9 ways to feel more confident in just a few minutes

Everyone struggles with self-confidence—at least at some point in their lives.

Even the person who seems to have 100% self-confidence can have moments of insecurity and doubt.

For others, it is extremely difficult to feel confident.

A wave of insecurity, fear and anxiety wash over you, making you want to retreat into your own shell and disappear.

Perhaps you are introverted and suffer from your shyness. Maybe you have anxiety attacks. Or even you haven’t identified your strengths.

Trust sometimes takes practice!

If you need extra motivation before public speaking, want more body confidence, or simply want to be more confident in your love life — this article is for you!

Read on and see 9 ways to feel more confident in just a few minutes:

1. Turn off your inner voice

Do you have that voice inside your head making you doubt yourself?

“You’ll forget what to say!”, “You sounded so stupid when you said that.”, “You can’t do that! You are not good enough.”

If you keep listening to those negative and pessimistic voices inside your mind, you will never be able to get over your low self-esteem!

You have the ability to take control of your thoughts and fight back!

You know what is true about yourself. You can accomplish your goals and do things you never thought possible.

Talk to yourself—out loud.

“I am smart and capable. I have nothing to be ashamed of.”

“I prepared myself for this. I can do!”

“This is my body—the one that God gave me. I can’t hide behind insecurity. I’ll make it!”

You may not be able to turn off that inner voice forever, but you can speak louder than it.

Over time, your positivity will drown out the negativity—replacing it with well-earned trust.

2. SMILE!

A warm and genuine smile can go a long way!

Not only does this make you seem like a positive and happy person to those around you, it can also help you change the way you feel inside.

Research shows that a smile can improve your mood and relieve stress!

In the morning, smile to yourself in the mirror. Smile at people when you pass them in public.

Smile before going to do something that makes you nervous!

Choosing to be happy often starts with the show on your face. This will have a positive impact on how you feel internally and on the people around you.

3. Walk confidently and with poise

Improving your posture will have a huge effect on your self-confidence!

When you relax, you are minimizing your body, looking uncertain and insecure.

Sitting with your back rounded, walking squeamishly, or hunched over a table all day, doesn’t help you feel good — mentally or physically!

Body posture can affect your confidence.

Keep your back straight and your shoulders back.

When you walk tall and confident, people around you assume you’re ready.

In turn, you will feel more empowered and self-assured internally.

4. Do the “Super Man pose”

Being in a posture of confidence will make you feel and look totally different.

If you’re nervous before a speech or an interview (or anything else that makes you nervous), take a few minutes to be alone.

Take a few minutes beforehand to do the “Super Man pose!” Look in the mirror, place your hands on your hips, lift your chin slightly and look at the horizon for 2 minutes!

This simple step can increase the testosterone in your body (the power/dominance hormone) and lower your cortisol levels (the stress/anxiety hormone) and make you feel more in control!

Knife! You’ll be surprised how quickly this can affect you—positively!

5. Breathe deeply

As your confidence levels decline, you are often overcome with anxiety and insecurity.

At these times, it can feel hard to breathe—as if there’s something heavy in your chest.

Take a few moments away from the crowd if possible. If you can’t, try not to focus on the things around you.

Sit (or lie down) in a comfortable place. Close your eyes. Relax your muscles — arms, legs, shoulders, etc.

Focus your full attention on your in-breath and out-breath. Breathe in through your nose and release through your mouth slowly.

This will calm your heartbeat and drive away that feeling of fear and anxiety.

6. Think positively!

If you are a negative person, wherever you look, you may see negative things about yourself.

That’s when negative things start to come to your mind: People are looking at you and judging you. That girl in the corner is making fun of you. That person you just met is much smarter than you.

Think positively! Make that decision in your life.

If you fill your mind with positive, happy thoughts — there won’t be enough room for all self-doubts!

If you allow yourself to focus on the negative you have created in your mind, you will never feel the self-confidence within your reach.

7. Dress in a way that makes you feel good about yourself

Trust usually starts on the outside and goes in!

Not only do your clothing and appearance choices have a huge impact on how you are perceived by others, but it also plays a huge role in how you see yourself.

When you look in the mirror, do you like what you see? Do you like how your hair is and how your clothes fit?

Or do you feel slovenly and unattractive?

No one should feel this way!

If you feel confident and your appearance represents who you are, keep your head up.

You deserve a confidence booster!

If you need to, buy some new clothes.

8. Focus on speaking slowly!

Sometimes when you don’t feel confident, you get nervous.

Because of your nerves, you start talking quickly!

It makes you look nervous with the person you’re talking to and it makes you even more scared inside.

SLOW DOWN!

It will make you feel a lot more confident if you can think about what you’re saying before you blurt it out.

Focus on your rhythm when you’re talking.

Take your time forming your sentences. Pause when necessary — to think.

You’ll sound more confident, your heart won’t beat as fast, and it’ll make you feel much more prepared as you continue your conversation.

9.) PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE!

Practice all the things listed above!

Stand in front of the mirror and pretend you’re talking to someone important, walking onto a big stage or standing in a room full of important people.

Pretend you’re doing the things that make you the most nervous.

Practicing all of these will help you become more familiar with how you want to present yourself.

When you are at home and you feel these negative thoughts, tell yourself out loud that you are a winner!

Speak the truth about who you really are. You can do what you want!

You know you’re ready. You know you are a good person. You know you are a confident person.

You just have to believe in yourself.

And then the breath.

The next time you’re in a situation where you might feel awkward or unnatural, remember what you practiced!

Keep the posture, trust yourself and move forward.

SEE TOO:

When it gets hard to trust someone, just trust God