MORE CONFIDENCE IN 24 HOURS

Don’t let low self-esteem suck the fun out of your summer. Being braver is easier than you think

Confidence issues can really get in the way of enjoying life. And at this time of year, there seems to be even more challenges than usual as we go beyond our comfort zones in search of some much-needed R&R. Feel like it's got worse with age? You're not alone. Many women struggle with 'Invisible Woman Syndrome' as they get older. This is when you feel overlooked, undervalued or ignored by others,' says confidence coach and therapist Dionne Ruddock.* 'Over time, it can have a negative impact on confidence levels and self-esteem and, if not addressed, can then lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, which further impacts your mental wellbeing.'

Stop the spiral and reclaim your summer with these simple strategies. We promise you'll feel better by tomorrow!

SMILE MORE

From the outside, a smiling, happy-go-lucky person appears confident and at ease, but grinning can work wonders on the inside too. Researchers for an American study put people through a series of activities that were designed to be stressful. Those who smiled throughout, even if it wasn’t genuine (chopsticks were used to engage the same muscles), had lower heart rates and lower self-reported levels of stress.
DO IT The next time you’re nervous about walking into a room, grin and make the experience more positive.

How self-assured are you?

Assess your self-worth…

1 Would you happily wear swimwear in front of your family?
YES/NO