As exciting as dating can be, it can also be incredibly nerve-wracking and anxiety-inducing, even if you’re the most confident person on earth.
Meeting new people can be difficult and all sorts of thoughts are likely to be racing through your mind on date day and, when coupled with the added pressure of a potential new romance that you want to really take off, it has all the right ingredients for a recipe of disaster!
At the very least, it does if you don’t take a few precautionary steps to protect yourself and help you steady those first date jitters.
By taking a few moments to think things through and give yourself some coping strategies, you’re sure to have more fun when you’re on the date and find that you have a lot less to worry about than you might think. And this will then allow you to relax, which means the date is far more likely to be a successful one.
To help you prepare for your next big date, here are a few hints and tips from the team here at Select Personal Introductions. Don’t worry – you’re certainly not alone when it comes to dating nerves… we’re all in it together! We hope you find these suggestions of use. If you have any of your own to add, get in touch to let us know!
Get a good night’s sleep
Anxiety and stress can be an awful lot worse when you’ve not slept well and you may struggle to control your thoughts and emotions without decent rest.
So the night before your date, make sure you prioritise clean sleeping, staying off screens for a few hours before bed, drinking a warm drink, not eating too late and ensuring that your bedroom is dark enough for you to get your eight hours of beauty sleep.
Talk to a friend
If you’re really worried about it, give a close friend a quick call to chat through your worries and see if they have any fresh perspective they can give you. Voicing your fears can diminish them quite successfully… a problem shared is a problem halved and all that!
Plan something you’re comfortable with
Some people are really happy with a first date that lasts for hours, others are more keen to just go for a drink or two for the initial meeting, with something more lengthy from date two onwards. Make sure that whatever you have in mind is something you’re comfortable with, so that you’re not feeling anxious about the activity on top of everything else.
Indulge in some self-care
A great way to relax is to do some self-care, whether that’s having a long hot shower, doing some meditation, having an early night with your favourite book, putting on a face mask so you’re confident that your skin will glow on date day, having a bubble bath… self-care looks different for everyone. It’s all just about taking some time out just for you.
Get some exercise
Going for a run, training at the gym, going for a bike ride… even just going for a walk around your local area can really help get the blood flowing and give you lots of lovely endorphins. Your anxiety levels will drop, your happiness will increase and before you know it, you’ll be looking forward to your date… or, perhaps, even really excited about it!
Don’t take yourself too seriously
Try to remember that even if something does happen on the date that you’re worried about or you do something that you think is a bit embarrassing, just try and laugh it off. Everyone’s been there and nerves are natural… your date is sure to be understanding and laugh along with you.
Plan a short date
If you’re really worried about the event, planning a short date is a great idea, so you know the end is in sight if you suddenly feel as though your anxiety will overwhelm you. You can always do something more involved later down the line when you know the other person better and feel more comfortable.
Know that your date will be nervous too!
This is a super important one to remember! The person you’re meeting is also likely to be anxious and nervous, as well… they may be even worse off than you are! Bear that in mind at all times and hopefully it will make you feel less nervous, as a result.
Are you looking for an introductions dating service at the moment? Get in touch with us today to see how we can help you find love.