How to Re-boost Your Confidence When Things Are Getting Difficult

A positive attitude is a spiritual and emotional condition of mind that focuses on the bright side of life and expects positive outcomes. Developing and keeping positive thinking includes more than just having pleasant thoughts. It is the expectation of good things (i.e. happiness, health, and success) and it is the idea that all the bad situations, obstacles, and difficulties will work out favorably in the end.

Optimism does not include ignoring negativity. It is the realization of the negative but also the choice to focus on the positive. At its root, it is just the belief that in spite of the current circumstances, things are going to be good in the end. A positive mind comes from a heart filled with faith.

Here are 20 ways to re-boost your confidence when things are getting difficult:

Remaining positive can be hard. Optimism sees obstacles in the eye and consciously decides to look past them and believe in positivity. The problem appears when the obstacles begin to obstruct optimism’s perspective. Positivity can begin to fade when you are constantly forced to face negativity, failures, disappointment and heartbreak. Each challenge we face can steal our energy, resilience and a little bit of our confidence. When your positive resources (energy, resilience, and faith) are drained, pessimism gradually starts to take hold. Here is a useful list of 20 things you can do to help re-boost your confidence:

1. Appreciate nature

Research proves that reveling in the great outdoors boosts human health. Spending time in quiet natural environments has been scientifically proven to reduce anxiety levels, improve working memory and provide a sense of rejuvenation¹.

2. Be kind

Discovering ways to make other people smile affects you just as much as it affects them. It can take the focus off of you and your challenges and lets you be a positive force in the lives of others. Being kind to others makes you also feel good. It lifts your mood, improves your confidence and self-worth, and it serves as a small distraction from your current problems.

3. Become more grateful

Understanding and appreciating the good things in our lives is a perfect way to lift your spirits and provide yourself a spiritual boost².

4. Take a spiritual break

Exhaustion is the silent killer of positivity. You should learn to take breaks when things get overwhelming³. Do something that lets your mind relax and forget whatever problem you are facing–and that could just mean taking a nap.

5. Laugh

Laughter is really the best medicine for most of what troubles us⁴. Laughter boosts your immune system, improve your mood, reduces pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of anxiety. Discover a way to laugh more frequently. Watch a comedy, spend the afternoon with your cheerful friend who knows how to be funny. Host a game night with your mates. Find more reasons to laugh.

6. Hang out with positive people

Research proves that anxiety is contagious⁵ — and the more you surround yourself with stress, the more likely you are to allow it to damage your soul. In the same way that stress and anxiety are contagious so is happiness and cheerfulness⁶. The bottom line here is that our behavior and thought patterns reflect those we hang out with. Select carefully whom you allow into your friends' circle.

7. Search for the silver lining asap

Trying to force optimistic thinking amidst sentimental turmoil usually doesn't work that well. Nevertheless, learning to search for the lesson and find the bright side not only eases the burden a bit but it can also gradually transform your entire thought process.

8. Take deep breaths

Breathing exercises can help expel toxic air from your body and refill your brain7.

9. Don't let yourself drown in negativity

Avoid dwelling on downers… downers can only bring you down! Focusing on negatives isn’t just undesirable, it also can make you less effective in your everyday tasks. Negativity causes more negativity. Bad things will happen. You just have to try not to replay them over and over in your head.

10. Engage in positive self-talk

Speak to yourself. Tell yourself tables will turn and things will work out in the end. Say it out loud, in front of the mirror. Saying what you believe out loud reinforces and boosts the message. You say it, hear it and believe it simultaneously⁸.

11. Talk it out with a friend

Find one or more positive friend(s) to talk to. Talking helps you listen to your problem, admit and communicate your emotions, and it offers you a second set of eyes and ears working on the situation. You may discover that brainstorming with another person or even a group of friends will help you find new ideas to help you resolve the issue. It also reassures you that somebody has your back and that emotional support can make a difference. Think of it as free psychotherapy⁹.

