I’ve participated in singing competitions before, and every time I arrive at the venue, my heart starts racing and my breathing quickens. How should I deal with this?

Some people might say:
1. "Just ignore it" (I can't seem to do that 😝);
2. Try to control or resist these feelings (but wouldn't that be like struggling in quicksand—the more you struggle, the deeper you sink?);
3. Practice mindfulness to observe and accept these physical reactions (this has really helped me 🥹🥹🥹).

In psychology, there is another approach—reinterpreting the physical reactions our bodies experience from a different perspective.

When we experience a racing heart or rapid breathing, we can view it as a form of "excitement" or "anticipation." It might be the "joy" of wanting to belt out a song, or the "thrill" and "enthusiasm" of having a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

I wonder, if we look at it this way, would we have a completely different experience?

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