Want to live your best life? You need to build your confidence to the highest peak possible to do so.
Guest written by Camille Johnson
In addition to swaggering through life with ease, confidence will help you make the most of every situation and achieve your goals. With the pandemic turning our mental and physical health topsy-turvy, we at Pandora’s Health believe it’s time to rekindle our confidence to re-enter the world refreshed. Below are some confidence-building habits to try today.
Find ways to relax
One of the biggest reasons individuals come across as underconfident is that they’re internalizing all their thoughts. According to the American Psychological Association, one in three Americans considers themselves stressed, and 41% of Americans consider themselves highly anxious. Both stress and anxiety are significant contributors to underconfidence, so you will need to find strategies to help you relax. And these will be unique for everyone!
Maybe you find relaxation in a calming yoga class, or perhaps you find it driving around with music blasting at the highest volume. Decluttering is another significant way to stay calm and focused, particularly if your home could use a refresh. For example, cleaning up and making your home a clutter-free environment paves the way for a healthier and happier home life.
Fake it til you make it
This mantra works. ThriveGlobal writes that we all have an ideal version of ourselves – someone who has control over their life and gets what they want. The trick is to take this vision of yourself and actively become that person.
For example, if you see yourself looking for a fulfilling and rewarding career but find that your present job isn’t cutting it anymore. No sweat! Reach for the career you’ve always wanted. You can go back to school part-time through an online degree program to find a job path toward fulfillment. Toxic partner? Find someone who treats you the way you want to be treated. Confidence isn’t easy – it takes change, growth, and actionable behavior to get to where you want. But acting confident (even if you’re not) is an easy way to get to the finish line without all the hard work.
Be kind to yourself
Along your self-confidence journey, you may find that you face certain obstacles. Inertia, fear, perfectionism, and blame are just some of the challenges you may encounter along the way. Instead of giving in to these negative thoughts, learn to be kind to yourself. If you slip up due to unrealistic goals, learn to tweak your goals instead of berating yourself for not meeting them.
In addition, take your mistakes as a learning lesson! Why not start small if you feel like you’re struggling too much to reach your ideal self? Instead of jumping into intense HIIT classes seven days a week, start smaller with yoga or pilates a couple of times a week to get into the groove. You may find yourself more consistent in sticking with your goals this way.
When it comes to nutrition, don’t aim to eat healthy every day. Instead, look for healthy alternatives and swaps you can incorporate into your daily diet. Looking and feeling good through food and exercise is critical for confidence – but it doesn’t need to be difficult as well!
At the end of the day, confidence is a mindset. It isn’t about how you look, what you’re wearing, or where you work. Instead, it is a habit and a skill that, yes, comes from within. But if you find yourself lacking in the internal confidence department, you can always build and work on it to achieve your goals. After all, practice makes perfect!
Pandora's Health 