50 THE QUEENS COURIER • HEALTH • DECEMBER 7, 2017 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
health
Instant confi dence: 5 easy
ways to boost your self-image
Feeling good about yourself these days?
If so, you’re ahead of the game, since a
recent study shows your perception of
your own image has a profound eff ect
on how you present yourself to the rest
of the world.
Th ose fi ndings could be empowering
in light of the fact that even small changes
to your self-care routine can signifi -
cantly boost your self-confi dence.
Th e study by researchers at the
Stanford Graduate School of Business
found those who believe in their own
attractiveness view themselves as having
higher social status. “Th e fi nding that
your assessment of yourself shapes your
view of yourself and others puts power
into your hands,” the authors note.
Want to give yourself some instant
confi dence? Consider how these science
based suggestions may help you
put your best foot forward when dealing
with everything life throws your way.
• Get moving. Regardless of your fi tness
goals (or lack thereof), the fact
is you’re likely to feel better physically,
emotionally and mentally aft er you
exercise. Research also shows it can
improve your self-esteem.
• Ramp up your smile. Scientists say
our brains are zapped with an instant
mood boost when we smile, and that
boost is reinforced when others smile
back. Further, whiter teeth can have
a direct eff ect on our social and professional
interactions, and they’re
now easy to achieve through consumer
brands like Rembrandt’s 1 Week
Whitening Kit that can achieve professional
level results at home within
a week. In study results transcending
gender, age, income, education,
employment and marital status, 58
percent of participants were more likely
to be hired aft er whitening their
teeth, while 53 percent received higher
salary off ers. Sixty-one percent were
deemed more confi dent, and 54 percent
generated more interest from others
in terms of further interactions or
dating.
• Let your body language communicate
self-respect. Keeping your shoulders
pulled back and your body straight
and tall communicates confi dence to
your brain, one study confi rms. Other
research found the most empowering
stance is one in which your arms
are held slightly away from your torso,
your body is open and your head is up.
• Optimize color in your clothing. Th e
right shade may light up your entire
face and have a surprising impact on
your mood. “Choosing the color of
your offi ce, your clothes or your desktop
should not be taken lightly - colors
do aff ect our moods and productivity,”
states a recent article on
Scienceofpeople.com. “When given
the choice, picking a color that will
work with you and not against you can
only help.”
• Wear scent strategically. Because our
brains link certain smells to positive
experiences, research suggests we may
be able to ramp up our confi dence with
scents that remind us of happy times.
Th at’s why aromatherapy can help
alleviate anxiety, depression and sleeplessness,
and improve quality of life for
those with chronic health issues, confi
rms Mayo Clinic.
Bottom line: When you’re taking care
of yourself and projecting your best
self, you’re far more likely to project the
confi dence you need to deal eff ectively
with life.
“Confi dence can make or break a
lot of things,” advises Lecia Bushak on
Medicaldaily.com. “In our extrovert-centric
society, confi dence can get you a job,
a girlfriend, and the courage to say no to
people or situations that are toxic to you.
Confi dence is knowing yourself and taking
care of yourself, too.”
Courtesy BPT