Hahahaha pal,:D you could say I haven,t lost a daughter ive gained a plumber, electrician, whatever occupation son inlaw has..
I've been taught to self-hypnotise and it got me back to work after 6 months of with depression and anxiety state. But I make a serious point - there is a BIG difference between stage hypnotism and self hypnotism ... Stage hypnotism - don't know what that is, probably more like mesmerism. It looks dangerous and I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. Self hypnotism is more like deep relaxation. You do it to yourself and it's just the same state you get into every night those last seconds before you fall asleep. It's natural and completely under your control. I would get into such a deep 'trance' that I would literally become aware of nothing but my consciousness. My body, the bed I was laying on, the room I was in, even exterior noises like birds, traffic and kids playing outside would fade into the background. BUT I could come out of it in an instant if I wanted to like if I just wanted to end the session. (proof of the relaxed state was when my cat jumped on my lap when I was in such a deep trance once - it was AGONY being wrenched from deeply relaxed to being startled in a split second - my muscles ached for a whole day afterwards!). And I could have mini trances at work. During lunch break, I would go into a trance while the rest of the staff were chatting. I would hear them chuckling and saying "Look - she's asleep again!" but I could hear every word. I was wide awake and yet having a rest that was as profound as a good sleep! I was (am) a dental phobic and could even get myself into a relaxed state whilst having treatment, even a filling, but I also have a really great dentist who is a registered clinical hypnotherapist so she understands that I need a few minutes to get myself ready for treatment. We also have a series of signals if I am becoming unable to maintain my relaxed state. However, after about 20 odd years of seeing her, we hardly ever need to use it now because the bond of trust is such that she can do anything and I can cope with it. I recommend it greatly. I still do it occasionally but I'm not as good at it as I used to be. However, as far as your nerves about doing the after dinner speech, better than any form of hypnotherapy would be if you got a few friends and/ot family together and practiced the speech to them first. Rehea-rse it and if necessary, more than once. It helps iron out inconsistencies and things you can't quite make come off. Some jokes are better read than said and aren't material for a speech. Get a book of wedding speech jokes - I've seen them around. Or just jokes. Use the professionals' work and I'm sure you do really well. Another tip - while you are speaking, forget the crowded room. Pick one person you have a good rapport with, make eye contact with them and talk to them (though not forgetting to cast your eyes around to room from time to time). Works every time!
I found it better to look in between people. they think that you are looking at them, but your not..a smile helps as well...you I mean not the audience.
:thumb: A tip I was given when I had to do some public speaking once & has held me up on several occasions since, is... .... Look the person straight in the face, then centre your eye contact just above the eyebrows and talk... The person thinks you are making eye contact, but in actual fact you are not.....!!!:D Works for me anyway..!:thumb: