What is one of the best ways to reduce speech anxiety?

Preparing until you are confident is one of the most effective strategies for reducing speech anxiety because it builds familiarity and mastery over the material you will be presenting. When you practice thoroughly, you become more comfortable with the content, which helps to alleviate feelings of anxiety and insecurity. This preparation allows you to anticipate potential questions or difficulties during the presentation, making you feel more in control of the situation.

Confidence gained through preparation positively impacts your delivery and reduces nervousness, enabling you to focus on your audience instead of your anxiety. Additionally, thorough preparation often includes practicing in front of others, which can further increase your comfort level and provide constructive feedback, further enhancing your ability to communicate effectively.

The other options do not contribute to anxiety reduction; in fact, they likely increase it because they promote a lack of preparation and practice, which are essential for building confidence and reducing fear in public speaking scenarios.