Bad days — they happen to everyone! You could say they are a part of life. Maybe you got held up and rushed into work late, which put your whole day off. Maybe you put on your favourite outfit and it just didn’t seem to sit right. Maybe you tripped on the treadmill and scuffed your knee up pretty bad (plus your pride took a hit). There’s lots of reasons why a bad day can get you down. The good news is, there’s lots of ways to give your confidence a little boost to improve your mood too. Read on to find out more!
- Stand up tall
When you stand up straight and open up your chest, you automatically look more self-assured. It’s like that feeling you get when you put on a pair of high heels and instantly feel more powerful. Research indicates good posture can lift both your mood and self-esteem, as well as helping to reduce cortisol (the stress hormone), something that has been tested on business leaders. Try standing up tall, pulling your chin up and shoulders back; it can make you feel more powerful!
- Turn up the beats
You might feel a little silly dancing around at home, but I’ll bet you enjoy it! Music can be so helpful for improving your mood, particularly if you listen to something uplifting. There has also been research to suggest music can have a therapeutic effect similar to meditation, which may be why it appears to help reduce stress and ease symptoms of PMS. A good sing-along always helps!
- Take a social media break
As wonderful as social media is, it can have its downsides. Comparing yourself with other people (including complete strangers) is not the way to build up your confidence if you’re feeling a bit down on yourself. Remember that for most people, what you see on Instagram or Facebook is the good times, not the day-to-day. You’re only seeing a portion of someone’s life, and it is not really fair (to either of you) to compare. The only person you should be comparing yourself to is yourself!
- Do something you’re good at
If you don’t think you’re doing something well, it can be hard to feel confident. When you break down what confidence actually means, it relates to knowing what you are good at and how much value you feel that this provides. Talking about, or actively doing, something you feel knowledgeable in can send your ‘value’ stocks soaring. Basically, doing something you KNOW you are good at can give you the internal reassurance you need to feel more confident about yourself, especially after a bad day.
- Get grooming!
Taking care of yourself is a good way to boost your confidence. It might be something small like giving yourself an at-home manicure, or chilling out with a face mask on. Without getting too scientific, grooming is behaviour that is important for humans (and other social animals) as it is nurturing, which means it can make a big difference to how we are feeling. Who doesn’t feel better after a nice shower, after all?
- Sweat it out
On a bad day, you might feel like just curling up under the covers. But as I’ve written previously, getting active can stimulate blood flow and help kick-off a rush of endorphins (feel-good hormones). Exercise can be very empowering, especially as you find your strength increasing. When you’ve had a bad day, just think how much more powerful you’ll feel if you crush your workout!
- Smile!
Positive body language can do wonders for your confidence! Making eye contact and flashing your smile can make you appear more confident, even if you’re not really feeling that way. Getting a smile back also makes you feel good. Smiling can help to reduce feelings of stress, so it’s an all-round win!
Keep in mind that these tips are intended to help boost your confidence in the short term, and we should all strive to build a deeper confidence in ourselves. Try not to let negative thoughts or a bad mood convince you that you don’t have value to offer people — be good to yourself, because YOU are amazing.
What tips do you try when you are having an off-day? Let me know in the comments!
Wherever you are in the world, have a lovely day ❤
Thanks for the good tips. What a great read.
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I am happy to hear that – You are welcome ❤
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I like these. They are simple but can cause such an improvement in mood
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The smallest things make the biggest impacts ❤
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This is such a wonderful post, I love it! ❤️
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Thank you so much for your kind words ❤
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Feeling very low today. Mind filled with all negative thoughts. Can’t seem to find my way out of this mess. It’s like my mind controls me and I can’t do a thing about it. Thinking of all the possible things I can do to run away from these thoughts and feelings. Not sure how to boost confidence when everything is so plane stupid and has no meaning or a solution.
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I am so sad to hear you are feeling low 😦
Be sure to remember that you are very grateful, there are those suffering in this world that do wish for a life like yours.
Be grateful always ❤
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I love this, so helpful. Some of these I already do when I’m having a bad day some were new to me and I’ll use them now. I like to sit back and breath when I’m having a bad day and take a minute to appreciate that good little things in life I look forward to after a long day and all the little things I get to have in my life. Like my boyfriend and friends.
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I am happy to hear that you already do some of these ❤
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Another great post. My favourite pick-me-ups are a session of chi kung (sometimes called qi gong) or some stretches and a brisk walk. While walking I clear my mind by counting my breaths and concentrating on walking tall as if being supported by string from the crown of my head. Take care,
Rusty.
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Walking honestly really calms my mind – I don’t know what it is though, maybe fresh air or nature – it’s something that just eases my anxiety.
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I like these tips. I do some of them often and didn’t even realize they were confidence boosters.
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Oo, like to hear that you do these without even realising ❤
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I can totally agree with all these tips, especially the one regarding doing something you’re good at – definitely helps after a whole day of having everything fall out of my hands and go wrong in general lol. Thank you for sharing! ❤
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Thank you for agreeing w/ me ❤
Yes, do what you're good at – never look at the things you can't do & put yourself down for it.
Embrace what you are good at ❤
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Very useful information. I listen to Oprah Super Soul Sunday Podcasts. 🤗
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Oo, I like the sound of this – might have to get my hands on this ❤
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It tricks your mind to focus on something else that will give you insight on life. 🤗😘
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Thats exactly right ❤
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Can I also add to #3 that we only see the ‘highlights’ reel of other people’s lives http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff-nation/assignments/look-up-changing-your-social-media-habits/16045308/Comparing-your-behind-the-scenes-with-everyone-elses-highlights
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Yes, you are more than correct – we only see what others want to show us ❤
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Awesome hints, thanks for sharing!
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Thank you for your kind words ❤
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A very helpful list for boasting self confidence, thank you for sharing.💐
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You are most welcome ❤
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This is very helpful 💕
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Thank you for your kind words ❤ ❤
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Thank you for the tips too! xx
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You are most welcome ❤
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Thank you for re-blogging ❤
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