Getting over nerves when starting a chess game

I spend most of my chess in the 15min time range games, yet I'm struggling a lot with nerves and that affects my chess greatly, resulting in the most stupid blunders. What are some tips/mindsets that can help me calm myself better during a game?

Have you tried breathing exercises before playing? I like the 4-7-8 breath (I found it when Covid first started, and I needed a way to stay calm). Two minutes of this exercise is very effective. You can find more detailed instructions via the search bar in Google. It helps to have a digital kitchen timer to set to two minutes.

Just play rated chess a lot, and the stress will decrease. I had this issue, but playing a lot of rated games made is way less stressful. 

Somtimes my chess nerves cause unexpected bowl movments, then i burn time on the clock with the bathroom gambit lol. I still get nerves too, ill play on another site for warm up games it seems to help.

If possible, play over the board official rated games.

I've been practicing with bots so much that I get anxiety when playing with an actual human person. Trying to get over it slowly.

It's not a great idea to mainly practice with bots, since they play very differently the humans, so if the humans give you anxiety, only play humans for a while and the anxiety will decrease.

oh yeah?

Try dragging the time out double and sitting down across from a kid 20 years younger, hold your hand out to shake and wish good luck, watch them stick their tongue out at you instead before a 45 move loss.

Nerves? You ain't seen nerves, yet

Remember that next time you feel nervous

I found that recording the game moves helped slow me down and calm my nerves

dang

Yes, next time you're feeling nervous, recount a story in which literally all the the things you're nervous about actually happened. That'll help.

The point is that things can always be worse. I have a joke about that, but it's probably not appropriate here.

I don't think using an OTB game of chess to highlight to a nervous player how much worse things can be is the reassurance you think it is. 

I don't think it's reassurance, I think it's a reality check.

Do you really need reassurance to play a game?

Are you suggesting a hug and hand holding?

Some old Bruce Lee scene in a movie... he says something like "everyone wants to learn the way to win, but you need to learn how to accept losing."

When you can accept that you lose, GMs lose, all humans lose, you wont be afraid of losing, and you can just enjoy playing... the nice thing is that when you relax and enjoy playing you play better too.

During a global pandemic? Of course not....

     Try longer time controls so you aren't under as much pressure to find the best move RIGHT NOW!!! Play regularly but not obsessively for a long time and a chess game will become just a normal regular occurrance for you. And play because you enjoy the challenge and stimulation rather than seeing chess as a measure of your status or self-worth.

Whiskey helps 

   I was going to suggest a pleasant meal with a glass or two of good wine an hour or so before the game but thought the OP was probably a kid. Or they might be a Muslim or a Mormon and take offence.

get gud jk, just be calm when starting the game