Nearly 70 million people experience some form of stuttering when they speak.
If you stutter, you may find that it only happens in certain situations, that it seems to vary in intensity, or even that your stutter worsens when you’re anxious.
You want to learn how to stop stuttering so you can express yourself, stop being bullied, and gain more confidence.
This post is here to help.
Read on to learn more about finding a stuttering cure that works for you.
1. Encourage Others to Let You Speak
If you want to learn how to stop stuttering successfully, you need to ensure that those around you give you the time to finish speaking.
Many people think they’re helping someone with a stutter by trying to “guess” what you’ll say next and “fill in the blanks” for you. In reality, this is frustrating and doesn’t give you the chance to practice speaking, even with a stutter.
Let the people in your life know that, while you appreciate their efforts, it’s much more helpful if they’re patient and let you speak unassisted.
You can also speak to them about some of the most common misconceptions about people who stutter so that they can effectively support you.
2. Take a Speech Class
Especially if you experience performance anxiety and stutter most when you’re nervous, reading in front of others, or even speaking up in class or at a work meeting, taking a speech class can help.
You’ll learn more about what causes stuttering, experiment with electronic speaking aids that can help you to manage your stutter, and even strengthen your tongue muscles to improve your speech.
Online speech therapy courses are also available for those who are unable to travel to an in-person class.
Plus, having the chance to learn from people who either have a stutter or have overcome one in the past offers a unique sense of camaraderie and support — which can be an excellent boost to your confidence.
3. Speak Slowly and Move
Finally, practice speaking much more slowly than you might be used to.
While there’s certainly a temptation to speak as quickly as possible to, in a sense, “beat” your stutter before it begins, the best thing you can do for yourself is to take a deep breath and practice taking your time.
Additionally, many people who stutter find it helpful to walk/move around while they’re speaking.
Even smaller movements can help to keep your stutter under control.
How to Stop Stuttering: Wrapping Up
Above all, remember that learning how to stop stuttering takes time and practice.
Yes, there will be some setbacks on your journey, and you’ll spend more time than you’d like to educate others about your stutter.
However, progress is completely possible.
Looking for more advice on how to improve your physical and mental health?
Whether you want to speak to a therapist or try a new workout routine to reduce your stress levels, we’ve got you covered. Keep checking back with us to make sure you don’t miss out.
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