Dating-Advice: Getting in the Mood

When you're getting ready for a date, it's very important to get into the mood before hand. Now this is most important for first dates, because you always want to put forth your best during the date.

When I say "getting in the mood" though, I'm not talking about what you might think. Instead I'm referring to creating a positive, upbeat mood that can help you enjoy yourself more and possibly help your date enjoy themselves more too.

Now there are a lot of ways to get yourself into a great mood. Everyone is different though, so some of these might work for you while others don't, but generally, these tips almost always help…

1. Give yourself enough time to get ready. Rushing around at the last minute is almost guaranteed to put you in a foul, frustrated, hectic frame of mind and that is definitely not the best way to leave for your date.

By giving yourself time though, you feel much more relaxed, in charge and confident. Ladies, this means making sure you have enough time to do your hair and makeup just right. You might even want to take a relaxing bubble bath first, then take your time to do your hair and make up well.

2. Put on some music that you love. Almost everyone's spirits are lifted when listening to their favorite music, and the louder it is, the more happy you tend to get. So crank up the stereo before you do anything else, then sing along with the music while getting ready for your date.

3. Choose and prepare your clothing ahead of time. Trying to decide what you'll wear on your date at the last minute can be agonizing, and that creates massive amounts of stress. No one can be relaxed and in a great mood if they're stressed out, so take care of the clothing issue a day or two before your date.

In addition to picking out what you'll wear, be sure you've prepared those clothes too. If the outfit you want to wear on your date needs to go to the cleaners, make sure it does so. If it needs to be washed or ironed, do these tasks a day or two before. This way you'll be able to pamper yourself when getting ready for the date, instead of taking care of mudane chores that might put you in a foul mood.

4. Don't forget the accessories. Even the best outfits need accessories, and this applies for both men and women. Ladies: Choose your jewelry, hose and heels on the same day you choose your outfit. Not the night of your date. And don't waffle or change your mind constantly. Decide on the outfit and the accessories, then stick to that decision.

Guys: These might not seem important to you but they make a big impression on the ladies. Don't forget accessories such as a nice watch, cufflinks and belt. If it's needed, shine up your shoes and belt buckle a bit too - on the day you prepare your clothes, not the day of your date.

5. Colognes and Perfumes. Don't go overboard with these. Some people are very scent sensitive, so putting on too much can ruin the night for your date. Likewise there are some scents people are attracted to which others find repulsive. Guys: Just because you love the heavy musky scent of your cologne doesn't mean your date will, and Ladies: You might think your perfume smells like flower fields in springtime, but your date could feel it seems more like skunk to him.

So err on the side of caution with perfumes and colognes, and put it on much lighter than you normally would.