Habits That Can Make You Feel Your Best

It's natural to want to walk around your office, head up, shoulders back, and spirits high; yet, sometimes you might be having an off day (or week) and feel not so hot. Fortunately, they're ways to feel attractive and confident, simply by manipulating your mindset and gaining a more positive and happier outlook. If you feel good about yourself, others will believe it too, and you'll feel likely more comfortable in your surroundings and capabilities.

As a certified health coach, I work with clients on boosting their inner confidence, which in turns, enhances their outer demonstration of self-worth and attractiveness. When you focus on promoting yourself and your accomplishments, you're naturally going to exponentially increase your ability to excel and reach new heights. When self-esteem suffers, you might notice a distance from others, due to a lack of perceived confidence, and a harsher, personal criticism in your head, preventing you from living life to its fullest potential. Here are 11 ways to instantly increase your confidence and to be seen as more attractive to others. You'll totally kick butt and find life to be more desirable, satisfying, and enjoyable with a more positive perspective and eagerness to get out there and be yourself (cause the real you is awesome).

1. Don't Shy Away From The Mirror

"For a month, commit to looking in the mirror every morning, and telling yourself an area of your body that you are proud of or do like. It might be a struggle at first, but you will notice over time that rather than looking at what you dislike about yourself, you appreciate what you do like about yourself," says Tina Muir, Community Manager & Elite Runner at Runners Connect, over email with Bustle. "Maybe you start by saying 'I love that I never have to use hairspray, as my hair has volume' or 'I love that my calves are defined when I wear heels,'" says Muir. "Say them to yourself out loud, and be creative with it," Muir adds.

2. Set A Positive Goal

Over email with Bustle, Elizabeth Ann Shaw, MS, RDN, CLT, says that having a positive goal based on internal motivation can boost confidence when progress is achieved. "When people are more motivated to achieve their goals based on intrinsic factors (improving your health, running a marathon, etc.) rather than extrinsic (like physical appearance) , the habits become more ingrained and easier to accomplish," advises Shaw.

3. Find Some Exercise You Love

Shaw also recommends going to the gym (0r finding another form of exercise you love) more often, as breaking a sweat can increase confidence and perceived attractiveness. "It's amazing the power of physical fitness and moving one's body can have on increasing confidence and feeling like the #bossbabe or #bossman you've always known you were. It's true, exercise releases endorphins, and endorphins make you happy," says Shaw.

4. Get More Greens In Your Day

"Whether you’re looking for energy, immunity or sustenance, our bodies are like machines that function best when getting our nutrition from real whole foods like greens, fruits and veggies. However, in today’s fast pace world eating fresh is not always convenient and convenient foods tend to be more disconnected from nature than ever before," advises Ryan Therriault, Amazing Grass Vice President of Marketing and Innovation over email with Bustle. "A simple solution like adding one scoop of organic powdered greens into a glass of water or your morning smoothie is a simple way to get the nutrition your body needs to help maintain daily overall health and wellness,” says Therriault.

5. Journal Your Accomplishments

"Journaling successes" is a great way to boost confidence on a regular basis by reminding yourself of your accomplishments and progress in meeting your goals, advises Dr. Lisa Ashe, Medical Director of BeWell Medicine, over email with Bustle. "Keep a list of successful ventures and achievements," whether that be work or social related, advises Ashe.

6. Practice Saying No

Ashe recommends practicing saying no, as you can't always please others over yourself. If you don't care of yourself, how can you take care of others in need? While you don't want to always say no (it's important to build meaningful connections for a happier life), it's better to prioritize obligations and go with your gut sometimes, explains Ashe.

7. Stop Comparing Yourself To Others

Ashe warns against comparing yourself to others, as it can make you feel less attractive and well-off than some of your peers, family members, or co-workers. Plus, if you're checking via social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, the happy moments can be deceiving, as it's only a fragment of a life (and we all want to share positive gatherings with others, as opposed to sad times, of course).

8. Get Some Sleep

Ashe recommends getting enough sleep each night in order to keep hormones balanced, mood and energy stable, and confidence high. Additionally, getting adequate sleep (7-9 hours), will lower anxiety and irritability, making you feel more positive and happier, overall.

9. Practice Meditation

Ashe suggests trying meditation as a means to center yourself and enhance personal, feel-good feelings and growth. By meditating, you're connecting your mind body and promoting self-love, advises Ashe. Furthermore, meditation increases confidence and mindfulness in a matter of minutes, and it can be done anywhere.

10. Visualize Your Power

When you're feeling insecure or uncomfortable, take a step back, close your eyes, and use imagery to boost your confidence. By relying on a few standby and simple visualization techniques to increase self-esteem, that are easy to implement mid-day, at the office, at home, or even on a date, you'll immediately feel a push to be yourself, show off your personality, and strut with pride.

If you notice yourself needing an immediate energy and happy boost, look no further than this list for some easy, effective, and empowering tricks to instantly gain confidence and attractiveness. With time, it'll become incredibly natural.

Images: Pixabay (12)