10 Habits That Make You Feel Positive and Confident
Positive thinking is essential to self-confidence and overall health. According to the Mayo Clinic, positive thinking is scientifically linked to longer lives, lower rates of depression, increased immunity, and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. We have been conditioned to think negatively, compare ourselves to others, and get stuck in self-deprecating cycles of worry. It’s all around us, in the news, on your Facebook feed, even in your home.
So how do you make the shift to feeling more positive and confident? Start small, with positive and intentional actions every day. The more you practice positive thoughts and behaviors, the more confident and self-assured you will feel. Here are ten ways you can feel more positive and confident every day.
10 Ways to Feel Positive and Confident
Make a decision. Don’t consult with a friend about what to order at dinner or call your spouse when shopping for groceries. Make a decision based on what your gut is telling you. It will make you feel stronger and allows you to practice trusting your inner voice.- Try something new. Confidence doesn’t come from perfection, it comes from effort.
- Gently exercise. Exercise is the most important non-medicine treatment for anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Just moving your body will break up negative thoughts and boost serotonin. Move your body every day, just be mindful of your energy and never overdo it. A seven minute workout or yoga in your living room will all work.
- Clean up your news feed. Social media that is full of triggers, images, and updates can push you into a bad mood. Start following inspirational or “happy” accounts. HealthyPlace on Facebook or my Guidance Girl page always inspires. The more positive images you view the better you will feel.
- Think back over the past week and write down every nice thing others said to you. Review the complements or comments when you're feeling insecure.
- Make a happy playlist.
Music can physiologically changes your brain and body. It can make you breathe faster, increase your pulse, and make you smile. Songs with a quick tempo and uplifting lyrics have been shown to be more effective at bringing out happy emotions. One of my favorites is ‘Happy’ by Pharrell. What are a few on your playlist? - Say no. Don’t say yes when you want to say no. You’re letting yourself down if you do favors you don’t want to do. Next time someone asks for something that will make you feel funky, and you feel the urge to say "yes," remind yourself they are asking, not ordering. You will respect yourself more later on.
- Practice posture. Hunching over at your desk can make you less confident and more insecure according to research from Ohio State University. Pull your belly button in towards your spine and pull your shoulders back when sitting or standing.
- Give yourself credit for small, daily accomplishments, even if you are not done. Did you work on cleaning up your closet but still have stacks of clothes to fold? Great, take a moment to focus on what you have done, don’t just wait until a project is finished.
- Get grateful. Write a thank-you note, or call someone to say thanks for meeting with you for lunch last week. People who are mindful of the positives in their life, create more positive energy. Comment on a post you like, email a friend, or even write down what you are grateful for in the moment (try and think of 5 new ones each time).
Remember, small shifts can produce remarkable results. The intention of building more positive thoughts and experiences will undoubtedly increase your self-confidence and self-esteem. One of my favorite affirmations that may help is:
"I am perfectly imperfect. I strive for better while loving all that I am today. In loving myself today, I am better equipped to improve myself tomorrow."
Share your tips below and take good care.
Emily is the author of Express Yourself: A Teen Girls Guide to Speaking Up and Being Who You Are.You can visit Emily’s Guidance Girl website. You can also find her on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.
APA Reference
Roberts, E.
(2014, March 5). 10 Habits That Make You Feel Positive and Confident, HealthyPlace. Retrieved
on 2024, November 5 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/buildingselfesteem/2014/03/10-ways-to-feel-positive-confident
Author: Emily Roberts MA, LPC
Hello My name is Cindy, I started reading your articles a couple of weeks ago, because of my ongoing problems an issues with anxiety, being a empathetic person, an from being abused to drug addict. Heavy load yes, have carried most of it since childhood. Which has led me to today. I’m probably not commenting on the right page but when I seen the 10 habits you had posted I decided I couldn’t wait to comment.
For these 10 positive habits I will practice every day. Some I have done away with long ago like the social media an So forth. Others I already knew how it made me feel better just by how I felt.
I can although say, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my empathetic heart. For giving me hope when I seen none, an help when I thought I would’nt have it.
So Glad seen this article, inspired me more to do and say what's right and what I really want without being afraid to do so. I learned to love myself more and respect myself, so everyone will see it and do it same with themselves.
Thank so much for spreading these positive thoughts . May God Bless you more and please continue sharing what you think that make people value themselves more.
Cheers!
Hello everyone,
My I’m 13 years we’ll just turned 13
And I realized that I have a low-self esteem and in confidence as well I’ve lost who I am and I don’t know how I even got here I have faith in god and it just fallen
apart everything and I’m trying not to give up but it’s so hard.
I started making my self seem less worth than my best friend there’s kinda competition in between us still is over our friendship I started seeing that she was trying to be like me in a better way than me and my mind just decided to agree that she’s better than me that I’m nothing and idk I wasn’t like this but right now I just wanna be me,I just wanna get the old me.
Hi Emily,
I have read your posts, quite helpful
I got married a year ago and have everything good lovely husband, his parents and my parents.. But somehow I get really sad for nothing.. I work at an MNC and I really Don do my best Der as I am going change my career to teaching and want to put efforts Der.. Have a lot people around me.. But I feel am ignored or not given any value.. Thy go out without letting g us know.. They Don even call us.. I have got really negative about things my husband really likes me but I point out each and everything he says and hurt him.. I Don want to be this I want to be a person who is positive and makes everyone positive. Please help me I get really jealous seeing such people
Hi there Keetthi--
I am glad that you are asking for some assistance and thank you for reading my work :). When we depend on others to make us feel worthy we wind up feeling frustrated. It sounds like you are looking for ways to serve and help people and sometimes they don't give back to you. This builds resentment. You may have to ask for what you want or need from others because they wont know what you are feeling or what you want unless you tell them. I also think therapy can be really helpful in learning how to set boundaries and become more assertive. This way you can feel confident regardless of what others do ya know?
