Placing Hands on Hips Can Boost Confidence, Says Psychologist

Dream - Self-confidence is one of the most important traits for everyone. However, not everyone is fortunate enough to have it.

Many people still struggle to feel confident. This can be caused by parenting styles or past experiences.

However, self-confidence can be built by doing certain things regularly. Here are some tips to boost self-confidence from Clinical Psychologist, Dessy Ilsanty.

1. Self-Reflection

Photo: Cynthia Amanda Male

The first thing to do is to introspect, recognize, and evaluate yourself. Identify your strengths and weaknesses.

"Slowly acknowledge your own strengths. Doing so does not mean being arrogant. Because we acknowledge it to ourselves and do not compare ourselves to others. So, recognize your potential and dare to express it," said Dessy during the launch of Royale Parfum Series by SoKlin Hijab Blue Sapphire at The Terrace, Senayan, South Jakarta, on Tuesday, January 24, 2023.

After acknowledging and affirming your strengths, accept your weaknesses. Weaknesses do not have to be covered up or eliminated. Find ways to turn your weaknesses into strengths or other benefits.

"For example, if you're not good at cooking. Maybe, you can sew or develop other skills," she said.

2. Relying on the Five Senses to Stimulate Self-Confidence

Stimulate the five senses to feel better and more confident. "Self-confidence is about mindset. While mentality is abstract and physicality is more tangible and can be felt. So, we rely on what is more tangible, which is through the five senses to stimulate feelings."

You can consume healthy food, use fragrances, look at beautiful scenery or pictures, or touch soft clothes to feel better and more confident.

Similarly, when you have to appear at an event, wear clothes that suit the theme of the event, your body shape, and your personal style to feel more confident.

Wear fragrances that suit your taste and use makeup if you want to look more attractive.

3. Doing Power Posing

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Lastly, do power posing. Stimulating feelings can also be done by performing certain movements or poses.

Power posing itself can be a solution to make you more enthusiastic and confident. This is done by slightly lifting the chin, straightening the body, and placing hands on the hips like the Superman pose.

"This power is actually to show strength. Our body appears ready for whatever is faced," added Dessy.

This movement can influence thinking. Because body movements are controlled by the brain. So when the mindset is formed, the brain will find it easier to instruct the body to act according to its desires.

You can do power posing when you feel less confident or unmotivated. This way, you will become more positive.