Mariam Youssef 
Whether you’re going out with your best friend on a date for the first time or you’ve been set up with someone by a member of your family, first dates always tend to make us nervous. Because you’re expected to be on your best behavior, it is difficult to be yourself around the other person. First of all, you don’t have to be your best self; you only need to be you! Showing the best behavior and manners in front of someone you may or may not get married to isn’t at all necessary. However, we will show you 7 tips to relieve some of that tension and shake off nerves before your first date, so keep reading.
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Choose a Familiar Spot
One of the best ways to help you control being nervous is to plan out your date or at least the location. Going somewhere that feels comfortable to you, like your favorite restaurant or coffee shop, will help set a calming foundation for your whole date. When you have no idea what to expect or where you’re heading, your anxiety will be provoked, which will make you less comfortable and more nervous.
Take a Buffer Before the Date
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when going on a first date is to go to the date venue right after you finish work. When you do that, there is a huge chance that your work persona is still in control so you might actually sound bossy and turn your date into an interview. Try to go for a calming walk or head to a coffee shop and have some green tea beforehand if going home isn’t an option.
Don’t Overthink
Overthinking can make you more nervous than you could be. “How will the date go?” “Do I be myself or should I be on my best behavior?” These questions and more like them can cross your mind before your date. Don’t allow yourself to think of them because this can make you nervous and uncomfortable. The best thing to do is to distract yourself before the date by taking some time to choose your outfit or inviting your best friend over to relieve the tension and boost your self-confidence.
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Image credit: @karenwazen
Do Some Pre-Date Workout
Experts say that the endorphins of a good workout can replace the tension that often happens before the first date. Moreover, working out before your first date will wash away the fears and boost your confidence. It is best to do it early in the morning to give yourself time to shower, get ready, and relax.
Play Hype Music
Open any music app on your phone and type hype music or pop music. Enjoy your time while listening to some of your favorite songs with a good beat that will help take all the tension away. You might as well dance a little and shake off nerves before your date.
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Think of Him As a New Friend
If you keep thinking about your date as a person you may or may not like, you’re likely to be more nervous. Think of this date as a new friend you’re meeting up with (in case he’s not already one). Half of your anxiety is self-induced tension and the other half is the fear of rejection. But when you think that you’re spending time with a friend, none of these feelings will cross your mind.
Remember! He’s Nervous Too
He is a human being too and he’s probably nervous as well as you are for the same reasons. If you think about it, both of you are somehow interviewing each other, so it’s normal for the two of you to become nervous. Take it easy and remember that it’s a two-way street; both of you will have to make an effort to make your first date succeed. The effort you’re expected to make is simply having a nice conversation, exchanging points of view, and enjoying your time together. No pressure!
Finally, you should know that you’re not the only one responsible for making this date work. It takes two people to build a successful relationship. If one of them is absent or unwilling to cooperate, it will hardly work. Furthermore, you don’t have to convince yourself that you should like him or pressure this to work out. If it’s meant to be, it will happen. Period.
Main image credit: @isabelandbartosz
