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20 Best Tips For Enjoying a Concert If You Have Anxiety

tips for enjoying a concert if you have anxiety
Image by cfernandophotography on Unsplash.

Concerts are an exciting experience, whether you’re seeing Niall Horan or rocking out to Imagine Dragons. Unfortunately, it’s easy for anxiety to get in the way of your time and turn a fun evening into a nightmare.

If you’re nervous about your upcoming musical adventure, there’s no need to worry. Sit down and relax as we dive into 20 tips for enjoying a concert if you have anxiety.

1. Bring Headphones

Vibes ear plugs are one size fits all and great for men and women
Vibes High Fidelity Earplugs

First on our list of tips for enjoying a concert if you have anxiety is to wear earplugs. If noise overwhelms you, high fidelity earplugs can help lower the sound around you, which in hand, will lower the level of stress your body and mind might be experiencing.

Related: 9 Best Earplugs for Concerts

2. Talk To Your Loved Ones Ahead of Time

Image of 3 ladies talking on a bench.
Image by Ben White on Unsplash.

If you’re going to the concert with friends or family, talk to them about your worries. Communicate a plan of action or things you need them to do if you get overwhelmed to establish a safety net before the artists get onstage.

3. Focus On Deep Breaths

breathe in pink letters against a green background
Image by Fabian Moller on Unsplash

If you want to make the most of your Harry Styles concert, it’s a good idea to master some deep breathing exercises before attending.

If you get overwhelmed, try breathing techniques to recenter yourself, helping to navigate out of an anxious moment.

4. Pick Your Seats Carefully

yellow seats in an auditorium
Image by Nacho Capelo on Unsplash.

If you’re easily overwhelmed, pick your seats with care. Try something close to an exit or high above the excited crowds to enjoy your concert, with room to head out if something goes wrong during the experience.

5. Keep Mints With You

white mints in a metal tin
Image by James Coleman on Unsplash.

Something like mint or gum will provide a release and something else to focus on if you feel anxious during an event. If you feel overwhelmed, pop a mint or piece of gum in your mouth to transfer your train of thought. 

6. Take A Fidget Device

a person holding a fidget spinner
Image by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash.

Fidget devices are another excellent way to shift your brain from one thing to another. Bring a small stone or a bracelet to mess with if you start feeling anxious during your concert. You can even theme your fidget device, such as wearing a “13” bracelet to a Taylor Swift event.

7. Go Early

a pocket watch in a hand with a time depicted
Image by Pierre Bamin on Unsplash

One of the best things you can do to help with anxiety is to go to the venue early rather than push in when there is a large crowd. Find your seats, grab a snack, and sit down to center yourself before everything begins.

8. Get A Drink

three cocktails next to each other
Image by Kobby Mendez on Unsplash.

Another of our tips for enjoying a concert if you have anxiety is to grab a drink if you are over the age of 21. It will help you feel in the moment while relaxing your nerves at the same time, allowing for better overall enjoyment of the artist.

9. Do Self-Care Before and After

a board over a tub with self car stuff on it
Image by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash.

A self-care routine before and after the concert will make a big difference in how you feel during the event. Try a nice bath beforehand and rinse everything off afterward, adding other items as needed to comfort yourself. 

10. Take Any Prescribed Medications

a medication organizer with pills
Image by Layrynas Mereckas on Unsplash

If you have any prescribed medications for your anxiety, ensure you don’t forget them before the experience. Forgetting them could make your experience much more overwhelming than it has to be.

11. Get Sleep the Night Before 

a woman waking up and stretching
Image by Bruce Mars on Unsplash

Never underestimate a full night of sleep, especially before a loud concert like the Foo Fighters. Try to aim for 7-8 hours of sleep the evening before you head to the event to ensure your brain is operating at its full capacity.

12. See The Venue Beforehand

red rock ampitheater in colorado
Red Rocks Park at Sunrise, near Denver Colorado. Image from Shutterstock.

Another thing you can do is travel to the venue beforehand to see how everything is laid out. The more you know about where you are going, the more confident you will feel before you travel there with your ticket on the big day.

Related: The 15 Best Music Venues in the World to See Before You Die

13. Know the Songs

a phone with a sopitfy page on playing music
Image by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash.

Next up on our tips for enjoying a concert if you have anxiety is to know the songs sung. Try to listen to the songs beforehand so you know all the words – singing along will make you feel much more at ease once the big day comes.

14. Communicate With Staff

a man wearing a red shirt with staff across the back
Image by Duinguyen Rlak on Unsplash.

Many times, you can communicate with the staff to see if they have any options for people with anxiety. They might have an escape route for your headphones or general advice to make you feel more secure during the experience. 

15. Plan Escape Ahead of Time

hollywood bowl
Los Angeles, Aug 29 2014 – John Williams shows at the Hollywood bowl amphitheater. Image from Shutterstock.

If you think there’s a chance your anxiety will require you to leave early, plan an escape route before you get there. Look at a map online or check out the place in-person to scope out the best path to the parking lot if you run into an issue.

16. Don’t Go To Tiny/Enclosed Venues

The Caverns an underground concert venue
The Caverns. Image from Shutterstock.

If you have anxiety, stay away from tiny venues, no matter what artist is playing. Smaller locations are packed with people and will likely increase your anxiety while providing minimal room to escape from the location. 

17. Consider Going Solo

a dark haired girl in a blue flower dress
Image by Jernej Graj on Unsplash

Sometimes, friends don’t make everything better. If the company makes you anxious, go to the concert by yourself so you can leave at any moment without worrying about the other individual.

Or if going alone makes you anxious, find a friend to go with you!

18. Work Out Before 

a girl working out on a mat by a large window
Image by Jonathon Borba on Unsplash

Do a workout before you go to the concert to increase the general happiness in your body. You will be full of adrenaline and ready to take on the world if you get in a good half hour of working out before the adventure.

19. Don’t Press Against The Rail

a woman at a concert head banging against the rail
Image by Colin Lloyd on Unsplash.

There is always a rail at the front of a concert venue. Avoid leaning up against it to prevent being pressed against the bar and feeling trapped. This is especially important as experiencing a panic attack at the front of the venue will make it more difficult to get help when you need it. 

20. Dress Comfortably 

a girl wearing a gray tshirt and red beenie against a green background
Image by Designecologist on Unsplash.

Last up on our tips for enjoying a concert if you have anxiety is to dress comfortably. It might be tempting to wear an outfit that matches the artist, but you should wear what will make you feel the most confident and safe, this will help control any symptoms of anxiety you might be experiencing. 

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Written by Hope Davis

Long-time music lover Hope became a full-time writer in 2020 after being laid off from her regular job due to COVID-19. She now spends her time traveling the world to see her favorite bands while writing about them!

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