Finally, its the big day you’ve been looking forward to! You have a date with that special someone you’ve had your eye on. You’re full of excitement and optimism for the possibilities this new connection holds.
But you’re also feeling a bit nervous. You feel the pressure to present your best self, almost like a performance. You may also have some negative thoughts. What if I do something silly? Or what if she doesn’t like me? Perhaps, you’re afraid that he won’t show up.
A date is a social situation where you’re opening yourself up to scrutiny and judgment by another person. So, a mild case of the “butterflies” is entirely reasonable. A slight awkwardness might even add a bit of charm and humor to a first date.
However, for some people, it’s a lot more than a simple case of the nerves. They might experience severe anxiety or even panic attacks due to dating-related social anxiety. The fear of humiliation and embarrassment is so intense, they often withdraw themselves from social situations like dating.
If you’re someone that experiences severe stress on dates, keep on reading. We’ll discuss what causes this type of anxiety. We’ll also list 3 DIY cures for social anxiety to help you get out there and live life to the fullest.
We should note that when we say DIY cures, we are not talking about medical remedies for anxiety. Instead, dietary and lifestyle choices to better equip you to combat social anxiety. If you suffer from anxiety, we strongly recommend you consult with a clinical psychiatrist for a treatment plan.
What causes dating anxiety?
People experience dating anxiety due to a wide array of causes. Both environmental and physiological factors can play a role. Those who suffer from social anxiety disorder (SAD) are typically more prone to feeling anxious before and during a date.
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Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is one of the most common anxiety disorders in the United States. People with SAD suffer from a fear of rejection & humiliation in specific social situations, like dating, for example [1]. They are often aware that their fear of social situations is irrational or exaggerated, but they still experience the symptoms.
So, when looking for ways to fight social anxiety, you should consider diet and lifestyle choices that promote calmness, relaxation, and ones that support brain health. If your brain is functioning optimally, you’re more likely to succeed at being calm and confident during a date.
Let’s take a look at the 3 DIY cures for dating anxiety that you can implement right away.
3 DIY cures for dating anxiety
1. GABA for dating anxiety
GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) is a brain chemical thats primary function is to reduce activity levels of neurons in the brain. Boosting GABA levels can have a calming effect on the brain, which would benefit you in stressful social situations [2]. On the other hand, if your GABA levels are out of balance, you might be more susceptible to social anxiety symptoms.
Although the research on GABA’s effectiveness in a supplement form is limited, there are several promising studies.
One study found that participants who took a GABA supplement had an increase in alpha brain wave activity, which is linked with a state of calm, wakeful, alertness. Another study found that after taking GABA, participants were able to remain calm during a stressful task, like crossing a suspended bridge [3].
uVitals recommends NOW Supplements GABA supplement which contains 500mg of GABA per serving, has some great reviews & is very well priced from a trusted brand. Available on Amazon, with next day prime delivery if you need it for a social event coming soon.
2. L-Theanine to reduce dating anxiety
L-theanine is an amino acid that promotes calmness and relaxation. Regular consumption may support you in your fight against social anxiety [4].
L-theanine can cross the blood-brain barrier, which is crucial for supplements to be effective. It also boosts GABA levels, which could provide additional support for your brain [5]. Not only does L-theanine increase relaxation, but it also reduces levels of brain chemicals that contribute to stress and anxiety [6].
If you think that L-theanine sounds pretty awesome, Taylor Swift agrees with you. In an interview with Elle Magazine, she revealed that L-theanine is one of the supplements she regularly takes to combat stage fright and anxiety [7] (yes, even Taylor Swift is not immune to social anxiety).
You can include L-theanine in your diet by drinking green, black, or oolong tea. We have a great article on why Tea is good for anxiety which includes several excellent recommendations for tea brands of different types (matcha green tea, oolong tea, black tea, etc) that you can check out. However, taking a supplement is most likely the best way to ensure that you consistently get an adequate amount to combat social anxiety. Our recommendation for L-theanine supplements is Sports Research L-Theanine which contains 200mg of Suntheanine® per serving (Suntheanine is a highly-regarded, patented, pure form of L-theanine) and this product is highly rated by over 3000 customers on Amazon!
3. CBD for quick stress relief
By now, you’ve most likely heard about CBD (or its full name Cannabidiol). It is a non-psychoactive extract of the hemp plant that has been gaining prominence. There are countless stories from all around the country about people experiencing various positive effects of CBD.
One of the reasons why people take CBD is because of its mood-enhancing potential. People often report feeling more calm and confident after CBD. Of course, this could be significantly beneficial for helping with dating anxiety and reducing social anxiety symptoms [8][9].
CBD can work relatively quickly. With GABA or L-theanine, you would most likely have to take them consistently for some length of time, for them to be as effective as CBD for dating anxiety. With CBD, people typically experience benefits within a matter of hours. Of course, results may vary for each individual.
You can consume CBD in edible form like gummies, or as CBD oil. Look for brands that get their CBD from USDA certified organic hemp plants grown in the USA. Also, make sure they provide third-party lab tests to support claims of purity and CBD potency.
For CBD gummies that are good for helping with dating anxiety, we recommend Green Roads CBD Gummies. They are a highly-regarded brand and these particular gummies come with added Omega 3, 6 and 9 vitamins, contain no THC traces, are tested by an independent third party verifying they contain no CO2 or other impurities, are manufactured 100% in the United States and even have a 100% money back guarantee; meaning you can essentially try them risk free!
If you’re considering trying CBD oil, we recommend Green Roads Full Spectrum CBD Oil from GreenRoads.com to help with dating anxiety symptoms. The reviews are excellent, GreenRoads is a respected brand and their hemp oil is:
- Made in the USA using a GMO-free growing process
- Tested to ensure it contains 0% THC
- Organically grown
- Third party tested to support claims of purity
Closing thoughts on DIY cures for dating anxiety
Social anxiety is one of the most common anxiety disorders in the United States. It can affect various parts of your life, including dating and relationships.
The good news is that you can take steps to overcome social anxiety. The first step is to consult with a clinical psychiatrist so they can recommend a treatment plan.
In addition to your treatment for anxiety, you can take some of the dietary supplements we recommended above. You can take L-theanine and GABA supplements for long term brain health benefits. If you need a quick solution, you can consider a CBD supplement from a reputed brand.
Along with supplements, we recommend you also incorporate some regular exercise in your routine. Both yoga and cardiovascular exercises can help improve anxiety symptoms [10].
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Products mentioned in this article
- NOW GABA 500 mg,200 Veg Capsules
- Sports Research Double Strength L-Theanine Supplement - Suntheanine Softgels for Focus, Relaxation & Alertness - Non-Drowsy Support Made with Coconut Oil, Non-GMO & Gluten Free - 200mg, 60 Count
- Green Roads Full Spectrum CBD Oil – 750mg
- Green Roads CBD Relax Bears – 50mg
Reference List:
- ^ https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/mind-guest-blog/5-ways-to-overcome-dating-anxiety/
- ^ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sleep-newzzz/201901/3-amazing-benefits-gaba
- ^ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16971751
- ^ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/integrative-mental-health-care/201703/l-theanine-reduces-symptoms-anxiety
- ^ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sleep-newzzz/201708/what-you-need-know-about-l-theanine
- ^ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16930802
- ^ https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a26628467/taylor-swift-30th-birthday-lessons/
- ^ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/
- ^ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/
- ^ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5843960/
