Need some ways to give your self-confidence a boost?
While building your confidence takes consistent effort and time, there are some great, short-term solutions that will add up other time. Read on for 5 great ways to give your self-confidence a boost.
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1. Work out
Exercise is one of the best ways to give your self-confidence a boost. Regular exercise (daily to a few times a week) can really help boost your confidence. When we do aerobic exercise (think exercise that requires heavier breathing, such as running or a dance class) our body is flooded by feel-good chemicals, including endorphins, serotonin (responsible for making you feel calm and happy), and most importantly dopamine – which is a key chemical for helping you to feel more confident.
Exercise and workouts also help us feel fantastic because they provide us with a sense of accomplishment. One study showed that women who regularly danced experienced higher self-esteem. So stick some tunes on and enjoy the rush of those feel-good chemicals.
Another benefit of regular exercise is that it can improve our physical appearance, which can also have a positive impact on our self-confidence. As we become stronger and more toned, we may feel more confident in our own skin and have a more positive body image. Additionally, exercise can also improve our overall mental health and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, which can often affect our self-confidence. So not only does working out make us physically stronger, it also has a significant impact on our mental and emotional well-being, ultimately boosting our confidence in all aspects of our lives.
2. Make a Gratitude List
You may have heard of the power of gratitude lists: several studies have found that writing three things that you appreciate or enjoyed from the day can boost your happiness by as much as 10% in the space of a month. Gratitude lists are a fabulous way to boost your happiness and you can also use them to help boost your self-esteem.
Each day, write down three things you did well that day or that you feel proud of. Maybe you remembered to wash the dishes, or you helped a friend out by listening to her problems. Make a note of three things that you did well and that you can praise yourself for. As the days go by, these feel-good notes will add up and help boost your confidence.
Gratitude lists have been found to not only boost happiness, but also improve overall well-being and mental health. In addition, studies have shown that individuals who regularly practice gratitude tend to have higher self-esteem and confidence levels. Writing down three things you are grateful for or proud of each day can be a simple yet effective way to boost your confidence. This practice can also help shift your focus from negative thoughts to positive ones, leading to a more optimistic outlook on life. So why not give it a try and see the positive impact it can have on your confidence and overall well-being?
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3. Perform an Act of Kindness
Acts of kindness are a brilliant way to help uplift your self-esteem. Each week, why not set yourself three small acts of kindness. Acts of kindness are a wonderful way to help feel good about yourself and will also get you out of your own head, moving your focus from picking apart your flaws to helping someone else. You can find some great ideas for acts of kindness online, but any small act will do. How about buying a relative a bunch of flowers or donating to a charity you believe in?
Acts of kindness have been shown to have a positive impact on both the giver and the receiver. According to research, performing acts of kindness can increase levels of happiness and self-esteem. This is because it shifts our focus from our own insecurities to helping others. Additionally, acts of kindness can also improve social connections and create a sense of purpose. Some simple acts of kindness include complimenting someone, volunteering, or even just smiling at a stranger. By setting small acts of kindness as a weekly goal, you can boost your confidence and make a positive impact on those around you.
4. Challenge Your Thoughts
If you are struggling with low self-esteem, one of the most effective ways to tackle this issue is to work on challenging your thinking styles. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the gold-standard for many challenging emotions and thinking styles. It’s backed by hundreds of studies that show that challenging your thoughts really works to help make a change in your mood and wellbeing.
Grab a piece of a paper and a pen or open up an online notepad and write down any negative thoughts you have about yourself. Now, imagine that your thoughts were coming from your worst enemy or a drunk stranger on the street. What would you say to defend yourself and challenge these comments if they were coming from someone else?
You can use evidence and alternatives to help "argue" with your negative thoughts. For example, you may have the thought “no one likes me”, and then the evidence against this thought may be that you have some friends that enjoy spending time with you or that you recently received a compliment from someone you admire.
Spending 10-15 minutes each day working on challenging your negative thoughts is likely the most effective way to help boost your confidence and self-esteem.
According to research, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a highly effective method for challenging negative thoughts and improving self-esteem. Studies have shown that dedicating just 10-15 minutes a day to this practice can lead to significant improvements in mood and well-being. Additionally, using evidence and alternatives to argue against negative thoughts can help to boost confidence. This technique is often used in CBT and has been proven to be successful in changing thinking patterns. By dedicating time each day to challenge your thoughts, you can take control of your self-esteem and improve your overall outlook on life.
5. Ditch Toxic Friends
Finally, pay careful attention to how the people around you make you feel. If you are spending time with anyone that makes you feel bad about yourself in any way, then consider putting some space between you. You deserve to be around people that make you feel good about yourself and there are many lovely people out there who will appreciate you for you. Try to remember that when people are grumpy or unkind, it's far more about their own insecurities and weaknesses than it is about you. Take time to build positive relationships with people who really appreciate you.
We hope you found our advice on how to build your confidence helpful! Have any favorite tips on how to help grow confidence? Feel free to share them with us!
