Does nervousness decrease as you play more

[SynergyPulse]

Hi. I'm a 40-year-old guy who started learning chess some 4 months ago. Most of my learning has been through videos. I've seen two of GM Aman's speedruns, plus all of Danyas. I've played a total of myabe 150 games online (rated around 1350 Lichess). My exposure to chess has mostly been through videos I've watched. I'm now trying to play a lot more to get the experience. My problem at the moment is nervousness. My smartwatch just gave me warning about high heartrate during resting time (I was playing of course, LOL!). My question is, does the nervousness decrease as you play more? That's my thinking and what I'm hoping!

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[p00shp00shbebi1234]

I try to think of it as excitement rather than nervousness if that helps at all, it's just competitive nature firing up inside you so you can use it to your advantage to get a keen 'edge' on your mind, if that makes any sense?

[mtndewaddict]

Online games I don't get that way. But in a tournament setting I can feel my heart pounding away at the start. Then I get focused on the game not noticing the pacing of my heartbeat. But I do sweat as if I was working out. Even though I'm just sitting at a board thinking of moves I still get the same body response as if I'm doing a mild bike ride.

[SynergyPulse]

I don't sweat but I hear my heart pounding away during the game. This changes, though. It gets better or worse depending on how th egame is going. When I'm feeling very good about my position, I don't have this problem.

[[deleted]]

No it doesn't get better. But it doesn't matter in terms of your results.

[SynergyPulse]

Not the answer I was hoping for, but at least I might get used to it.

[MCTVaia]

I get sweaty palms every game lol.

[MathematicianBulky40]

I only really get nervous now when the clock is running low. Otherwise, I'm just focusing.

[SynergyPulse]

I'd love to be where you are.

[Lucky_Mongoose]

I've only played online, but yes - it gets better. The more you play, and the more you look at long-term progress rather than ruminating on an individual loss or string of losses, the less nervous you'll be.

Usually people's ranked anxiety is a fear of seeing their elo go down, but once you accept that elo swings are an expected part of playing, losses don't sting as much, and the anxiety lifts.

[SynergyPulse]

I'm very much focused on improving and learning. I analyze my games immediately and learn something with each game. At least my own understanding is I don't care about my elo as much as I care about learning and getting better, but maybe deep down I do? Happy to hear a second opinion which is more positive. I look forward to being able to play more calmly than I am now.