11 Hacks For Calming Your Nerves Before A First Date

It’s understandable to be a bit unnerved about a first date. If you can acknowledge the rationality of your emotions, it might help you better accept them. "The anxiety you feel could be in proportion to the potential which you attribute to the [dating] process,” says life coach Caleb Backe. “It’s easy to see why you’d get all worked up.”

"For some people just meeting someone new can be an anxiety-provoking experience,” adds Dawn Michael, a sexologist and sexuality counselor. “Then add in the idea that it may be someone you eventually end up with — that's a lot of pressure put on a situation."

While movie tropes love a surprise first date, experts recommend against it. "Be involved in the planning process to relieve and prevent stress," Heathman says. "Know where the date will occur and agree on something you enjoy." A back-and-forth round of “What do you want to do?” might feel unnecessary polite, but setting strict plans for the date can help mitigate your anxiety.

"A general recommendation [I give] has to do with safety and comfortability," says Kristin Marie Bennion, a social worker and sex therapist. "Meet in public and familiarize yourself with [the] restaurant, including what to order. … This gives a sense of being on your own turf, which can eliminate potentially stressful aspects that come with unfamiliar territory."

"Plan the first date to be relatively short,” Heathman recommends. “If there’s a connection, you can always extend the date or agree to a second date.”

Make plans with friends after, or schedule an activity that requires a fixed amount of time. Having an exit plan also helps. "First dates are scary because there’s so much unknown about the person you’re meeting," Shane says. "When you're feeling the jitters, take deep breaths and think about your exit plan. Whether this is tied to a friend calling with a fake emergency, or scheduling plans for an hour after the date begins so you're forced to make the meeting quick, reminding yourself that you have a way out can help you to not feel trapped."

“Active” is the key word root here. If you don't want your date to feel like an interview, don't set it up as such. "Avoid dinner for the first date,” recommends Nicole Richardson, a counselor and therapist. “Find an activity like Putt-Putt or [visiting] an art gallery so you have something to talk about [besides] the standard first-date questions, which can put people on edge and make them anxious.”

This way, you'll be doing something you enjoy, regardless of your rapport. "Rather than over-analyzing whether you like this person or this person likes you, ask yourself 'Will I have a fun, safe time on this date?' If you believe the answer is yes, then go!" says life coach Jane Scudder.

While scheduling your date for the same day as a big work presentation isn’t a great idea, it’s also ill-advised to clear the day entirely, Bennion says. Find a balance that works for you. And, adds Michael, "It’s always a good idea to be clean and feel your best. Some people enjoy taking a bath and using bath salts or a cleansing mask.”

It's been proven that music affects your mood, so if you need something to calm you down or boost you up, bet on a melody. "Every person responds to different types of music, so it's important to pick something that caters to [your] personality,” Bennion says. “Such as music that is distracting, empowering, or erotic — whatever is most helpful in preparation for the date."

Easier said than done. If you've ever felt the need to hold yourself to higher standards for a first date, this one's for you: "The key to being a better date, and having a better date, is getting in touch with who you are, without resorting to unnecessary judgement,” Backe says. “A good self-care technique is to approach yourself as if you don’t know who you are. Grab a few minutes before the date is scheduled to take place, stand in front of the mirror, and look at yourself truthfully."

"We are our own biggest critics,” Heathman adds. “We perceive even the smallest flaws that peers never recognize.” You wouldn't expect your date to be perfect, so don't put that pressure on yourself.

Richardson recommends resisting the temptation to gab about the date before it happens. "Try not to talk to too many people about it," she says. "They are well intentioned, but will all give you advice and a lot of it will contradict, which could make you confused and even more anxious.” She recommends talking to one or two close friends. “Get it out, and let them soothe you,” she says.

The New York Times vows column is full of couples who started as friends, and who maintained that platonic rapport for years before it evolved into romance. "Get yourself in a mindset of meeting up with a new friend, which can take the pressure off of [acting] a ‘certain way,’” Richardson says. “Remember that you are enough, and this person could be a good friend.” Sparks don’t need to fly the first time you meet.

"Set the intention to have fun, and enjoy yourself, regardless of whether it's a love match," adds Jasmin Terrany, a mental health counselor. "Be curious, be interested to get to know someone, and learn something new. We are all human, we are all flawed. It's OK for you to be human and real."

Your date is a person, too, and someone equally susceptible to first-date jitters. "It can be useful to remember that everyone feels vulnerable on a first date," Bennion says. "The person you are going out with doesn't want to feel rejected, either. Remembering that first dates are inherently risky for everyone involved can be normalizing and grounding." You're both putting yourself out there, and there's an equal possibility of you rejecting them.

You've got everything planned, the playlist is pumping, but you still feel quite nervous. What now? "Focus on your five senses, so you’re grounded in that moment and not focused on all the 'What if' questions running through your head," says Heidi McBain, a marriage and family therapist. Consider practicing some time-tested mindfulness techniques, like the "5, 4, 3, 2, 1" grounding technique or going for a short walk.