What drink calms nerves before interview?

Asked by: Prof. Eveline Oberbrunner  |  Last update: May 27, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (57 votes)

To calm interview nerves, drink water for hydration and consider herbal teas like chamomile, peppermint, or green tea (for its L-theanine) while avoiding excess caffeine and sugar, which increase jitters, and skip alcohol entirely. Staying hydrated and choosing calming drinks helps manage anxiety and maintain focus for your interview.

What is the best thing to drink before an interview?

Dehydration may actually make your anxiety worse, so it's a good reason to take a bottle of water with you into that interview. You may also find certain beverages helpful with your pre-interview nerves, such as camomile tea, for example, which has been found to help with anxiety.

How to calm your nerves before an interview?

  1. Bring a notebook with you and write down the questions you want to ask the employer. This may help you if you get nervous and forget the important questions you want to communicate. ...
  2. Repeat the question that is asked to you. ...
  3. Breathe. ...
  4. Laugh. ...
  5. Consider that you too are trying to evaluate if the job is a good fit for you.

What can I drink to relax my nerves?

To calm your nerves, drink herbal teas like chamomile, lavender, or lemon balm, which contain soothing compounds; green tea for its relaxing amino acid L-theanine; or warm milk, which provides tryptophan and melatonin. Staying hydrated with water and drinking 100% fruit juice can also help, while avoiding high-sugar drinks that can worsen anxiety.
 

How to boost energy before an interview?

One hour before a job interview use a tightly focused routine that stabilizes nerves, sharpens recall, and ensures practical readiness. Hydrate and have a light snack (banana, nuts, yogurt) to avoid energy dips and jitters.

How To Overcome Severe Interview Anxiety - (Part 2) Tips To Help Deal With Nerves And Anxiety

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How to get rid of brain fog before an interview?

Here are four steps that will help you prepare for any interview question.

  1. Take inventory of your accomplishments.This requires more than a cursory mental note of the good stuff you've done in the past year. ...
  2. Study the job description. ...
  3. Create a list behavioral questions.

What calms nerves quickly?

But here are 9 calming techniques that do work – and they work quickly at that.

  • Just breathe. ...
  • Close your eyes and count to 10 slowly. ...
  • Chew a piece of gum. ...
  • Phone a friend – preferably a funny one. ...
  • Smell lavender. ...
  • Curl up with your cat or dog. ...
  • Listen to calming music. ...
  • Exercise your body.

What juice calms anxiety?

Green Juices: The Ultimate Mood Booster

  • Kale & Spinach – Rich in magnesium, which helps with relaxation and stress reduction.
  • Celery – Hydrating and packed with electrolytes to support nerve function and reduce anxiety.
  • Cucumber & Lemon – Helps detoxify the body, keeping you refreshed and energized.

What is the cheat pill for anxiety?

Influencers have described propranolol as a magic pill that eases nervous jitters in all kinds of settings. “It almost seems like a cheat code, if you will.” Prescriptions are on the rise, especially for young women.

What to do 5 minutes before an interview?

turn off your phone so you're not distracted. check your computer and internet connection is working if your interview is online. be ready to start the interview 5 to 10 minutes before. know how to contact the interviewer in case you're running late or having technical issues.

What is the 10 second rule in an interview?

The "10-second rule in an interview" refers to two main concepts: the first impression you make upon entering (appearance, greeting, confidence) and the time it takes for a recruiter to screen your resume (they often decide in under 10 seconds). It also applies to the silence during the interview, where interviewers should wait 10 seconds before rescuing a candidate who pauses, allowing them time to think, while candidates should aim to deliver clear, impactful information quickly. 

What are the 3 C's of interviewing?

The "3 C's of Interviewing" refer to different frameworks, but commonly point to Competence, Confidence, and Credibility/Character for candidates, or Clarity, Confidence, and Commitment/Chemistry for interviewers, focusing on skills, self-assurance, truthfulness, and cultural fit to ensure a successful hire. Understanding these C's helps both job seekers shine and employers find the right talent by assessing ability, trustworthiness, and fit within the team and company culture. 

What is the biggest red flag to hear when being interviewed?

