Tag Archives: confidence

Using Psychology to Boost Your Confidence in a Swimsuit

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Bird's-eye perspective of a bustling beach, Praia de Nazaré, Europe, Portugal. ShutterStock ID 2189816843; Order Form: -; Job: -; Client: -; Other: -

Are these vacationers experiencing “seasonal body image dissatisfaction”?

Shutterstock/Puyalroyo

While winter still lingers in the Northern Hemisphere, we’re nearing the summer solstice. The sun overhead signifies one thing: a surge of lifestyle articles and social media posts encouraging you to “get your beach body ready.”

A friend of mine recently shared his anxiety about summer for this exact reason. “I’ve even stopped trying to get a six-pack,” he confessed. “But I feel really self-conscious without my shirt on.”

This conversation piqued my curiosity about whether this sentiment is widespread. I soon discovered several recent studies addressing “Seasonal Body Image Dissatisfaction,” along with strategies to combat it.

Scott Griffith and his team at the University of Melbourne conducted a groundbreaking study involving 823 gay and bisexual men globally. They found that over 70% reported significant physical dissatisfaction during summer, more so than in any other season, attributing it to societal pressures from the media and the increased exposure of their bodies.

These findings align with a recent analysis of 12 million social media posts from 2020 to 2023, revealing that expressions of self-loathing peaked in July, with similar trends noted for December in both hemispheres.

If any of this resonates with you, it may be beneficial to explore research on mindful self-compassion. This concept emphasizes three core aspects: recognizing that one’s struggles are universal, developing a mindful awareness of our experiences, and refraining from getting lost in negative thoughts and emotions.

Personally, I would love to see a rise in “body-neutral movements” on social media. Unlike “body-positive exercise,” which aims to celebrate our flaws, body neutrality prioritizes bodily function over appearance.

Forthcoming research by Raeanna Kilby and Kristin Mickelson of Arizona State University suggests that body neutrality may more effectively decrease self-objectification compared to body positivity. Jameela Jamil advocates for this perspective, stating, “My body is not an advertising board for others. It’s not something for them to judge, nor for me to judge… I focus on enjoying life to the fullest.”

This summer, my goals are centered on health, happiness, and friendships—the true #gains.

David Robson is an award-winning science writer and author of “The Law of Connection: 13 Social Strategies that Change Your Life.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Three simple strategies to improve decision-making and boost confidence

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When you’ve tried to order something online during a work break, like a new electric toothbrush, you likely expected it to be simple. However, the overwhelming number of choices and options may have left you feeling paralyzed by decision making.

There are numerous factors to consider beyond just price and delivery time, such as battery life and advanced features like warning lights for excessive pressure or accompanying apps.

Decision paralysis occurs when the abundance of options and the challenge of weighing them all prevent you from making a choice, especially within a limited time frame.

It was once believed that more choices would benefit consumers, but in reality, it can lead to decision fatigue and drive people away.

In other life situations, the weight of decision making may weigh heavily on you, even if you only have a few options. The fear of choosing wrongly, whether it’s a college, job, or romantic partner, can cause decision paralysis.

Individuals known as “maximizers,” who strive to find the optimal choice, are more prone to decision paralysis compared to “satisfied people” who are content with a good enough decision.

The fear of regret for making a wrong decision can also contribute to decision paralysis, as can the concept of opportunity cost – what you’ll miss out on by choosing a particular path.

There are several ways to overcome decision paralysis: realize that perfect decisions are rare, understand that not deciding is a decision in itself, and simplify the decision-making process by prioritizing important factors and scoring options against them.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Alphabet’s high profits overshadowed by advertising recession, leading to decline in Google investor confidence

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Alphabet shares experienced a more than 5% drop in after-hours trading on Tuesday due to the tech giant’s shortfall in key advertising sectors, despite narrowly surpassing overall revenue estimates for the fourth quarter of 2023.

Google’s parent company disclosed that advertising revenue fell short of forecasts at $65.52 billion compared to $65.8 billion, but the overall revenue exceeded expectations at $86.31 billion versus $85.36 billion. This marked a 13% increase from the previous year.

The chief financial officer of Alphabet described the company’s results as “very strong,” emphasizing the surpassing of overall revenue expectations. “We remain committed to permanently restructuring our cost base while making investments to support growth opportunities,” she stated.

The response to the report was subdued after Google’s parent company laid off 1,000 employees in January. CEO Sundar Pichai announced at the end of the month that the company will refocus on “investing in key priorities,” particularly in the artificial intelligence elements integrated into Google’s flagship products, in 2024, and hinted at further job cuts.

Investors expressed encouragement Analysts believe that the recent job cuts may reflect prudent cost-cutting efforts amidst rising interest rates. However, the impact of the layoffs is evident, with Porat stating that severance pay in the first quarter of 2024 is expected to be $700 million. Alphabet recorded $2.1 billion in severance-related expenses and $1.8 billion in severance-related expenses in 2023, freeing up office space.


Despite the overall advertising downturn, Alphabet announced that YouTube ad revenue reached $9.2 billion, exceeding analysts’ predicted $9.16 billion and a significant increase from the same period in 2022.

CEO Sundar Pichai, in a statement accompanying the earnings call, expressed Alphabet’s pleasure with “the growing contribution from YouTube.” He also highlighted the company’s digital subscription services, including YouTube and cloud storage service Google One, achieving $15 billion annually.

“The significant growth in our subscription revenue over the past few years demonstrates the ability of our team to deliver high value-added services and provides a strong foundation on which to build,” he stated. Ta.

Like many other companies in the technology industry, Alphabet is aiming to take advantage of the AI ​​boom, with the mention of the word “AI” occurring more than 70 times in Tuesday’s earnings call. Pichai outlined the company’s plans to integrate its new AI model Gemini across various products, including search, advertising, and cloud.

Alphabet’s emphasis on AI comes as the company seeks to diversify its revenue streams. Its core search advertising business has stalled, and it faces growing antitrust litigation threats. The US Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Google, alleging a monopoly on digital advertising technology. A judge’s ruling in January confirmed that the company will be forced to stand trial for charges brought by multiple states regarding advertising market dominance. The company also faced an antitrust case last year related to its dealings with other technology companies, including payments to Apple of about $18 billion annually to keep Safari’s default search engine.

“Google could have its toughest year yet as antitrust threats loom and the death knell sounds for third-party cookies,” stated Evelyn Mitchell Wolf, a senior analyst at Insider Intelligence. “We need to prepare ourselves for the possibility that something may happen.”

Source: www.theguardian.com