Lots of great tips for what works for people here - and excellent comprehensive ideas from equus...

Just adding one idea/technique of mine.

When I first tried standing, I couldn't do it for long because I felt unstable - I suddenly realised if I stood and kept my thighs just touching the saddle, I felt more in control.

Now I am so used to it, I don't need the physical reassurance to know where my bike is... but it really helped with my confidence and understadning about my bike and me and the space we shared...