Feeling good about yourself is essential for your health and happiness. Here are five confidence-boosters you can do every day to lift your spirits, overcome your fears, and feel empowHERed to accomplish your goals.
1) Dress the part
Studies have shown that we embody the clothes that we wear along with their symbolic meanings — so dressing up can actually make us feel better about ourselves.
You don’t have to spend a fortune on new clothes. Simply wearing your favorite dress can have a positive impact on your mood and self-esteem, just like wearing business attire can make you feel more successful.
Spend a little time in the morning and pick an outfit that makes you feel the way you want to feel all day long. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, show up, and never give up!
2) Random acts of kindness
Doing good for others makes you feel good in return, and reinforcing the thought that you are good person is a strong confidence booster.
You don't have to do huge favors. Small but meaningful deeds such as writing a birthday card to a friend, bringing coffee to a colleague, or helping someone cross the street, can make you feel better and improve your confidence .
3) Surprise surprise — exercise
Regular exercise can do great things for your health, your mood, and even your self-confidence. It is important that you set small and realistic fitness goals for yourself. It is the achievement of these goals that keeps you motivated and more confident.
Exercising also improves your posture, making you stand taller and straighter, which also has a positive influence on your self-esteem. To read more on setting the right fitness goals for yourself, click here.
4) Make time for a coffee date
No matter how busy you are during the day, making time for a friend will not only help you manage your stress and but will also boost your self-esteem.
Research shows that receiving social support from an understanding and compassionate friend reassures us that we are worthy, loved, and cared for. This in return lifts our spirits and restores our self-confidence.
So call up a friend or meet them over a cup of coffee to get your daily dose!
5. Remember the good
No matter how life goes, reminding yourself of your strengths, abilities, and successes can instantly boost your confidence. Sit down and make three lists for yourself: one for the things you love and admire about yourself, one for your strengths, and one for your achievements.
You can have a loved one help you with these lists. Keep them in your wallet or purse, and read them to yourself when you need a little confidence-kick. It will work every time.
Sources:
Adam H, Galinsky A.D. Enclothed cognition. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. 2012, 48(4): 918–925.
http://occupytampa.org/files/enclothed.cognition.pdf
Build Your Self-Esteem with These 3 Simple Exercises. Psychology Today. Retrieved Feb 6.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201404/build-your-self-esteem-these-3-simple-exercises
Does exercise help increase confidence? Sharecare. Feb 6.
http://www.sharecare.com/health/benefits-regular-exercise/does-exercise-increase-confidence
Building Confidence and Self-Esteem. Psychology Today. Retrieved Feb 6.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/hide-and-seek/201205/building-confidence-and-self-esteem
Reviewed February 9, 2015
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith