Confidence is a skill rather than an inherent personality trait. You are taught this trait from an early age, and you forget it just as easily as you’ve learned it, throughout your life journey. A lack of confidence plagues men and women around the world equally, forcing them to concoct an image vastly different from who they actually are, clouding their sense of self-worth and making it difficult to lead a prosperous and healthy lifestyle.

You can overcome and break this vicious cycle of self-doubt and create an image that you will admire by following these five simple and powerful steps for achieving a positive self-image.

Mind your complexion

In general, flaky, patchy, or bad skin is one of the biggest culprits in creating a negative mindset. Nurturing your complexion by sticking to a strict morning and evening skincare regimen is the first step you need to take in order to boost your confidence.

Start your skin transformation process by drinking more water on a daily basis to purify and detoxify your body. Only then, you can pay a visit to your dermatologist to get rid of blackheads and other irregularities.

Start exercising

Want to experience a surge of overwhelming confidence like never before? Then get your blood pumping and your muscles working with regular exercise. Among its numerous health benefits, such as fat loss, blood pressure regulation and cardiovascular health, physical exercise improves your mood and encourages positivity by producing a hormone called dopamine. This “happy hormone” plays a pivotal role in shaping your perception of the world around you as well as yourself, along with the inherent benefit of working out – gaining a toned physique and increased strength.

Flash those pearly whites

Nothing speaks confidence to the outside world like a ravishing smile. In case you haven’t introduced a strict oral hygiene routine in your life, it is time you did. Not only is oral hygiene crucial for the aesthetic appeal of your teeth but it is also important for keeping serious illnesses at bay, such as atherosclerosis and endocarditis.

Moreover, an ever-growing number of Australians are more and more focused on the shape, position, and color of their teeth. They are quite diligent when it comes to regular visits to the dentist’s, as they understand the importance of a dazzling smile. Led by their example, you should consult an orthodontist to find out whether you need to wear braces or have any minor adjustments to improve your self-image and flash your own set of pearly whites with confidence!

Knowledge is power

While taking care of your outward appearance is vital, you should be simultaneously focusing your attention towards building your confidence from within. There are a few things in life that are as discouraging as being unable to follow or participate in an intellectual conversation among friends, family, and colleagues.

In order to become a strong orator and portray an image of intellectual worth and prowess, you need to start exercising your brain daily. This means reading more than you ever have, and educating yourself on a wide variety of topics ranging from culture and arts to politics, science, and history.

Gaze at your reflection

Finally, you want to look at yourself in the mirror daily, especially on a bad day. Single out and repeat all your strengths and positive aspects of your personality and appearance, while constantly searching for new things that make you a better person.

Start with your eyes, your hair, and your skin. Gaze at your reflection and become aware of their beauty and move onto other body parts, following your lines and curves, pinpointing what you want to improve, while being proud of what you have achieved so far. Complete the process by repeating your own mantra in the mirror, imbued with positivity, serenity, and happiness.

Confidence is easy to wish for, yet it takes hard work, dedication and perseverance to build it up from scratch and let it take over your mind and soul. Follow these five effective steps and you will be able to bring out the self-confidence you never knew existed, but always dreamed of bringing to life!