Confidence is a radiating trait. It’s an attractive quality that brings people in. People want to be around someone who is self-assured and empowering. A confident individual is composed, strong, and well put together. Above all, a confident person feels good in their own skin.
Now, being confident is not easy! It takes a lot of practice and awareness to feel assured in the way you act and present yourself. And even if you’re feeling on top of the world, something as simple as a sudden breakout can pull you down. Fortunately, there are ways you can feel more confident in your body and spirit. Keep reading for some key confidence-boosting takeaways.
1. Implement a Skincare Routine
It sounds simple, but a consistent skincare routine can do wonders for how you feel about yourself. Taking care of your skin is really an act of self-care, a means of prioritizing yourself for a few minutes. Your skincare routine doesn’t need to be daunting or include dozens of steps. It can — and should — be tailored to your skin and your skin’s needs.
If you’re concerned about facial blemishes, start using an acne treatment, ideally one that’s personalized to your skin. Treatments often consist of antibiotics, retinoids, or spironolactone, and these are either applied topically or taken orally. Your healthcare provider can help you develop a treatment regimen that will work best for you and your skincare routine. However, it’s important to remember that your new treatment probably won’t work overnight. Although pimples may appear all of a sudden, they unfortunately take longer to disappear.
Make sure to practice your skincare routine consistently. If you have trouble making the time for your skincare, think about how good you’ll feel afterward. By caring for your skin, you’re subconsciously telling yourself that you’re attending to your needs. A skincare routine is an act of self-love that will enhance how you perceive yourself and ultimately boost your confidence. Be consistent, and your skin will thank you in return.
2. Nourish Your Body
Eating a healthy diet is also an important part of feeling confident. When you’re feeling down about your body, you’re more likely to gravitate toward comforting foods like sugary cakes and cookies. However, eating foods like this can make you feel even worse about yourself. This is a cyclical state to find yourself in, and it can be hard to break out of. Thankfully, eating wholesome foods is the best way to nourish not only your body, but also your soul.
Eating healthfully will improve your mood, which will in turn boost your confidence. But we all know that it’s hard to eat carrots when a bag of chips is lurking in the cupboard! Try to avoid keeping unhealthy food in your home in order to reduce that temptation. At the same time, focus on what you can eat instead of what you can’t or shouldn’t eat. When you reach for the veggie tray instead of the potato chip, think about how good you’ll feel physically and mentally.
Now, this tip shouldn’t be thought of as punishment. Eating well is another act of self-care, a way to prioritize your health and feel good about yourself. Fruits and vegetables are great sources of vitamins and minerals that will nurture your body. Filling up on lean protein will also refuel your tank, while drinking water will keep you hydrated. Adding just a few of these foods each day will help you feel like the very best version of yourself.
3. Tailor Your Social Media Feeds
Comparison is the death of confidence. Just when you’re feeling really great about yourself, you see someone else whose life seems a little bit better. While social media can be used in a purposeful way to meet others and connect, it can also trigger comparison. More often than not, you’ll close the app feeling uneasy and insecure.
Take a moment to think about when you spend the most time on social media. It’s not when you’re out with friends enjoying yourself. It’s likely when you’re by yourself on the couch or bored waiting in line at the store. The people you associate with — whether in-person or digitally — can seriously impact your mood and thus your confidence levels. Surrounding yourself with good people can make all the difference for how you feel about yourself.
Spend an hour or so going through the list of people you follow on your favorite social media platforms. Mute or unfollow anyone who doesn’t boost your mood or your happiness.
Now, take this advice with a grain of salt. Not everyone’s posts are meant to make you happier, and if you deny your friends’ occasional feelings of sadness, you’re contributing to toxic positivity. That said, limit the number of news sources or influencers you follow if their posts make you anxious or unhappy. Tailoring your social feeds can improve how you feel about yourself and allow you to feel more confident.
Takeaway
Confidence is a finicky thing. One moment you’re feeling on cloud nine, and the next you feel alone, isolated, and down in the dumps. By prioritizing yourself and engaging in self-care, your mental health — and likely your physical health — will get a boost. Feeling the best in your own skin helps increase confidence, so taking time for yourself is very important. And no matter what, remember that tomorrow is another day and another opportunity to conquer your self-doubt.
