What's the best way to not get anxious when meeting new people?
23 Answers
Moderated by Danielle Johnson, MSED, Community mental Health Counseling, LMHC
Updated: Apr 12, 2022
littlebambi
on
Apr 8, 2015
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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!
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Remina
on
Jul 5, 2016
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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
on
May 3, 2015
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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
Here4Love
on
Feb 9, 2015
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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
on
Nov 17, 2015
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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.
Anonymous
on
Dec 29, 2015
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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
Niyati30
on
Jan 25, 2016
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Try the conversation practice with your own mirror. Try talking on basic generalised topics and nothing person.
rebecca947
on
Jan 16, 2018
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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!
Anonymous
on
Jun 5, 2015
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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.
Anonymous
on
Dec 29, 2015
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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 .
SiegfriedX
on
Jan 12, 2016
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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
on
Aug 15, 2016
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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.
puppylover420
on
Nov 20, 2017
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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
Anonymous
on
Apr 9, 2018
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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.
Chattytalker1
on
Nov 16, 2021
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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.
delicateHeart3871
on
Dec 6, 2021
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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.
Nezushion
on
May 20, 2015
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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.
Scarandlett
on
Jun 3, 2015
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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.
Anonymous
on
Jul 25, 2016
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The best way is to approach them knowing they're human just like you, take some complete deep breaths.
StrongerThanEver10
on
Feb 6, 2017
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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!
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