20 Triggers Of Women’s Low Self-Confidence And 20 Ways To Boost It
A study of women’s confidence commissioned by vitamins, minerals and health supplements firm Healthspan was announced this week. The study was reported in the press below:
The research of 2,000 females aged 50 and above found levels of confidence are low among one in 10.
The results suggested that a lack of confidence and self-esteem is causing women over 50 to feel depressed, anxious and even ‘trapped’.
Researchers identified the triggers which cause this negative impact on confidence as weight gain (27 per cent), a feeling of isolation (23 per cent) and a loss of libido (18 per cent).
Worryingly, a lack of confidence has prevented a quarter from socialising with their friends, held 22 per cent back in their career and had a negative effect on family life among nine per cent.
It also emerged the menopause is a huge trigger on a woman’s confidence levels with 29 per cent saying the impact of ‘the change’ is under-rated.
A third even went as far as to say they no longer feel like the person they once were.
Dr Meg Arroll, a psychologist specialising in health who works with Healthspan, said: “This survey has highlighted the degree to which women’s confidence and mental health can be affected by getting older – and our ageist society has played a role here.
“The more we discuss this openly, the more we can protect women’s mental health as nearly 30 per cent of the survey respondents said they felt the impact of the peri-menopause and the menopause was under-rated.
“However, we must also celebrate age and experience, as over a third of the women stated that they felt comfortable in their own skin, with more saying that they believed confidence was highest during their 50s than any other decade.
“Therefore, it’s important to both tackle the underlying triggers for confidence drains, whilst focusing on the areas that make women in midlife unstoppable.”
The study found poor memory recall, not feeling as fit as you once were and going through the menopause are among the triggers most likely to affect a woman’s confidence. With four in 10 said hot flushes at work have also had a negative impact on their confidence.
But it’s not all doom and gloom, with being of an age where you feel comfortable in your own skin named as the biggest confidence booster, along with a ‘killer’ outfit and hearing the words ‘I love you’.
Other confidence boosters revealed in the survey carried out via OnePoll, include taking part in hobbies, being self-sufficient and spending time with friends.
TOP 20 CONFIDENCE BLOWS FOR WOMEN OVER 50…
- Feeling less fit than you once were
- Having a bad night’s sleep
- Feeling tired generally
- Forgetting things that you once easily remembered
- Inability to lose weight no matter how hard you try
- Having to buy an item of clothing a size bigger than usual
- Experiencing a bad hair day
- Someone thinking you are older than you are
- Feeling like you have inferior knowledge to the person you are speaking to
- Hitting the menopause
- Waking up with bad skin
- Experiencing brain fog at work
- Not being invited to a social gathering with friends
- Having sweat patches that show through your clothes
- Having a hot flush at work
- Finding a grey hair
- Realising that you are the oldest in your team at work
- Finding cellulite
- Seeing your partner look at younger women
- Someone asks if you are pregnant and you are not
TOP 20 CONFIDENCE BOOSTERS FOR WOMEN OVER 50…
- Feeling comfortable in your own skin
- Feeling positive about your weight
- Wearing an outfit that is flattering in all the right places
- Being told ‘I love you’
- Receiving a compliment from someone you know
- Waking up feeling refreshed from a good night’s sleep
- Spending time in nature
- Spending time with your close friends
- Receiving a compliment from a stranger
- Receiving a compliment about your youthful looks
- Having perfectly styled hair
- Working on your hobbies
- The feeling of being self-sufficient
- Receiving a smile from a stranger
- Returning from holiday and feeling great
- The feeling of having good knowledge of a subject
- Being good at your job
- Being complimented on a new outfit
- Feeling like a valued member of your community
- Wearing a full face of make up
Do any of the blows or boosters resonate with you?
If you’d like to discuss your personal confidence challenges, then do book a free Discovery Call with me at www.speakwithjo.com
Jo x