Contributed Collaborative Post
According to a recent study, 79% of women struggle with their confidence.
Unfortunately, this is not something that you can change overnight. Building (or re-building) your confidence takes a lot of work, but it is definitely something that is worth the investment when you think about the benefits this can bring forth. For example, not only will it increase your self-esteem, but confidence is also considered to be the secret to success in numerous careers.
With that in mind, here are some simple yet effective ways in which you can build your confidence in the new year.
Smile as much as you can! Various scientific studies have found that people who smile frequently tend to feel more confident than those who do not. This is because smiling, even when we don’t feel all that happy, triggers the release of mood-boosting endorphins, such as serotonin.
Of course, this peice of advice is difficult to follow if you are unhappy with your smile to begin with. Fortunately, there are ways to work around that, too. For example, if you’re concerned with the appearance of your smile, you could explore corrective treatments such as clear teeth aligners.
Embrace your body. Your relationship with your body also contributes to your confidence levels. As such, regaining body confidence is key. There are many different ways in which you can achieve this goal, from working out more often, to paying yourself compliments. However, one of the most beneficial ways in which you can rebuild your relationship with your body (and feel more confident than ever) is to let go of the idea that your body must adhere to outdated societal standards. Your body is beautiful in its own way, and that deserves to be celebrated.
Push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Generally speaking, when we’re lacking in confidence we tend to retreat into the shadows of our own lives. This is because we feel a lot more comfortable there as opposed to putting ourselves in the spotlight or into new situations. However, you’ll never get more confident on the sidelines, meaning that you have to start putting yourself out there in order to make a difference to your psyche.
Fortunately, one of the major benefits associated with stepping outside of your comfort zone is that you can start small. This way, you can build your confidence up gradually as opposed to throwing yourself into the deep end. For example, this could mean you begin to voice your opinions more clearly at work instead of letting these opportunities pass you by. Who knows, this could even open doors in your career.
Final thoughts. While confidence may seem to be elusive right now, there are plenty of steps that you can take to elevate your confidence levels in the new year. From stepping out of your comfort zone, to learning to fall in love with your reflection all over again, the more you work on building your confidence, the more confident you will become.
This is a contributed collaborative post