I hope this helps let me know.
Em
Thank you for the advice. I am doing my best to feel more confident and happy about myself.
now l know how to free up my mind, l used to say YES whilst deep inside was a big NO.lm perfectly saved guys...."THANK'
hie guys,lm satisfied with your advice will always practise dat especially number 7
Thanks.
It really works but can you please tell me how to look more energetic and friendly.
Hi Bipin. Thanks for commenting.
If you want to look more energetic and friendly, then it is best to do the kinds of things that fill you with energy and positivity. This may vary between people, but some things that can universally increase energy levels are good diet, sleep and exercise; while doing things which add joy into your life can make you want to share that joy with others. I've always found that when I treat myself in a friendly way, I tend to act that way with others as well.
Hi Bipin,
The more you practice the skills the more confident you'll feel to be friendly. As for energy, make sure you are getting enough sleep and if you're hanging around people who bring you down, they will also suck your energy dry. If this is the case then it's likely you wont be as friendly either. So try to spend time with people or in environments that lift you up and that make you smile.
Let me know if this is helpful.
Em
I was told a long time ago, that since I'm happiest is when I'm around other people. I was adviced to treat my self to going out for coffee (or in my case pop, since I don't like coffee), but I hated the thought of just sitting in "Quick shops" waiting for someone to include me into their "circle". I think this is because while I'm sitting there waiting for someone who already knows me to come in, and sit down with me, enjoy their coffee/pop, I'm feeling ignored, and become sullkey , and thus come across to the people that were already at the "Quick shop" having coffee/pop with with their friends as someone they don't be around. I don't know how to stay looking cheerful, and a pleasent person to be around, and will begin to invite me to join them. Sometimes I have gone, and tried to overhear (without seaming to be "so close that I can overhear their conversations) what they were talking about, and say things like "excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt, but ____________" filling in the blanks with something I think, fell, or know. Also I seem to be the ONLY Democrate in a town ful of replicicans, and either I get offended, and either, I start to argue with them, or get up and leave, and thus end up thinking "I don't want to "be there, do that again". Also I've been on Facebook, and posted things I do know, my life/family etc. and expect, others to "comment" (like I'm doing now). I even gone so far as stating "If you agree with mw, PLEASE comment". How can I get other people's attention, and have it be Positive attention? Claudia
[…] Feeling more positive and confident. […]
I hope this really helps me out, especially they one that says don't say yes when you want to say no I have a bad habit of that and I take it out on my boyfriend bot meaning to.
Hi
My name is cathy a 34 year old woman with three kids, I use to be this loving positive person but since my boyfriend cheated on me three times. After finding out it killed me completely, his trying his best to show me he has changed but when ever we argue! The cheating part always comes back in the topic, he asked me to marry him but I said NO, cause the pain doesn't go away. What worries me I'm now pushing my kids away. I'm always angry. I really want to change for myself before changing for my kids. I will apply all the 10 ways of positive and confidence. This is the step I'm taking
Hello Dear, are you genuinely visiting this web site regularly,
if so afterward you will without doubt take pleasant experience.
Enough is enough when you are able to accept and handle the consequence of the sanction you impose. Example: If your son's behavior is such that you tell him he has to leave the family home, whether he has the resources to take care of himself or not, are you willing to see him homeless even if it removes him from your home? Another example: If your son displays behavior that warrants a call to the police, will you be able to accept whatever happens to him once the police are in control - arrest, incarceration, probation, etc ...
Are you familiar with NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness? NAMI is an international organization which educates and advocates on behave of mentally ill people and their families. Having a child with mental health issues is far from easy, I know. Sometimes all we can do is shift perspective and change our behaviors and actions ~ good luck and God Bless
HI Aurora,
Yes you are right, it can be insidious and take over our lives when someone we love refuses help or doesn't have the capacity to do so. I think the best thing we can do is take care of our selves so that we have the energy to attend to those who need help. I love that you found NAMI yes they are awesome!!!! I hope you are getting the help you need for your son. You are a blessing to so many. I'd love to hear more about your story and you can find me on facebook at The Guidance Girl. Message me lets talk more. You are amazing!
-Emily
We have applied almost to the letter this list of things trying to install healthy habits and self-esteem in our son who is Bipolar 1 with Narcasistic Personality Disorder Tendencies, it helps us deal with his personality traits but it hasn't rubbed off on him. It is almost impossible to distance yourself from your own mentally ill child that has never been independent or responsible for himself. His therapist gave use the advice lead by example 15 years ago and it has been met with every negative feeling and habit known to man. my question is when is enough enough of sharing in someone's misery even if they are your child?
The most intrigued Ways to improve mental health is the 7 one. In spite to satisfy personal needs, we striving after others intentions and desires, as well. This inner habits overloaded up our emotional state with many bad life experiences and narrow drastically our global life functioning. Simply, we ought to able to say "no" to any request from others that damages our psycho-social integrity and dignity, as well. Don't hesitate to say -no openly, if we forebode something unpleasant and risky. On the other hand, friendships where we should sacrifice personal happiness to others pleasure indicates fatal misfortune. Beside this observation, that lead to positive feeling, the 9-th daily activity exhibit great and useful accomplishments, in order to soften common interpersonal misunderstandings.