Click here to download this episode. Introductory remarks Listen to the full episode here 1. Why Butterflies? Adrenaline is one way your body works to protect you in a dangerous situation. Part of that protection includes making your heart and lungs work faster and stronger, making your muscles stronger, and helping you think more clearly to you can make quick decisions. The problem is, your brain wants to protect you and kick these things into action if you’re in real danger, say being chased by a bear, or not in real danger, say waiting to play your recital piece. Another group of muscles your brain puts on red alert is your stomach muscles. Since the early 1900s, that constriction of the stomach muscles has been called “butterflies in your stomach”. Maybe 'butterflies' sounds more gentle and calming that hummingbirds or ocean waves. 2. You Care The presence of butterflies shows that you care about this performance and that’s a very good sign. Because you care, you want to do your best. When you have the feelings and symptoms I’m describing on today’s show, don’t let them cause your more stress, recognize that your brain and your body are responding to the situation. 3. Heart Racing When your brain is in protection mode, it will cause your heart to beat faster to quickly get blood to all the places your body needs (like your legs if you’re running from that bear!) That’s a weird feeling but it’s normally not anything to worry about. You would feel the same way if you were in line to ride a roller coaster. That exhilaration can help you enjoy this experience even more. When you feel your heart beating faster, take a deep breath and remind your brain that you are not in danger, you are simply going to play the piano. 4. Shaky Hands They are ready for action! Remember I just told you your heart is beating faster to get the blood to all the places your body needs. This is to help you when you run. The problem is, if you’re sitting in a chair in a performance hall and not running, your muscles, with all their freshly oxygenated blood need to do something! Shaking helps get rid of the extra energy. You’re okay. In fact, you are perfectly normal! When you feel your hands shaking, take a deep breath and remind your brain that you are not in danger, you are simply going to play the piano. 5. Sweaty Palms Once again, this symptom should assure you that your brain and body are in normal working order and are ready to protect you if you ever find yourself in a dangerous situation (I hope you never have to put it to the test!) Sweaty palms - actually sweaty anywhere - when you are nervous is a way your body can control its temperature. The moisture in your hands would also come in “handy” if you needed to tackle that bear or climb a tree to escape. Since you don’t need extra moisture on your hands when playing the piano, keep a tissue or a handkerchief close by to dry them off before you play. 6. Quick Thinking Just like your heart is working extra hard to help you protect yourself from that bear, your brain is also in hyperwarp speed. Once again, this is great news if you really are in danger; your brain is thinking quickly and clearly to help you find solutions and get out of danger. If you’re sitting at the piano playing your recital piece, however, you may not realize just how fast you’re going.  7. Breathe Deeply Now that you know some of the things that happen when you’re nervous about a situation, I hope you can feel more confident. Your brain and body are doing exactly what God designed them to do - protect you! Since you know to look for these, they will not take you by surprise and they will not cause you even more stress or nervousness. When you feel any of these symptoms, butterflies in your stomach, heart racing, shaky hands, sweaty palms, remind yourself and your brain that you are not in any danger. Remind yourself to take deep breaths and think about the beautiful music you are going to share with the audience. 8.