Confidence Check – How Can You Feel Better About Yourself

Confidence Check – How Can You Feel Better About Yourself

Self-confidence has been found to improve your ability to get a job, maintain relationships and be successful in school and the workplace. However, many people feel self-conscious and struggle with their confidence which can cause havoc with their mental health and well-being. As such, recognising how you feel about yourself, and taking relevant action, is important in improving your confidence and addressing the direct effects it can have on your wider life.

Below are a few tips and tricks for you to try to give your confidence a boost:

1. Say no to negative self-talk.

Mindfully recognising how you talk to yourself without judgement can be an empowering way to understand how you can self-sabotage your own well-being. Too often, we are harsher on ourselves than we ought to be, causing struggles with self-doubt and lower self-confidence. Try taking note of negative self-talk and reflect on how it makes you feel.

A good rule of thumb is that if you wouldn’t say it to somebody else, you shouldn’t say it to yourself. Practising positive self-talk and self-compassion instead can be instrumental in building your self-confidence and creating an overall healthier headspace.

2. Practice your posture.

The way you sit and stand can have real effects on the way you feel. Slumping can evoke negative emotions, whereas engaging in “power poses,” like sitting up straight and walking with your head held high, can make you feel more in control and powerful. By changing your body’s positioning, you can trick your mind into feeling the positive emotions you would associate with being in a more upright position. On top of this, correcting your posture can also improve the appearance of your body shape. Next time you struggle to feel confident, be mindful of your body and try correcting your position to see how this can help your confidence.   

3. Don’t compare yourself to others.

Although many people think of it as a cliche, it holds true that every person has different ideals when it comes to their appearance. As such, comparing yourself to others is fruitless, despite it being a natural thing for us to do. If you notice that you feel envious of others, start by reminding yourself that it’s not a useful standard to measure yourself by. Remind yourself of the compliments you have received and how these made you feel. You can also jot down times you feel good about yourself in a gratitude journal to really appreciate the successes you have made along the way.

4. Know what works for you.

Understanding what makes you feel comfortable and good about yourself can help to reinforce both positive self-talk and self-confidence. For example, wearing an outfit you know best flatters your body type can give you considerable boosts in confidence. In turn, this can help you feel ready to try new things outside of your usual comfort zone.

5. Challenge yourself.

Knowing and building on your strengths is a must. Although it may be tempting to stick to what you know, pushing your limits, and seeing the successes that come with this, are instrumental in building your self-confidence. For example, this may be trying a different coloured outfit, or wearing something more form-fitting.

6. Look after your body.

Keeping a healthy, balanced diet and engaging in regular exercise is instrumental in bringing about physical changes that can significantly boost your confidence. Studies have shown that consuming nutrient-rich foods and physical exercise can increase feelings of self-esteem and self-confidence. In addition, ensuring that you get enough sleep has been found to improve mood and outlook, further demonstrating the importance of healthy behaviour patterns.

7. Allow yourself to have bad days.

Everybody has times when they don’t feel confident in their body and punishing yourself for feeling that way only seeks to exacerbate negative emotions. Try not to be overly harsh on yourself and remember that confidence is a lifelong journey. You don’t need to fight with your thoughts to prove them to be wrong. Instead, be mindful of them and allow yourself to move on naturally as you gradually feel better.

8. Know your options and change what you can.

If you continue to struggle with your confidence despite trying self-help techniques, you can consider cosmetic surgery to address the particular concerns you may have. For example, many men feel self-conscious about their chest area and opt to undergo a gynecomastia surgery to reduce so-called “man boobs.” This can give men the boost in confidence they need to feel more comfortable in tighter clothing and while exercising.

Overall, exploring different tips and tricks to boost your confidence can make you feel happier and healthier. Try a few of those listed above to see how they can help you feel better in the skin you’re in.

Guest Article – About the Author: Jenn Walker is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beach-goer operating out of Southern New Jersey.