4 Tips for Regaining Your Confidence this Summer

By a Yoga Medicine® Contributor.

It’s been a tough year for many, so feeling burnt out and not sure of yourself is natural coming out of this anxiety-ridden year. If you feel like you’re not ready to go out and live your best life because you’re so consumed with your own insecurities then it’s time to shake that off and regain your confidence! Bouncing back after a difficult time might seem unfeasible but don’t worry, we have four tips that will help you feel like your old self and back to your best!

Stop Comparing

You’ve probably heard the expression, “comparison is the thief of joy,” and although it’s easier to sit on your phone for hours and scroll through Instagram, you are doing yourself a disservice, and creating a reality that is far from true. Nobody is perfect, so don’t let your mind believe that you would be better off living someone else’s life. In order to regain your confidence, you need to feel happy with yourself, and that starts by reminding yourself of your own value and strength. When you find yourself struggling with comparison, put your phone down and practice gratitude. You can do that by writing in a gratitude journal or simply by saying them out loud. Try going for a walk without your phone to detach from social media. Social media is a highlight reel, so learn to celebrate yourself from time to time. Once you do that, you will find yourself competing with yourself instead of others.

Focus On Mental Health

In order to feel your best, you have to make sure your insides look as good as your outside and that starts with your mental health. Your mental health plays a vital role in your overall self-image and can affect your confidence in a big way. People with poor mental health tend to struggle with developing healthy habits that can affect self-esteem, and lead to bigger issues with anxiety and depression. That’s why it’s key to spend time nourishing your brain with your favorite activities and hobbies as a form of self-care. Self-care can help manage your stress levels and improve your own self-worth. When you do things you love like knitting or cooking, you are looking after your mental health. However, if you’re finding your mental health on a slippery slope then consider talking to a professional. Helping yourself starts when you admit you need help and there are various resources available. If you’re someone struggling to find or start therapy then try online counseling as an easy and flexible approach. Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all, so it will take time for you to feel adjusted. As long as you take the first step, you won’t regret it.

Take Care Of Your Body

You use your body every day, so don’t let your physical health fall by the wayside. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising can seem almost impossible at times but start small by making a goal list for yourself. Where do you struggle the most? Do you find yourself grabbing a bag of chips every time you’re stressed? Or do you find yourself rarely moving ever since you started working from home? Once you pinpoint the issue, finding a solution will feel easy. If you struggle to find a workout that fits with your busy work schedule then start establishing healthy habits at home with some at-home cardio moves and online yoga classes with Yoga Medicine®. Moving your body through yoga or cardio helps build your confidence and helps you feel ready for any beach day. You only get one body, so make sure you are giving it as much attention as it needs because when you feel good on the inside that translates to your outside.

Practice Self-Talk

We all talk to ourselves but have you ever considered how your self-talk might be affecting you? Talking to yourself can actually have a multitude of effects on your mental state, especially if positive. Positive self-talk is the inner monologue you have with yourself that will help you better manage your feelings, thoughts, and attitude. Positive self-talk can also impact your confidence, and help you feel sure about yourself. Although it will seem silly at first, self-talk is an important aspect of your mental health, so use it to your advantage. If you find that a majority of your self-talk is negative then check in with your feelings and identify where you seem to struggle. A simple but effective way to start your positive self-talk journey is to give yourself positive affirmations every morning. Starting your day with positive affirmations will set the tone for the day, and establish a healthy mindset.

The Takeaways

Regaining your confidence starts with putting your best foot forward and wanting to feel good for yourself. It has been a challenging year, so give yourself time to grow and heal before demanding results. There will be moments when you struggle but learning to love yourself is a process, so have fun!