Having a confident attitude can impact your health and happiness. “Confidence gives you the skills and coping methods to handle setbacks and failure,” says Barbara Markway ,PhD, via Psychology Today. “Self-confidence doesn’t mean you won’t sometimes fail. But you’ll know you can handle challenges and not be crippled by them. Even when things don’t turn out anywhere close to what you planned, you’ll be able to avoid beating yourself up.” There will be moments where your confidence seems to fail you—here are 7 ways to boost your confidence quickly, according to experts.
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1. Visualize Yourself Succeeding
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If you’re stepping into a stressful situation, try using visualization techniques to give yourself confidence. "Take a few minutes to close your eyes and see the results you want," award-winning life coach Stacia Pierce tells SELF. "Just a few minutes of imagining a successful outcome can make a world of difference in your performance.”
2. Get Encouragement From Others
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Spend time with people who lift you up. “Surround yourself with positive people who see the best in you and say it,” Dr. Nina Vasan, MD, MBA, tells TODAY. “At the same time, if you notice certain people in your life leave you feeling negative or drained, consider ways to spend less time with them.”
3. Turn That Frown Upside Down
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Smiling can instantly make you feel better, and make others feel good too. “You can boost your confidence, feel happier, and relieve stress in a matter of seconds by flashing those pearly whites," Pierce says. "Smiling at others helps you to emit and receive good vibes throughout the day.”
4. Positive Affirmation
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Talk to and about yourself the way you would to your loved ones. “Being kind to yourself starts with saying good things to yourself,” says Dr. Vasan. “Positive affirmations can build confidence by reminding you of your self-worth.
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5. Trust Your Instincts
iStockConfidence comes from having trust in your own instincts. “Often many core beliefs we are holding onto are internalized messages that we have received at one point in our lives from society, our families, peers," Kathryn Lee, MHC, EdM, MA, tells TODAY. “If you do not become familiar with your own voice it can be easy to let external voices and opinions become your own. Take the time to get to know and strengthen your own voice.”
6. Turn Up the Music
iStockThe right song can be an instant mood-lifter and confidence-booster. "The right tunes can energize you while stopping you from stressing," Pierce says. "Turn it up and tune everything else out.”
7. Stand Up Straight
ShutterstockYour posture can instantly boost your confidence. “Our psychological posture can be mirrored in our physical posture,” Lee says. “Adjusting your posture, keeping your head up, back straight can also adjust our own psychological posture, beginning to reframe things in a more positive manner.”
