Confidence

The Science of Confidence

What is Confidence?

Confidence means having a realistic, inner sense of our capabilities. Trusting ourselves and our abilities is crucial to managing emotional challenges and succeeding with goals in life. A healthy amount of confidence is essential to mental health and success and improves decision-making and resilience. The key to confidence is self-awareness, to allow ourselves to experience and reflect on even the most unpleasant emotions.

Why Confidence Matters

Self-confidence helps youth resist peer pressure and to say “NO” to engage in risky behavior, including substance use.
Confidence is crucial to well-being, motivation, goal setting, and performance. It allows us to deal with pressure and manage personal and professional challenges.
Confidence drives us forward and gives us hope, trust, and healthy relationships. Youth with healthy friendships often have more self-confidence and are less likely to suffer from mental health issues.
Confidence optimizes decision-making and influences many important aspects of life, including learning and selecting a positive life partner.

Did You Know? Completing activities increases confidence, so the best way to build confidence is to take action, face challenges, and create situations where we can be successful even when we are uncertain.

United Nations

Office on Drugs and Crime

The Science of Confidence

Why Confidence Matters

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