Five Things That will Sap Your Self-Confidence

Your self-confidence is a tenuous thing. One minute you are on top of the world, and the next, you feel like a walking pile of garbage. You may not realize that the little, everyday things of life can affect your self-confidence in a big way. Although many factors can influence your self-confidence, here are what I believe could be the top five things that can negatively impact your confidence.

Not Eating and Drinking Properly
When it comes to our moods, research has shown that we are what we eat. A diet that is packed with nutrients can help to reduce any anxiety that we are feeling, boost our mood, and help you feel more confident. If your diet is currently loaded with sugar and caffeine, you will experience severe mood swings and energy spikes that can lead to a dip in how you feel about yourself. ​

Your Body Language
Social psychologists believe that if you lack self-confidence, you should fake it until you become it. If you are having trouble with your self-confidence, take a look at your body language. If you see that you are slouching, slumping, or standing in a stooped position, this can tell other people that you have a lowered self-confidence. In other words, the way you hold yourself is often a definite reflection of what's going on inside your head. Studies have shown that our body language often reflect and can frequently affect how we feel about ourselves. Watch yourself in a mirror. What do you see? Are you happy with that? Be aware that this could hurt your self-esteem.

Fear
Fear has the power to completely stop you in your tracks or make your dreams a reality. Fear is nothing more than "False Evidence Appearing Real." In other words, when you are working toward your goal, you may find that your mind is providing you with false evidence that you may think is real but can quickly throw you off course. It is essential that you acknowledge this fear and what it can do to you. Recognize that your fears can keep you from accomplishing your goals. Don't let them. Look at your fears in a rational way. Are they real? If they are, then do something about what it is you're afraid of. Stand up for yourself.

Your Inner Voice
Your inner voice is extremely powerful. However, you can choose to listen to it, ignore it, or give it a different narrative. Because the subconscious isn't able to distinguish fact from fiction, when your inner voice tells you that you can't do something, you will often believe it. But, you don't need to allow your inner voice to influence you from your goals. Ask yourself, "Is my thinking leading me to success, or is it stopping me in my tracks?" Don't allow irrational thinking (that inner negative voice) stop you from achieving your goals.

Stress and Pressure
Our natural fight or flight mechanism automatically kicks in when we are under pressure or feel stressed out. When our survival is actually threatened, this mechanism is excellent. However, if this response kicks in because you are worried about things like money, work, or family, the adrenalin and cortisol running through your system can eventually make you sick. Face the realities of your bodily functions. Literally, if you change your thinking you can actually change the way you feel. Think happy and positive thoughts and your body will respond by being more relaxed and contented.

Building and maintaining your confidence is a process that takes time and effort. Learning the factors that can affect your confidence will allow you to take action to keep your confidence from taking a hit.