Introduction
In this fast-paced world, confidence really is the key to both personal and professional success. But with our hectic lives and endless social media updates, it’s no wonder many of us suffer from an acute case of ‘not enough’. Feeling confident, self-assured, and secure comes naturally to some. But for those of us who struggle with insecurity, there is at least one easy and effective path to greater confidence – meditation. An ancient Mindfulness technique, meditation helps calm the mind, increase self-awareness and instill a sense of inner peace.
The Connection Between Meditation and Confidence
Meditation can bring attention to negative thoughts and allows you to choose to let them go, more easily. Beginning in the positive helps your brain generate more positive thinking, easing low self esteem. Within a few weeks, you can train your brain to consistently maximise positive thinking. Meditation quiets the mind, reducing stress, which is often the underlying cause of low self esteem. Focusing on the moment, rather than on self-critical thoughts, begins to shape a more positive, stronger sense of self.
How Meditation Builds Confidence
1. Reduces Negative Self-Talk
Dysfunctional self-talk can be an obstacle to confidence, and meditation will help you notice this kind of thinking and how to replace it with positive affirmations.
2. Enhances Self-Awareness
By practising meditation, you start to learn more about your true strengths and weaknesses. Once you delve into them more, through self-awareness, you are more willing to embrace the authentic you, and thus, be truly confident.
3. Promotes Relaxation and Reduces Anxiety
Anxiety and stress are known to reduce confidence. Meditation can help to encourage relaxation as it stimulates the relaxation response in the body, carrying with it the benefit of reducing anxiety, and creating a calm and confident mind.
Types of Meditation for Confidence
1. Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness involves the practice of paying attention to the here and now without evaluating your feelings or thoughts. This can in turn help you to be aware of your sense of self-doubt or other feelings, and let go of self-doubt – then, you start on the road to self-confidence.
2. Loving-Kindness Meditation
And in loving-kindness meditation in particular, you can address the lack of loving, kind self-compassion by using the practice to reflect it towards yourself, and in the process, develop a long-term sense of self-worth and self-acceptance that you can then extend to others, too.
3. Guided Visualization
Guided visualisation is the act of ‘seeing’ yourself achieving your goals, of instilling a confidence lies within you.
How to Start a Meditation Practice
1. Set Aside Time
Do this in any quiet space for 10-15 minutes every day (consistency is key).
2. Focus on Your Breath
Just check in with your breath, from time to time: become aware of the air moving into your nostrils when you inhale, and then out your mouth when you exhale. Nothing intense or extreme, but just calm your mind while you’re reading.
3. Observe Your Thoughts
Just notice what your mind is doing without judgment, then take it back to the breath or the positive affirmation you have selected. If you notice yourself falling into negative self-talk, simply notice what your mind is doing without judgment, then take it back to the breath or whatever your positive affirmation is.
Conclusion
Your confidence will definitely grow if you try meditation. Reducing stress and self-loathing by overcoming negative self-talk, improving self-awareness, and inducing a state of serenity slowly builds your confidence. Improve your confidence through meditation today!