First Date Anxiety – What Is It And How To Overcome It

Does going on a first date make you anxious and nervous? If so, you are not alone; most people have first-date anxiety, and feeling this way can be unsettling. While going on a date is exciting, the jitters can make one cancel it. If any of such things have happened to you or you know someone anxious about going on a date, here we bring tips to overcome it. 

Understanding the causes and emotions that cause will help learn the strategies to manage it and make a difference. 

Dating – What Makes It Stressful?

Dating is meant to be enjoyable. However, the excitement of meeting someone new can stress a person. Feeling nervous when meeting someone new with whom you see a future is normal, but when this feeling starts to interfere with day-to-day functioning and the first date stresses a person, it is not right. 

Like any experience, the uncertainty of how a first date will unfold can be worrying and might make one think of negative outcomes. Also, the person might start to think about how things might go.

This excessive mental preoccupation can make one avoid the situation and disconnect from what’s happening in the present moment. Moreover, the possibility of overlooking the situation and connection in front of us is often overlooked. 

Related: Do I Have Anxiety? Free Anxiety Test!

What Causes Nervousness On A Date?

Feeling nervous on a date is a common reaction as a person starts to anticipate how things might go. As there is a desire to seek a new potentially romantic relationship, the person might feel anxious due to the following factors: 

1. Fear of being judged:

Humans tend to worry about being judged and evaluated. This feeling skyrockets, especially when it is about meeting a potential partner, and the person starts to become conscious about their looks, personality, or how they will be seen. This feeling and anticipation make one feel anxious. 

2. Desire for acceptance:

First dates usually come with the desire to be liked and accepted by the person. The fear of not meeting their expectations can lead to nervousness.

3. Uncertainty:

This is another factor that contributes to being nervous and triggers anxiety. The feeling of how the date will unfold, whether there will be a connection, or whether the relationship will go any further might make one feel uneasy and anxious.

4. Pressure to make an impression:

Wanting to leave an impression creates stress during first dates. This is why people are often concerned about how they will appear and be perceived and try to rehearse so that things go differently. All this leads to performance anxiety.

5. Past negative dating experiences:

Previous heartbreaks and bad experiences also contribute to feelings of apprehension as the person thinks about rejections or disappointments. Also, the past incident starts to haunt, and the person thinks negatively. 

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria

6. Potential romantic connection:

Some individuals experience anxiety as they see the potential of converting the first date into a formal romantic connection. This anticipation or expectation makes one feel scared, thinking about what will happen if things don’t turn out as they want.

All these thoughts and the fear of speaking something awkward that might spoil things make them feel nervous and jittery. 

Most people often see the first date as a stepping stone for any relationship. However, the perceived importance or desire to make things work out causes nervousness.

Moreover, talking to someone new, opening up, and sharing emotions and experiences makes one feel vulnerable, adding to discomfort. Moreover, overthinking, overanalyzing, and expectations also trigger physiological responses like increased heart rate, sweating, jitteriness, etc. 

How Can The Anxiety Of The First Date Be Calmed Down?

Mindfulness and being present are some of the proven ways to decrease first-date anxiety. The anxiety decreases when a person starts living in the present moment and stops thinking about what will happen. But how can one practice mindfulness and make it a part of your day-to-day routine? 

Here, we explain certain ways to embark on the mindfulness journey and soothe your nerves. These techniques will help enhance your dating experience and will make you shift your focus from being the future to the present.

1. Deep Breathing:

Breathing becomes easy when one centers oneself and soothes the nervous system. Slowly inhale through your nose and fill your lungs with fresh air to practice it. After that, gradually exhale through your mouth and feel that all the tension is being released as you breathe out.

2. Body Scanning:

Next, take a moment to scan the body so that you feel all the areas and can sense where you feel tension or tightness. You can relax the muscles as you focus on those parts of your body. If you cannot sense tension, then start from the top of your head to the toes, try to pay attention to each part, and relax. This will help you stay in the present and calm your senses.

3. Grounding Techniques:

As the name explains, these techniques connect one to the surroundings, allowing one to feel the sensations and notice the objects, nature, and things around them. As an individual starts to practice grounding techniques, disturbing thoughts start to fade, and they can concentrate more on their strengths than on how things might go on their first date. This helps enhance feelings of calmness and composure while reducing anxiety.

Tips for Dealing with First Date Jitters:

1. Take a moment to observe your surroundings, mindfully appreciating the colors, textures, and sounds without passing judgment. This can help divert your attention from your thoughts.

2. Be aware of your thoughts and avoid categorizing them as good or bad. Let the thoughts come and go; do not judge yourself or your thoughts.

3. Do not be judgmental about yourself and the dating experience. Your anxiety level will automatically decrease as you open up your experience and are ready to explore the dating world.

4. Practice positive affirmations, as they will help boost your confidence. You can repeat sentences like, I am calm. I am confident. I am open to new possibilities and ready to enter a new relationship. Repeat such affirmation and see things changing.

5. Visualize the date and see how well it is going. Imagine the conversations, the laughter, the feeling of being happy. This will help reduce stress, and you will know how things will be.

6. Acknowledge that it is okay to feel anxious. It is part of the journey, and emotions work like this. This will help you overcome first-date anxiety and allow you to embrace yourself.

7. Remember, you are not alone. Your date might feel the same way, so stop worrying about it. It is okay even if things don’t turn out the way you want. There is no harm in seeing how things will be.

8. Discuss your interests and hobbies if you don’t know where to start the conversation. Be yourself, and don’t overdo things; it is your first date. True connection can only be felt and maintained when you are honest.

9. Keep things simple and choose a familiar place. This will make you feel comfortable, and you can keep the conversation going without getting stressed.

10. Reach before time so you can give yourself time to settle down and get comfortable with the surroundings before meeting your date.

Stop Fearing and Getting Nervous

First dates aren’t something you should worry about or be fearful of. They are a way to open up and know new things, build relationships, and understand your personality. If you fear going on, there is a chance that you will never be able to know what you are missing out on. 

You can disappear the first date anxiety by stopping overthinking and dwelling on the past or future. Enjoy the experience without putting pressure on yourself. Remember that nobody is perfect, including you and your date. 

Regardless of how the date goes, see it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Reflect on what went and what you’d like to improve upon. Stay true to yourself and be present in each moment.

By following these suggestions, you’ll conquer any anxiety and establish strong connections. I wish you a great dating experience!