Top Tips For Reigniting Your Confidence Before Summer

Confidence can change your life.
For example, it can encourage you to take the next step in your career, allowing you to earn a better salary. It can help you stand up for yourself in a range of social situations. Some studies say it can even make you more attractive to others.

However, the biggest benefit associated with being a little more confident is that it makes you feel good about yourself. 
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With that in mind, here are some simple steps you can take to improve your overall confidence levels.

Indulge in self-care​

According to a recent study, "64% of surveyed Americans reported a self-confidence boost after practicing self-care." This is likely because it encourages you to put a conscious effort into making yourself look nice - which, in turn, makes you feel better about your appearance. 

As a result, now is the perfect time to curate a self-care routine that makes you feel good about yourself and your appearance. For example, you could get summer-ready by looking into laser hair removal or by developing a skincare regimen.

Start working out​

Exercise is a great confidence booster - but not for the reasons you may think. For example, while it can be a great way to lose weight or build muscle, it also increases your brain's production of mood-boosting hormones, such as serotonin. This is excellent news as "higher serotonin activity is related to greater feelings of confidence, which in turn gives you the drive to do the things that build self-esteem."  

As such, now is the perfect time to get serious about fitness and working out. Find an activity you love, and ensure that you stick to it. If you find that you abandon your fitness journeys as often as you start them, keep an eye out for 
workout ideas that'll prevent boredom from settling in. Remember, the more consistent you are, the better the results.

Hit that unfollow button

According to a recent report, "60% of people using social media believe it negatively impacts their self-esteem." This is likely due to the fact that we are encouraged to compare ourselves to every single post we see on our feed - whether they are from our friends or celebrities. However, in doing so, we're chipping away at our own confidence levels each time we scroll.

As a result, it is crucial that you curate a social media feed that fills you with positivity instead of self-doubt. This means you should unfollow (or mute) accounts that actively harm your confidence levels. However, it's also useful to bare in mind that we only upload photographs where we look our best or when we are doing something fun, meaning social media isn't a reflection of a person's entire life. Don't compare your existence to a snapshot! 

Say no to beauty standards

Society and the media continue to push unrealistic beauty standards on the general public. However, learning to reject these standards by accepting that we're all unique and beautiful in our own way can do wonders for your confidence. This is because doing so will encourage you to embrace your quirks instead of viewing them as something you must shy away from.

While stepping away from these standards can be difficult - they appear every time you turn on the TV or open your phone - it can be incredibly liberating. Fortunately, there are many ways to rebel against beauty standards. For example, you should start dressing in clothes that you love, as opposed to those that are simply in fashion. This is a form of self-expression that is sure to leave you feeling more confident every day - and it gives you an excuse to indulge in some much-needed retail therapy.

Follow a healthy diet​

There are many links between confidence and healthy eating. For example, following a healthy diet can transform your relationship with your body, meaning you will naturally feel a little more confident. However, it can also do wonders for your mental health. For example, "If we fuel our bodies with the foods it needs—while avoiding the foods that make us feel sick or sluggish—we start to feel great." 

As a result, it's pivotal that you begin to think carefully about how you fuel your body. Try incorporating more fruits and veg into your diet, as this can be a great way to ensure you get all the nutrients you need. Furthermore, certain foods and ingredients are known mood boosters, which means your diet can also transform your mental health.

Learn to redirect negative thoughts​

Another way in which you can boost your confidence is by learning to redirect any negative thoughts about yourself, turning them into something positive instead. For example, whenever you catch yourself being even slightly negative, be that about your appearance or your actions, try to stop yourself mid-thought. Then, repeat three positive statements about yourself out loud. For example, you could repeat affirmations such as: 

I am a good person.
I am a talented person.
I am really good at what I do. 

While this may take a little getting used to, the more you practice this habit, the more spontaneous this will feel. Furthermore, it will also encourage you to be a little kinder to yourself - which is something that can never go amis.

Allow yourself to make mistakes​

While the way in which we think about our appearance often impacts our confidence, it is not the only trigger for low self-esteem. For example, you may be lacking in confidence as you expect too much from yourself in your career, meaning you view any stumbling block as a disaster rather than a learning opportunity. 

As a result, one way in which you can boost your confidence is by giving yourself a chance to make mistakes. Remember, a single mistake will not end your career, and there are always steps you can take to rectify your error. Furthermore, you can also learn a lot from the mistakes you make so that they are not repeated.