Guest Post by Constance Ray of RecoveryWell.org / Image via Pexels

It’s true that confidence is something you can’t just wish for. You have to earn it. There are no shortcuts, and there’s no way around the hard work of taking care of your mental health. With a little effort, you can start feeling better today and even find ways to live your best life now. Stacy Reuille-Dupont shares this list of small changes anyone can make right away to build self-confidence and get started on their journey toward a more fulfilling life.

Confidence comes from within

While people see confidence on the outside, it all starts from within yourself. You can’t let other people’s opinions or anyone else’s thoughts dictate how you feel about yourself.

Take a moment to check in and assess how you view yourself. Are you happy? Do you like the person in the mirror? Are you proud of your achievements? The more often that people can make these affirmations about themselves, the easier it will be to portray confidence on the outside.

So, how do you build confidence?

Improve your self worth with education

Going back to school and getting an online degree is a great way to feel better about yourself and increase confidence. When you feel good about yourself, your views about the world will start to change. Thinking that you can be successful in anything becomes much easier. Also, with a degree that is respected by employers in today’s competitive job market, it’s easy to feel like someone who matters.

Exercise daily

Physical activity helps your brain release endorphins. These are hormones that make you feel happy and improve your mood. Exercise also boosts self-esteem, increases energy levels, and decreases stress levels. Even a short walk can help to clear the mind and put some things in perspective. We all have insecurities, but one of the best ways to boost our confidence is to improve how we feel about ourselves. For some people, this means getting into great shape. 

Need some help staying motivated? Get some gear to inspire you to work out. Also, grab a leash and bring your dog along for a walk or jog. And if you want your pet to join you during indoor workouts, pick up a treadmill for dogs, allowing them to get some exercise right alongside you!

Get enough sleep

Getting a good night’s rest is important for your body and your mind. According to the National Sleep Foundation, getting a good night’s rest on a regular basis can do wonders for your memory, productivity, moods, and health. Sleep is also something you can control with a good nighttime routine.

Sync up your body clocks with a regular sleep schedule so that you can get into a routine of going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. This will help your circadian rhythm and gives you some good habits to set yourself up for success.

Try yoga or meditation

These activities are great for decreasing stress levels and boosting energy. Also, studies show that yoga can improve concentration and memory. With these benefits, it’s easy to see why this can make you feel better about yourself. As a bonus, these are also something that you can do right at home with no equipment or membership fees required.

Take control of your finances

Your financial situation can have a huge impact on your confidence. It’s a good idea, therefore, to also assess your financial health and take essential measures to improve them where you can. If you have a home under a mortgage, refinancing can free up some cash that you can then use for investments or pay down debt can be a great way to do so. This way, you enjoy more peace of mind and security and, in turn, be more confident as you go through life. 

Alternatively, if your home is paid off and you want to move to a smaller space, you could sell your house and move into an apartment (there are over 4,000 apartments in Denver CO to choose from). That way, you can use the money you make from the sale to improve your financial situation. 

Positive Thoughts Lead to a Positive Life

It’s never too late to improve your confidence. In this article, we’ve provided a few ideas of how you can build it from the inside out. Building self-confidence is about being proud of who you are and working on things that make you feel good about yourself – whether that means going back to school, finding ways to manage stress more effectively, or taking control of your finances. With these simple steps, not only will others see a difference in you, but so will you!