1. I think we look away bc of shame and not wanting to see facial expressions of listener. Looking at listener is a *simple body action* that can, over time, reverse that pattern of shame 2. I think we talk quickly bc of a subconscious hope to get the whole painful process of talking over with. Slowing down trains your brain to accept that you have a right to talk. It also gives opportunities to breathe normally (w occasional focus on exhale, belly breaths). The more you take up space while speaking clearly, the more you will feel ok taking up space while speaking clearly. I’m pretty sure that a secondary behavior is also stumbling over words and mumbling. That reinforces the belief that we are overall bad speakers. I’ve seen people here say speaking slowly makes them less desirable to the ladies. Honestly, that is a bizarre and unfounded concern. Especially bc I always suggest to *start* speaking slowly, and enunciate. Obviously speaking very slowly always is an odd behavior. So just begin slowly, and once you start rolling along, carefully return to standard speed - but probably not the speed you are used to bc I bet most stutterers often have a high rate of talking speed.