Nervous when playing

I joined chess.com a couple of weeks ago and have played 7 games. All were 10 minute games. I find that I'm super nervous when I play. I can feel my heart pounding away, especially early on in a game. I settle down somewhat as the game goes on but not to the point where I feel comfortable. I can't figure out why it happens because I know there's really not much at stake. I'm mediocre at best and being in my 60s, I'm not going to get much better.

Do others experience this nervousness? Does the nervousness go away over time as you play more games?

Try weed, try sex.. there are various options!

@TunjiGold1 - Thanks for your advice. I'm not a beginner to chess but it's been a very long time since I played against against a person, especially rated games. Last rated games were about 50 years ago when I was a teen. I guess I underestimated how tense I would get. I do let chess.com pick my opponent and so far they have matched me up to roughly equally rated players. I like that. 

your nervous because your a rookie

Actually, I recommend playing other players (not computers) and playing longer time control games (not many fast paced ones) because you need time to think and feel comfortable - not rushed. Feeling rushed will only add to feeling nervous. 

Even after a ton of online chess games: going to your first OTB (over the board) chess tournament is even worse for nervousness!

Luckily, it does get better with practice and time. Another trick is to literally "sit on your hands" sometimes. That forces you to think twice (even if just for a second) before actually moving. This will help you catch mistakes before they happen if you do a "blunder-check" and also will make you a little less nervous. Yeah, it goes away with more games (online or OTB). The more you play, then the less nervous you will get. 

Here are some quotations that are related to this subject:

"...A game of chess is not an examination of knowledge; it is a battle of nerves." - David Bronstein

"Chess is rarely a game of ideal moves. Almost always, a player faces a series of difficult consequences whichever move [they] make." - David Shenk

"Later, I began to succeed in decisive games. Perhaps because I realized a very simple truth: not only was I worried, but also my opponent." - Mikhail Tal

+1

For sure. But I have found it is more a function of novelty. As you keep playing and grow accustomed to it, I bet you will feel it less and less. Of course, everyone wants to win, but I have found that just focusing on playing the best move I can (rather than the whole game) each move helps. Good luck with your chess!

Thanks all for the comments and suggestions. 

Try 15+10 it's a lot less stressful because you have a lot more time to Think!

A bit of fear of loosing is always good because it help you to Think on Each move!

The huge stress for me is when i see that i have only 2 min to play and i need at least 5 or more..

And play only against peoples close to your strength that should help.

To help your level of confidence try a few puzzles before you start to play;5 to 10 is enough.

Play a dozen 3 minute games. Its too quick to get nervous and no time to worry about mistakes. Then switch back to 10 minute.

I didn’t realize it before, but I’m feeling nervous. I hope I get over it because my goal is to reach 1,300 Elo on Chess.com as soon as possible.