By Katrina Jansen-Buciuni, Staff writer & photo editor
Ever had the rush to try something you’ve never done before, but then ended up backing out because you’ve become too scared? By trying something new while being scared it can actually build up your confidence level.
Why? Well psychologists now believe risk-taking, failure and perseverance are critical components of developing self-confidence. It’s proven that when your brain physically experiences something new, such as thought patterns and different behaviors, you will start to look at new challenges differently because you become exposed to new situations.
In return, they can react to challenging situations more confidently. Confidence can be described as a
belief in one’s ability to succeed. Too much of it and a person can come o cocky and hard-headed which can lead to troubling situations, too little of it and a person may fear taking risks and trying new opportunities — in school, work and a social life.
Every seven out of 10 girls you meet believe that they are not good enough or don’t measure up in some way, including their looks, performance in school and relationships with friends and family members. ese perceptions have been increasing in today’s society. Our actions speak a lot louder than our words. Take that into consideration the next time you compliment someone.
Teens think girls struggle with lack of con dence, but boys are also self-conscious about their body image. It’s not as noticeable as girls, but accord- ing to Raymond Lemberg, a clinical psychologist in Prescott, Arizona, and expert on male eating disorders, males are anxious about achieving a desirable physique too. Lemberg reports in his study published with the National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health that one in every four eating disorder cases now occur in men.
Eating disorders appear di erently for each gen- der. Girls most commonly want to be thinner, while boys wish to build muscle and achieve a body type
Photo by Katrina Jansen-Buciuni projected in the media. Social media and famous people in the media have a big impact on this issue as teens look to celebrities, models, and famous athletes wondering why they don’t look the same as them. A teen consumes seven hours of media a day.
Being con dent won’t happen overnight, it’s a mental process. It takes time for confidence to start to take e ect in your life and to come to the realization that you’re good enough. It’s not an easy process, but once achieved, the feeling of being con dent is something unforgettable.