Being Outdoors Can Boost Confidence

As spring arrives we certainly feel happier here at the Confidence Collaborative.

It means longer and brighter days and less darkness. It means warmer weather, although the warmer weather seems a little elusive at the moment! It also means we can get outdoors and see all the vibrant colours that spring brings. Who doesn't love a beautiful tulip, the ray of sunshine and happiness of a yellow daffodil and the carpet of vivid blue bluebells in the meadows?

So how can we utilise this splendour of colour, warmth and brightness to boost our confidence?

Before we start - what is confidence?

Confidence can be defined as a feeling or belief in oneself and one's abilities. It is a sense of trust and assurance in one's own skills, knowledge, and judgment. Confidence can be demonstrated through one's behavior, body language, and speech. It is often associated with a positive self-image and a sense of self-worth. A person who is confident is typically comfortable with themselves and their abilities, and is often more willing to take risks and try new things.

Confidence can be learnt and developed over time and with practice.

So how can being outdoors help us to improve our belief in ourselves?

Spending time outdoors in warmer weather and longer days can have a positive impact on our mood and overall sense of well-being, which can in turn help boost our confidence. Here are a few ways to use the outdoors to boost your confidence:

1. Exercise outdoors: Exercise has been shown to have a positive impact on our mood and self-esteem. Take advantage of the warmer weather and longer days by taking your exercise routine outside. Go for a jog, bike ride, or hike in nature. This can help you feel more energised and confident.
2. Practice mindfulness: Spending time outdoors can be a great opportunity to practice mindfulness. Try going for a walk or hike and focus on being present in the moment. Take in the sights, sounds, and smells around you. This can help you feel more grounded and confident in yourself. It can also help you to identify experiences, environments, colours and skills that you enjoy doing.
3. Try something new: Use the warmer weather and longer days to try something new that you've been wanting to do. This can be a new outdoor activity like kayaking, paddleboarding, or rock climbing, or it can be trying a new hobby like gardening or painting. Trying something new can help you feel more confident in your ability to learn and grow.
4. Spend time with friends who lift your spirits and inspire you: Spending time with supportive friends can also help boost your confidence. Plan a picnic, BBQ, or outdoor activity with friends and enjoy the warmer weather together. Surrounding yourself with positive people can help you feel more confident and supported.
5. Take a break: Finally, sometimes just taking a break and enjoying the outdoors can be enough to boost our confidence. Find a quiet spot outside and simply sit and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. Taking time for yourself can help you feel more centered and confident in who you are.
6. Take in the colour of spring: Color therapy, also known as chromotherapy, is a complementary therapy that uses colors to help promote healing, balance, and overall well-being. It is based on the idea that different colors have different energetic properties that can affect our emotions, moods, and physical health. So which colours are you drawn to when you are outside? How can you use them in your day to day life to boost your mood and concentration?

There are defintely opportunities to explore outside that can help us to support building our confidence. So what are you waiting for?

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Best Wishes

Joanne and Maggie