8 Habits That Instantly Boost Your Confidence and Make You Feel More Attractive

Fact checked by Anna HarrisReviewed by Sanam Hafeez, PsyD

Confidence is an inside job. While that statement might be deemed controversial, it's true. And not one size fits all when it comes to being your most confident self. While we know we cannot derive true happiness or confidence from outside sources, there are several ways to become and feel more confident daily. It's no surprise that life's circumstances can sometimes knock us off our path to confidence, and that's okay; we all experience this more often than not, and there's always a way back to feeling our best.

Ahead, we've compiled a list of eight tips that will help you achieve confidence at your highest level yet—You deserve it!

No Negative Self Talk

How we speak to ourselves and the words we use matter. While it might not seem like a big deal, what we speak about ourselves can alter how we feel daily. A key tip for feeling more confident is reframing the things we say about ourselves, no matter the subject. Eliminating negative words from our vocabulary when it comes to our appearance, work performance, parenting skills, or relationships can greatly impact our self-esteem for the better. Negative self-talk is more common than you think, and there's a science behind fixing it.

Endorphins Make A Difference

When feeling our best is the goal, endorphins can ensure confidence daily. Regular exercise boosts endorphins and puts us in a much better mood. The more you safely exercise, the better you feel, the more confidence you have, and so on. Engaging in regular exercise can do wonders for your brain and physical health. Whether you take a long walk or lift weights a few times a week, this will put you on the right course to feeling more confident. Find the right exercise that works for you, and do your best to make it a daily habit—we believe in you!

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration is no joke and can alter our mood if we don't have proper hydration habits daily. While not everyone needs a gallon of water daily, properly hydrating can level up our skin and brain function, giving us more energy. Have you been feeling a little down or sluggish? With work, kids, relationships, and many more circumstances surrounding our daily schedule, drinking water can often take a backseat. Check in with yourself to make sure you've had enough water and healthy sustenance for the day, it truly makes a difference!

Dress To Make Yourself Happy

All bodies are beautiful, period. Dressing in ways that express our inner selves and creativity instantly boosts dopamine and can greatly impact our confidence and how we show up in this world. Remember, there are so many made up rules that don't matter. If your jeans are too small, buy a size up or two. If you feel your best wearing bold, bright colors, opt for fun prints and colorful fabric. If black is your favorite color, wear it proudly. There's no limit to expressing yourself regarding clothing; it's an excellent remedy to boost one's confidence.

Get Your Beauty Sleep

A lack of sleep can affect our mood and body function, including our precious brains. While there are several life factors and times beyond our control when we won't get enough sleep, it is important to keep in mind when building our confidence and feeling our best. Track how you feel after sleeping a certain number of hours, and you'll be able to gauge how many hours a night suit you to tackle the next day with confidence and vigor. Need some extra help? Speak to a professional or check out these sleep schedule tips.

Ditch The Scroll

Social media is a necessary evil; we love and hate it simultaneously. While comparison is known to be the thief of joy, it can truly do a number on our confidence if we don't keep it in check. With the trend of toxic positivity taking over the internet, the most important thing to remember about social media use is we are in control of our boundaries around it. Not feeling so great after scrolling? Create a boundary on how much you scroll, what content you're taking in, and whether or not you need to check in on everything that's going on every second (spoiler, you don't). Unfollowing accounts that affect your confidence and self-esteem can greatly impact how you feel daily—the most important thing is to preserve your mental health. Remember, with social media, we rarely get the full story—stay present in the moment; it will do you a world of good.

Cultivate Your Own Beauty Routine

Not everyone must wear makeup or be invested in an exhaustive beauty routine to feel confident. However, certain morning rituals in taking care of ourselves can be a healthy confidence booster. Check in with yourself and see how you feel after doing your makeup. Do you love it? Do you enjoy the process? If wearing some makeup or styling your hair a certain way makes you feel more confident, go ahead and do those things as often as you can. Are there any rituals like bathing or wearing a face mask that help you relax? The more relaxed you are, the better you'll feel. Knowing who you are and what makes you feel your best will give you all the confidence you need, and your inner beauty will radiate outward, too!

Cut Back on the People Pleasing

It's hard to always please people, spoiler alert: It's impossible. Saying no when we mean yes and vice versa can impact our confidence in more ways that we realize. Having boundaries with ourselves and others creates a path to confidence that takes some time, yet is totally worth it. Check in with yourself often when exercising your boundaries with others to see how you feel. The more you support what you need to do for your own sanity and mental health, the more your confidence will soar.

Read the original article on Byrdie.