12. Take a walk regularly

Scientists have discovered that one of the best ways to chase the bad mood away is by taking a walk¹⁰. A brief walk can calm you down by sparking nerve cells in the brain that relax the senses.

13. Exercise

Getting sweaty is not just beneficial for your heart–it’s also good for your brain! Research on stress, depression, and exercise proves that the psychological and physical benefits of exercise help reduce stress and elevates your mood¹¹. When you engage in a vigorous physical activity, then some “feel good” brain chemicals (neurotransmitters, endorphins, and endocannabinoids) are released that ease emotions of negativity, distract you from your problems, and physically relax you.

14. Sleep more

Proper rest is a crucial part of maintaining a positive way of thinking. Studies have proven that even partial sleep deprivation has an important effect on your mental state. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania¹² found that subjects who were limited to less than 5 hours of sleep per night for 1 week felt notably more anxious, angry, sad, and mentally exhausted. It’s too difficult to maintain a positive attitude under those conditions, so try to sleep more.

15. Keep a journal

Journaling is a clever way to deal with overwhelming feelings. It provides a healthy way in which you can express yourself and manage your feelings and overall mental health. Keeping a journal can help you discover and understand the source of negative thoughts and develop a mitigation plan¹³.

16. Take a rest

Taking the occasional break from the daily routine is fun, liberating and necessary. Find what makes you feel alive and cheerful and do that. Whether it's watching Netflix in your pajamas all day or if it’s kayaking down a river, the purpose is to have fun – whatever that means to you¹⁴.

17. Treat yourself

Rewarding yourself with some time just for you and celebrating who you are as a person is crucial to keeping a positive attitude. Discover small, meaningful and healthy ways to enjoy yourself from time to time¹⁵.

18. Live mindfully

Living mindfully includes consciously deciding to be absolutely present in each moment. If you live every moment to its fullest, then there will be no space for negative thoughts or worrying¹⁶.

19. Take care of yourself spiritually

Paying attention to and devoting in yourself spiritually is something most people overlook. However, part of maintaining good mental health is soul care. Take the time to feed your soul and keep the connection among your brain, body, and soul powerful by engaging in soul enhancing and contemplative activities such as meditation¹⁷.

20. Celebrate small victories

This is one of the best ways to get rid of negativity. Instead of focusing on what you call losses–actively seek out and celebrate the things you did get right today.

Here are 20 powerful quotes to help you re-boost your confidence and faith:

10 positive Facebook groups that are worth checking out:

1. Positive Energy+

2. Think Positive to Make Things Positive

3. Power of Positivity

4. Positive Thoughts

5. Let’s Be Positive

6. Positive Vibes

7. Inspiration

8. Positivity Inspires

9. Think Positive Power

10. Success Motivation

REFERENCES

[1] Science Direct: The influence of urban green environments on stress relief measures: A field experiment
[2] Forbes: 7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude That Will Motivate You to Give Thanks Year Round
[3] Huffington Post: 6 Very Good Reasons To Take A Mental Health Day
[4] HelpGuide.org: Laughter is the best medicine
[5] Time: Science Says Stress is Contagious
[6] NPR.Org: Happiness: It really is contagious
[7] Live Strong: Benefits of Deep Breathing
[8] Reach Out: What Is Self Talk?
[9] Psychology Today: Talk About Your Problems, Please
[10] Daily Mail: It’s official – you CAN walk away stress: Scientists discover how a stroll can soothe the brain
[11] Mayo Clinic: Depression and anxiety: Exercise eases symptoms
[12] Harvard Medical School: Sleep and Mood
[13] Health Encyclopedia: Journaling for Mental Health
[14] Mindbodygreen: Playing Hookie Is Good for Your Soul: 4 Ways to Do It Like a Pro
[15] The Frugal Feminista: Why It’s Important to Treat Yourself Regularly
[16] Mindful: How to Practice Mindfulness Throughout Your Work Day
[17] University of Minnesota: Why is spirituality so important

Based on Lifehack