Self-confidence is a feeling of confidence in one's abilities, qualities and judgment. Research suggests that confidence is important for health and mental well-being.1 Learn how to be more confident and reap the benefits of increasing your confidence and self-belief.
What is self-confidence?
Self-confidence can refer to a general feeling of confidence in your ability to control your life, or it can be more specific to a particular situation. For example, you may have high confidence in a certain area of expertise, but feel less confident in other areas.
Healthy self-esteem can help you become more successful in your personal and professional life. For example, research has found that people who are more confident tend to achieve more academically.3
Self-confidence can also play a role in motivation to pursue your goals, with studies linking higher levels of self-confidence in athletes with increased motivation to play their chosen sport.4 Your level of self-confidence even affects how you present yourself to others.
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Fortunately, there are several ways to boost your confidence. Whether you lack confidence in one particular area or struggle to feel confident in anything, these nine confidence boosters can help.
Stop comparing yourself to others
Do you compare how you look to the people you follow on Instagram? Or maybe you compare your salary to what your friend earns. Social comparison theory explains that comparison is natural. But it probably won't help boost your confidence. It can even have the opposite effect.
A 2018 study published in Personality and Individual Differences found a direct link between envy and how we feel about ourselves.5 Specifically, researchers noted that when people compare themselves to others, they experience envy. And the more envy they have, the worse they feel.
How do you build confidence when you notice yourself comparing? First, remind yourself that it's not helpful. Everyone runs their own race and life is not a competition.
If you're envious of someone else's life, it's also helpful to remind yourself of your own strengths and accomplishments. Keep a gratitude journal to better remind yourself of the areas of life where you are blessed. This can help you focus on your own life versus focusing on the lives of others.
Surround yourself with positive people
Take a moment to think about how your friends make you feel. Will they lift you up or bring you down? Are they constantly judging you or accepting you for who you are?
The people you spend time with can influence your thoughts and attitudes about yourself, perhaps more than you realize. So pay attention to how others make you feel. If you feel bad after meeting a particular person, it may be time to say goodbye.
Instead, surround yourself with people who love you and want the best for you. Look for others who are positive and can help you build your confidence. Confidence and a positive attitude go hand in hand.
Take care of your body
This tip for being more confident is based on the idea that it's hard to feel good when you're abusing your body. When you practice self-care, you know you're doing something positive for your mind, body, and spirit—and that will naturally make you feel more confident.
Here are some self-care practices associated with higher levels of self-esteem:
Diet: Eating healthy has many benefits, including higher levels of self-confidence and self-esteem. When you feed your body nutrient-dense foods, you'll feel healthier, stronger, and more energized, which can result in a better sense of self.Exercise: Studies consistently show that physical exercise boosts self-esteem. For example, a 2016 study found that regular physical activity improved participants' body image. And when their body image improved, they felt more confident. 8Meditation: Meditation is not only a relaxing practice, but it can help boost self-confidence in several ways. For one thing, it helps you recognize and accept yourself. Meditation also teaches you to stop negative self-talk and disconnect from the unhelpful mental chatter that erodes your confidence.Sleep: Skimping on sleep can take a toll on your emotions. Conversely, quality sleep is associated with positive personality traits, including optimism and self-esteem.Be kind to yourself
Self-compassion means being kind to yourself when you make a mistake, fail, or experience a setback. It allows you to become more emotionally flexible and helps you better navigate challenging emotions, strengthening your connection with yourself and others.
A 2015 study links self-compassion to self-confidence.10 So the next time you find yourself in a challenging situation, realize that being imperfect or sometimes falling short is part of being human. Do your best to navigate these experiences with self-compassion.
Practice positive self-talk
Negative self-talk can limit your abilities and lower your self-esteem by convincing your subconscious mind that you "can't do it" or that it's "too hard" and "you shouldn't even try."11 is optimistic, on the other hand, it can promote self-compassion and to help you overcome self-doubt and take on new challenges.
The next time you start thinking that you have nothing to say in a meeting or that you're too out of shape to exercise, remind yourself that your thoughts aren't always accurate. Then find a way to turn those thoughts into more positive self-talk.
Face your fear
Stop putting things off until you feel more confident—like asking someone out or asking for a promotion. One of the best ways to build confidence in these situations is to face your fears.
You might find that being a little anxious or making a few mistakes isn't as bad as you thought. And every time you move forward, you gain more confidence in yourself. Ultimately, this can help you avoid taking risks that will result in major negative consequences.
Do the things you are good at
What happens when you do the things you are good at? Your confidence will start to rise. Your strengths become even stronger, helping to improve your self-belief. This approach also has another benefit: it can increase your satisfaction with your life.
One study found that confidence in your ability to build on your personal strengths is moderately related to your level of life satisfaction.15 It starts with identifying what your strengths are. Then try to make them stronger by engaging with them regularly.
The benefits of self-confidence
Being confident just feels good. That said, self-confidence can also bring many other benefits at home, at work, and in your relationships. Here's a look at some of the positive effects of learning how to be confident:
Better performance: Rather than wasting time and energy worrying about not being good enough, you can focus your energy on your efforts. Ultimately, you will perform better when you have more confidence.19Healthier Relationships: Self-confidence not only affects how you feel but helps you better understand and love others. It also gives you the power to walk away from the relationship if you are not getting what you want or deserve.Openness to try new things: When you believe in yourself, you are more willing to try new things. Whether you're asking for a promotion or signing up for a cooking class, getting there is much easier when you have confidence in yourself and your abilities.Resilience: Believing in yourself can increase your resilience or ability to bounce back from any challenges or adversities you face in life.
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