Ironically, the very energy that all-too-frequently leaves you tongue-tied or frozen with nerves, could prove your salvation if properly channeled.

The following suggestions are designed to help you allow nervous energy to flow through and connect you with the relaxed and relatable you. Getting comfortable with yourself takes time and practice, so be easy on yourself.

1. Give up your need to make a life-changing impression. Just let your hair down and relax. People aren’t interested in perfection as much as connection.

2. Breathe deep. It is very soothing. Breathe through your nose, filling your lungs with air and exhale deeply. Repeat.

3. Shake it out. That’s right. Shake you body all over, and regularly even when you are not feeling nervous. You store nervous energy in the weirdest places. Some people prefer to learn how to dance free style.

4. Before getting out of the house or going to meet members of the opposite sex avoid drinking liquids that are too hot or too cold, especially caffeinated ones (for obvious reasons)..

6. Teach yourself to be perceptive by increasing your awareness level. When you choose to be perceptive, you show you care. To increase awareness, first clear your plate of unnecessary preoccupation and pressure.

6. Listen and choose not to respond. Allow yourself to connect with a man/woman without reiterating your laundry list of requests.

7. Take the time to smell the flowers. Teach yourself to see things for the first time again. Be pleasantly surprised by the color of your date’s tie or the smell of her perfume.

Relaxed readiness opens you up to new possibilities. This state gives nervous energy room to flow and work to your advantage. Rather than trying to throttle the energy down see what happens when you let it fly.