What do you do if your energy levels are low during a presentation?

Presenting can be exhilarating, yet it demands a significant amount of energy, which can sometimes wane. When you're standing before an audience and your energy levels start to dip, it can be challenging to maintain engagement and deliver your message effectively. The key is to recognize the signs of flagging energy and have strategies in place to counteract them. Whether it's through physical movement, audience interaction, or mental rejuvenation, there are various ways to reinvigorate your presentation and ensure that your message resonates with clarity and enthusiasm.

Find expert answers in this collaborative article

Selected by the community from 5 contributions. Learn more

1 Boost Hydration

Staying hydrated is crucial for maintaining energy levels. Before you step onto the stage, make sure you drink plenty of water. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, so keeping a bottle of water at hand during your presentation allows you to take sips regularly. This not only helps to keep your throat clear, especially important when speaking for extended periods, but also keeps your brain functioning at its best. If you feel your energy flagging, a quick drink can help refresh you and keep you alert.

Add your perspective

Gaurav Shukla

Senior Client Relationship Manager @ Global Applications Solution | MBA
Report contribution
tay hydrated: Drink water before and during your presentation to keep your energy levels up and maintain focus. Move around: Use movement to energize yourself and engage the audience. Walk around the stage or use gestures to add dynamism to your delivery. Take deep breaths: Practice deep breathing exercises to oxygenate your brain and body, reducing stress and boosting energy.

Like

2 Utilize Breathing

Breathing techniques can be a lifesaver when you're feeling low on energy during a presentation. Deep breathing can help to calm your nerves and increase oxygen flow to your brain, giving you a much-needed boost. Practice taking slow, deep breaths before and even during your presentation. This will not only help you relax but also ensure that you're thinking clearly and projecting your voice with confidence.

Add your perspective

Gaurav Shukla

Senior Client Relationship Manager @ Global Applications Solution | MBA
Report contribution
Use vocal variety: Vary your tone, pitch, and pace to add excitement and keep the audience engaged. Avoid speaking in a monotone voice. Use visuals: Incorporate dynamic visuals, videos, or graphics to add visual interest and stimulate audience engagement, enhancing overall energy levels.

Like

3 Engage the Audience

When your energy dips, getting the audience involved can provide a mutual energy exchange. Ask questions, encourage participation, or initiate a brief discussion to break the monotony. This interaction can invigorate both you and your audience, making the presentation more dynamic. Remember, the more engaged your audience is, the more responsive they'll be, which in turn can help lift your spirits and energy levels.

Add your perspective

4 Move Around

Physical movement can have an immediate impact on your energy levels. If you're feeling sluggish, don't be afraid to move around the stage or gesture more with your hands. This can help increase your heart rate slightly and pump more blood and oxygen to your brain. Plus, it makes for a more engaging presentation as it draws the audience's attention and can help emphasize important points.

Add your perspective

Mohamad Hamze

Product Owner @ BWI | Water and agricultural management
Report contribution
First, If you're lacking energy, try moving around . Walking around or using expressive gestures can not only help to wake you up but also capture the audience's attention. It adds dynamism. Next, keep a bottle or a cup of water handy and take sips regularly throughout your presentation. Dehydration can lead to fatigue. Lastly, engage with your audience. Interaction can provide a much-needed energy boost for both you and them. Ask questions, encourage participation, or initiate a brief discussion to break the monotony.

Like

5 Mental Reset

Sometimes, a mental reset is what's needed to recharge during a presentation. This could be a short pause where you take a moment to collect your thoughts, or employing a visualization technique where you imagine drawing energy from the crowd or envisioning a successful outcome. These mental strategies can provide a quick burst of renewed focus and enthusiasm.

Add your perspective

Janani Arumugam

Analyst- PMO | Expertise in Health Care, Defence and Insurance Domains| Cloud Solutions and Agile Methodologies|Motivation Consultant
(edited)
Report contribution
Recollect the purpose and the impact of take away . Catch on the bite. Trigger the bullet, aim and shoot. The take away by crowd is my reward that's is going to give energy with an energy drink to aid..

Like

6 Power Snacks

Lastly, consider having a small, energy-boosting snack before your presentation. Foods like bananas or a handful of nuts can give you a quick source of energy without making you feel full or sluggish. It's important to avoid heavy meals right before presenting, as they can lead to a drop in energy as your body focuses on digestion.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Andre Conejo, MSc

Strategist | Advisory Board Member | PhD Candidate | My purpose is to positively transform companies and develop their leadership
Report contribution
There are two major assumptions when presenting: (i) the one who has the higher energy always wins and (ii) NEVER BE BORING! When you feel that the energy is dropping during the presentation, reset your physiology. Reading the audience and the type of the audience / environment, be creative in using tools to do so, such as, but not limited to: speak louder, change your pace, move around the stage, jump!

Like

What do you do if your energy levels are low during a presentation?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Boost Hydration

2 Utilize Breathing

3 Engage the Audience

4 Move Around

5 Mental Reset

6 Power Snacks

7 Here’s what else to consider

Presentations

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Presentations

More relevant reading

What do you do if your energy levels are low during a presentation?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Boost Hydration

2 Utilize Breathing

3 Engage the Audience

4 Move Around

5 Mental Reset

6 Power Snacks

7 Here’s what else to consider

Presentations

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills