Need a confidence boost? From looking the part to doing the inner work, we’ve got 5 tips that will leave your self-doubt in the dust.
Ditch the slouch, speak slower and maintain eye contact. Sound familiar? These are tried-and-tested tips you’ve probably chanced upon when looking up ways to boost your confidence. While they may work as one-off fixes, we all know confidence is a constant work in progress. Not to worry, because we’ve sieved through all the popular advice from gurus online and narrowed down to five tips that have worked best for us. Ready to kick self-doubt to the curb? Here’s our cheat sheet for becoming a more confident version of yourself.
1. Start prioritising your health
True confidence comes from feeling good in your skin – and leading a healthy lifestyle (both physically and mentally) will do wonders for your self-esteem. If most of your days are spent sedentary in front of your laptop or in bed, it’s time to switch things up. Now, we don’t mean hitting the gym six times a week or committing to a diet of chicken breast and veggies. It’s less about major lifestyle overhauls, and instead, more about small, consistent steps to intentionally incorporate healthier changes to your daily routine.
Start with something as small as a 10-minute walk each day, or choose to take the stairs over the lift. Pay attention to what you eat and how they make you feel. Carb-heavy meals making you sluggish after lunch? Try adding more proteins and veggies to the mix. Or, it can also be setting time away from technology – yup, that means no more late-night doom-scrolling on TikTok. Find what works for you, and you’ll see how taking care of your body and mind will ripple through your confidence.
2. Radiate confidence with your smile
A large part of confidence is working on self-esteem from the inside out, but having a radiant smile can go a long way. Yes, it’s backed by science. Neurologists have found that a smile actually spurs a chemical reaction in the brain, releasing hormones like dopamine (the happiness hormone!) and serotonin (associated with reduced stress). It’s all about convincing your brain that you’re happy, which leads to greater satisfaction and self-assurance.
If you’re looking to gain confidence in your smile, we’ve got just the tool that will give you a beautiful smile: Colgate Optic White Purple whitening toothpaste. This whitening toothpaste gives your gnashers a radiant boost – use it anytime you’re looking for a brighter smile!
Fun fact: did you know that this whitening toothpaste was inspired by colour theory? Based on how yellow and purple are complementary colours that sit on opposite ends of the colour wheel, the unique purple paste instantly neutralises and corrects yellow tones on the tooth’s surface. Think purple shampoos and makeup correctors that neutralise brassiness and dullness – it works similarly!
Coupled with Colgate’s high-cleaning silica (or hydrated silica) formula, this toothpaste is said to reduce teeth surface stains after a week of usage, giving you a brighter smile. Have sensitive gnashers? Fret not, the formula is safe for enamel and everyday use. Add the Colgate Optic White Purple whitening toothpaste to your daily oral beauty routine and you’ll be rocking your way to a more confident smile in no time. Take it from us, maintaining a healthy smile is one of the best tips to make you seem more confident and approachable!
3. Craft your signature style
Another surefire way to feel good instantly? Donning an outfit that you love and makes you feel good. And trust us, having a signature style that embodies your personality will make dressing up a breeze. For a start, get to know your body type (think pear, apple or hourglass) and figure out which types of clothing flatter you best. Or, try drawing style inspiration from fashion icons and celebrities. If all else fails, hiring a personal stylist could be a worthy investment in the long run.
4. Step outside of your comfort zone
Staying in your comfort zone may feel good and safe. But here’s the scoop: saying yes to new experiences and challenges will push you to grow as a person. Why? ‘Cos you’ll find yourself confronting fears, pushing past limits, and acquiring new skills – which will all boost your confidence. Whether it’s signing up for a dance class or saying yes to that party, find ways to gradually expand that bubble you’ve grown too familiar with. Perhaps this is our sign to finally go on that solo trip!
5. Choose your crew wisely
As American motivational speaker Jim Rohn says: you’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Like it or not, your crew plays a role in who you are. Think about the people who surround you. How do they affect your thinking and lifestyle? Do they uplift you? Are you able to be your most authentic self around them? As a rule of thumb, consider whether their core values align with yours. You want to build a tribe that can mutually uplift one another and let you step into a more confident version of yourself.
Confidence, here we come!
Whether it’s doing the inner work or looking the part, stepping into your confidence starts with practice, taking baby steps and showering yourself with self-love. Plus, remember to always celebrate the small wins, even if it’s just boosting your mood with a radiant smile.
For those looking to brighten your smile, count on Colgate Optic White Purple toothpaste to do the job. You’ll be saying goodbye to yellow tones and hello to a brighter smile. Snag this confidence booster on Shopee, Lazada, FairPrice, Guardian and Watsons today!
This post is in partnership with Colgate.