Q: Are stress and confidence related?
When thinking about stress and confidence, consider this, if you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed how confident do you feel? Or conversely, and maybe an easier way to see the correlation, if you are feeling confident about something, such as speaking to an audience, completing an assignment, or trying something new, you will likely feel less stressed. That being said, focusing on your confidence may, in fact, be one tool in your toolbox for stress management techniques.
What are some things you can do to improve your self-confidence?
Practice. If you are going into a competition or a match, if you are not prepared you are likely to be more stressed. However, most athletes practice over and over until they feel confident that they can beat their opponent(s). The same can be applied to a task at work, getting up the courage to talk to new people, or performing a skill. The more you practice, the more confident you become and the less stress you will experience when you are presented with the same or a similar challenge in the future.
Positive self-talk. The way you perceive the world around you creates your reality. Your perception can also increase or decrease your level of stress. Likewise, how you talk about others, your circumstances and yourself can also have a significant influence on your stress level. Your subconscious mind is easily influenced by the words you say. Negative self-talk often leads to a self-fulfilling prophecy. Therefore, practice self-talk. Remind yourself that you have been in a challenging situation before and you have overcome it. Focus on your strengths.
Goal Setting. Setting and achieving goals is a great way to improve your self-confidence. Break a task or dream into achievable step-by-step goals. The more you achieve, the more you confident you will feel. You will likely also feel less stress because you will be making progress towards your desires.
Try new things. As you get out of your comfort zone and prove that you are capable of doing more you will develop greater self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is the belief in our own abilities, particularly our ability to meet any challenges we are faced with and completing tasks successfully.
The Power Pose. In only 120 seconds you can increase testosterone, lower cortisol, boost your confidence and reduce your stress levels. Sounds too good to be true right? Stand with your hands on your hips, lift your chin and stick your chest out for 120 seconds. Embody the confident woman that you are, believing that you are ready to take on anything that is thrown at you today. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.. Boom. To learn more, check out the research presented from Amy Cuddy. Let’s do this.
The responses to a poll that I posed on Instagram a couple of weeks ago were mixed. I asked if stress and confidence were related. I can definitively tell you they are. If you don’t think you perform better and feel less stressed when you are confident, evaluate the emotions that come up for you the next time you are preparing for a big presentation at work, going into an important interview or are signing up for your next competition. If you can implement some strategies to boost your confidence, you will not only benefit in multiple areas in your life, you will also greatly reduce your level of stress.