresh haircut, or a modest spa treatment, make a point to treat yourself to something special. The sense of renewal will fill you with confidence and help to calm your anxiety. Just be careful not to steal the show!
It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book. By speaking more slowly and clearly, you’ll be better understood and less likely to stumble on your words. And you’ll look and feel more confident. Remember to keep a glass or bottle of water handy to prevent dry mouth – and to provide an opportunity for an occasional pause in the chatter.
We hope you find these tips helpful. Remember that nervousness is a typical response to the unfamiliar, and many of your former school mates will be feeling it, too. Go in confident, and stay that way. Good luck, and have fun!
