Dating with Social Anxiety: How to Keep Those Nerves Hidden

Are you someone who feels uncomfortable being the centre of attention? If so, the thought of dating may sound like a nightmare. After all, all eyes are going to be on you. It is just about you and the other person, and that can make your stomach flip for all of the wrong reasons. However, you can overcome this feeling and give off those confident and sexy vibes. With that in mind, read on to discover some useful tips for dating success when you have social anxiety.

Dress confidently but make sure you are comfortable –

What you wear will make a massive difference to how you feel. This is why it is vital to strike the balance between confidence and being comfortable. After all, if you cannot walk in high heels and you force yourself into a pair of six-inch heels, you are going to look and feel uncomfortable throughout the entire date. Wear something you feel comfortable in and you will feel much more at ease throughout your date.

Practice makes perfect –

A little bit of practice never hurt anyone. There are a number of ways you can do this, from enlisting the help of your friends to using chatlines. This will help you to practice your dating skills on someone that you are not bothered about pursuing things with. Don’t worry if you make a mistake or do something embarrassing; now is your time to do it rather than on the real date. This will also help you to deal with any awkward silences by figuring out what sort of questions to ask.

Distract yourself beforehand –

Distraction is of paramount importance before your date. A lot of people build themselves up into a nervous frenzy because they spend time worrying about everything that could go wrong. Instead, you need to take your mind off your date altogether. Whether you play a game on your phone or you play a mental game, such as ‘how many boys names can I think of with the letter M,’ distracting yourself will ensure you do not have the chance to get more nervous.

Be honest –

Last but not least, there is nothing wrong with saying you are nervous or that you get anxious about dating. There is no shame in feeling this way! This is especially important if the person suggests a venue that you are not comfortable with. Instead, suggest something else that you would rather do. You do not need to go into much detail; you can simply say that you are not comfortable going to a fancy restaurant on a first date or that you would prefer to do something different to bowling.  

Hopefully, you now feel less anxious about going on a date. Believe it or not, but most people feel nervous about going on dates – you are not alone. However, if you follow the advice that has been provided, you should be able to get through dating, and more importantly; you will enjoy it and feel confident within yourself.