7 Things The Savviest Women Do Before A First Date (To Make An Incredible First Impression)

Congratulations! The upbeat, All-American-esque cutie you met last week has asked you out on a date. You're pretty darn happy for yourself, but let's face it, you're also slightly nervous because first dates are, well, nerve-wracking.

Never fear — luck is on your side, as are we. Follow these seven tips for first-date preparation and tell us how your night turned out.

Here are 7 things the savviest women do before a first date to make an incredible first impression:

1. Hydrate

Unless you're meeting in the Arctic, chances are you'll sweat a little bit on your date. It helps to stay hydrated, and did you know drinking water staves off bad breath?

2. Eat

Having a meal before dinner, lunch, coffee, or whatever it is you are doing might seem counterintuitive, but we recommend a healthy snack before a date. There's nothing like low blood sugar or a grumbling stomach to distract you from a conversation. Munch on an apple or a few walnuts before you go.

3. Create a pump-me-up playlist

Distract yourself from pre-date nerves by listening to music while you get ready. A mix of upbeat, dance tunes should get you in the mood for having a good time. Cascada, anyone?

4. Shower

This one seems like a no-brainer, but not only will a hot shower get you clean, it will relax you. Use a shower gel and lotion that smells good and makes you feel pretty.

5. Break in your shoes

Who wants to hobble around on a date? If you're even thinking about wearing a precarious pair of stilettos for the night, walk around in them for at least an hour to see how well they hold up. Remember to thank us after he takes you to a pier, the beach, or a part of town with cobblestone streets.

6. Google him

We hope we're not opening a can of worms here, but you might want to do a quick background check just in case. On the one hand, you might stumble upon a public Facebook profile revealing that he's in a relationship — or that he's a fan of the Star Wars prequels (we're not sure which would be worse). Chances are you won't find any skeletons in his closet, but you will at least have a preview of some of his interests, which could be your lifeline in case the conversation starts to dwindle.

7. Ditch your bad dating attitude

Unless you've been blessed with having only spectacular dates and stellar boyfriends, chances are you have a few hang-ups and insecurities. Instead of stewing over how that last guy stood you up or how last month's date spent the entire night reminiscing about his ex-girlfriend, give this new guy the benefit of the doubt. You'd want him to treat you the same way, right?