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What's the best way to not get anxious when meeting new people?

23 Answers
Last Updated: 12/06/2021 at 8:56pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
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Top Rated Answers
littlebambi
April 8th, 2015 9:13am
Imagine how that person's feeling. They might be just as anxious or even more anxious as you. It makes things a little less scary!
HopieRemi
July 5th, 2016 7:46am
Getting nervous when you meet new people is perfectly normal. But a way to try to settle the nerves would be to remind yourself that they're just people and taking a deep breath. I would also advise doing some meditation or using the mindfulness exercises to get your mind at peace.
PurpleLycheeTheListener
May 3rd, 2015 5:40am
I think a good way is to reassure yourself that you are a great person (even if you sometimes has difficulty believing it, it is true). Also, don't be afraid to be yourself - I love if when you can tell that a person is being unapologetically themselves. Make sure you keep breathing, try and remain calm, and listen to what they have to say. Listening to what others have to say is a great way of letting them know that you care. I hope this helps x
Anonymous
November 17th, 2015 5:03pm
You know how you want people to like you when you're first meeting them? They want you to like them just as much. Take comfort in this natural symmetry.
Niyati30
January 25th, 2016 9:20pm
Try the conversation practice with your own mirror. Try talking on basic generalised topics and nothing person.
Anonymous
December 29th, 2015 2:30am
Just be confident and positive. Positive mind leads to a positive life, so talk to them and you don't know how this is going to increase your confidence especially if you are a shy person
Here4Love
February 9th, 2015 7:00pm
Never hinder yourself with rules and expectations for yourself! Usually when we are introduced to new people we feel pressured to adjust ourselves based on the other person's character. This can be very stressful and awkward for most. My advice? Be honest! Speak from the heart! There's nothing more inspiring, fun, and relatable than someone with their own distinct personality. It puts others at ease when they meet someone who is cool with being themselves :)
Anonymous
July 25th, 2016 3:43pm
The best way is to approach them knowing they're human just like you, take some complete deep breaths.
delicateHeart3871
December 6th, 2021 8:56pm
When meeting new people, I try to be warm and non-judgmental. I find that this helps ease any preconceived notions that the interaction might be stressful or uncomfortable. I ask a lot of open-ended questions to promote them talking which gives me a chance to listen and get comfortable. Sometimes making eye-contact, and reminding myself of how valuable and important I am, helps me to overcome anxiety. At one point, I struggled a great deal with anxiety and turned to therapy and group therapy to learn to deal with social anxiety. When I joined a group therapy, I found myself saying, "I am anxious." I got a lot of warm support for being open about anxiety with others. I found that a lot of people struggle with anxiety and talking about it gave it less power.
Chattytalker1
November 16th, 2021 10:25pm
When I'm meeting new people I always have something I can fidget with in my hand or in my pocket. I also use humor in my conversation(s). You need to see what works best for you. I know sometimes I have to concentrate on my breathing or heartbeat to help relax me. If there's a conversation happening I find listening instead of just jumping in helps. Try different techniques that work for you. I also do a lot of self reflecting on what it is that could be causing the anxiety. Is it meeting people? Is it the crowd? I've got to narrow it down and try to find what helps to keep me calm. I hope some of these suggestions that work for me can help you as well.
caringdreamer94
June 5th, 2018 3:31am
The best way is to manage the feelings of anxiety. By focusing on your breathing, you'll be able to stay calm. It also enables you to take your attention away from the overwhelming feelings and physical experience of anxiety, long enough to focus on the new people and establish a conversation.
arctictrinity822
June 4th, 2018 4:22pm
Making sure you know how you are going to act, respond, or look when you are in situations where you might meet new people can really help you to not stress over making new acquaintances.
Anonymous
May 22nd, 2018 12:58pm
Take a deep breath and try to look at the situation in a positive light. Maybe these people will be really nice and you might make some new friends.
Anonymous
April 9th, 2018 3:42am
The best way to not get anxious when meeting new people by taking deep breathes, understanding you're trying something new that you never did, that others will be willing to open up and is happy to meet you for the very first time.
rebecca947
January 16th, 2018 6:59am
The quote I usually go with for public situations is "Those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." Be yourself, and if the people don't like you for who you are at the time, then rest assured you've waded out the people not right for you at this moment in time. Meeting new people can be scary, but what do you have to lose? They have no preconceptions of you, they don't know who you are, and what your personality is like. Go out there and enjoy the moment as best you can! You've got this!
puppylover420
November 20th, 2017 4:39pm
I get very anxious when meeting new people. I normally find that developing a routine or a tradition helps combat the new people feeling. I personally like to take deep breaths, make a fist and press my fingers really hard. Sometimes I also play with the helm of t shirts. I just like to do small unnoticeable actions that help me out. Maybe try one of these and tell me if they work out?? I hope I helped
StrongerThanEver10
February 6th, 2017 5:02pm
Be yourself. That is the best you can be. People should accept you for who you are. It can be scary meeting new people however those new people could becomes very significant figures in your life. Keep an open mind,always!
Anonymous
August 15th, 2016 9:22pm
imagine something that is not as intimidating such as meeting animals or if you dont like animals think of something that makes you happy drawimg, singing, sports, daqncing, games,etc.
SiegfriedX
January 12th, 2016 4:48am
I've found curiosity to be a wonderful remedy for any anxiety when meeting someone new. I want to know what this new person is like - how they think, what they feel, why they are the way they are. For me, this replaces anxiety with a kind of excitement, and makes the whole thing an exciting experience. As a bonus, people generally love when others are interested in them, and it can lead to further relationships with them!
Anonymous
December 29th, 2015 6:55pm
It's sometimes very hard not to feel anxious when meeting new people . Although it may not be possible to totally eradicate this anxiety , it's definitely possible to control and cope with it . Some good ideas may be firstly just remember to keep breathing and trying to stay as relaxed and positive as possible . Another good idea is to try not to over think any negative situations that could arise when you meet people . Instead , trying to stay positive and reasure yourself about the situation will be more helpful . Even thinking or saying to yourself things like " I can do this " or " I know this will go well " repeating them over and over till you start to believe in them can help . Also , another technique if you're very anxious may be trying to imagine the very worst case scenario possible , often this will turn out less serious than you think . If you do make any little mistakes or if it gets awkward at any point , don't beat yourself up about it , just try to stay as relaxed and calm as possible and carry on .
Anonymous
June 5th, 2015 3:31pm
Honestly this is tricky cause most people are anxious meeting new people and the reason why we are is cause we don't know how exactly they will react. So our anxiety kicks in cause we fear that we will not be perfect or what the new person will think about us. You probably have too talk your self about how too not be scared meeting new people or even concouling.
Scarandlett
June 3rd, 2015 4:31pm
The best way to not get anxious when metting new people is accepting that feeling. It is very hard to stop feeling something, but you always can try to understand those feelings/emotions and maybe why are you experiencing them. It becomes easier to control something you accept/understand than something you reject.
Nezushion
May 20th, 2015 8:31pm
The best way is trying to be honest and hope they like you, if they dont then they are missing that amaizing person you are.