The biggest red flags during an interview often involve negative talk about past colleagues, lack of transparency/vague answers, disorganization, aggressive pressure to accept immediately, and an unwillingness to admit mistakes, all signaling potential toxic environments, poor management, or an unstable role where the company prioritizes filling a seat over finding the right fit, according to Career Contessa and Toggl. 

What is the best brain food before an interview?

Instead, choose foods with whole grains—such as whole-grain toast, oatmeal, and brown rice—to get long-lasting energy. You'll become sharper thanks to Omega-3 fatty acids, which support the formation of new brain cells and help build brain cell membranes—crucial in high-pressure situations like interviews.

What are the three worst mistakes you could make in an interview?

Common job interview mistakes to avoid

Dressing inappropriately. Neglecting hygiene. Getting to the interview late. Arriving too early.

What is the most calming drink?

6 Best Calming Drinks to Relax and Restore Your Balance

  1. Lavender Lemonade. Lavender lemonade pairs the gentle calm of lavender with the revitalizing freshness of lemon. ...
  2. Chamomile Tea. Chamomile tea is one of the most popular calming drinks for evening relaxation. ...
  3. Green Tea. ...
  4. Peppermint Tea. ...
  5. Valerian Root Tea. ...
  6. Almond Milk.

What can calm anxiety fast?

To reduce anxiety immediately, use breathing techniques (like 4-7-8 breathing), grounding exercises (5-4-3-2-1 method), physical activity (quick walk, stretching), change your environment, or try mindfulness like focusing on a calming image or music to interrupt anxious thoughts and calm your nervous system.
 

What fruit lowers anxiety?

Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits are packed with vitamin C, which plays a vital role in reducing stress hormones like cortisol. By incorporating more citrus fruits into your diet, you can help maintain healthy cortisol levels, potentially lowering overall stress.

What is the 3 3 3 rule for calming?

The 3-3-3 rule is a grounding technique for anxiety: name 3 things you see, then identify 3 sounds you hear, and finally, move 3 parts of your body, helping to shift focus from anxious thoughts to the present moment by engaging your senses and redirecting your attention. It's a simple, accessible tool for regaining control during panic or overwhelm, interrupting spiraling thoughts by grounding you in your environment and body. 

What vitamins help with anxiety?

Key vitamins and minerals for anxiety include B vitamins (especially B6, B9, B12), Vitamin D, and Magnesium, which support neurotransmitter production (like GABA, serotonin) and nerve function, helping calm the nervous system. Other helpful supplements are Omega-3s, L-theanine, Ashwagandha, and herbs like Lemon Balm, but always consult a doctor before starting supplements due to potential interactions.
 

What is a natural nerve calmer?

To calm nerves naturally, use deep breathing (like 4-7-8 or box breathing), gentle movement (walking, yoga), grounding techniques (touching objects), meditation, aromatherapy, and calming music; also focus on nourishing foods, good sleep, and social connection to support your nervous system. 

What is the #1 worst habit for anxiety?

While there's no single "number one" worst habit, procrastination/avoidance and poor sleep/deprivation are consistently cited as extremely detrimental, often creating a vicious cycle where anxiety causes the habit, which then worsens the anxiety. Other major culprits include excessive caffeine, negative self-talk, unhealthy eating, clutter, and substance misuse, all of which disrupt mental and physical regulation, making anxiety symptoms stronger.
 

What is the strongest herb for anxiety?

There isn't one single "strongest" herb, but Ashwagandha, an adaptogen, is highly praised for chronic stress and anxiety by lowering cortisol, while Kava shows strong research for acute anxiety relief, and Passionflower helps with anxiety-induced insomnia by calming the nervous system. Other effective herbs include Lemon Balm for mood, Chamomile for mild cases, and Valerian Root for sleep-related anxiety. Always consult a doctor before starting new supplements due to potential interactions, especially if pregnant or on other medications.
 

What is the 5 anxiety trick?

5-4-3-2-1 exercise for anxiety FAQs

It involves identifying 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. By doing so, it helps shift your focus from anxiety-provoking thoughts to the present moment.