“If you’re tired of holding your breath just to get through the day, this is for you,” says Executive Career Coach, Charlotte Worth.

Let’s be honest stress is a part of life.

Whether it’s deadlines, decisions, or just juggling everything at once, we all feel it. And when stress piles up, confidence can take a hit, but actually confidence can also be part of the solution. What if managing stress started by turning inwards – not to overthink, but to tune in?

When we feel confident, we’re less likely to spiral when things get tough. Research shows that people with healthy self esteem are better at handling stress, and that our belief in our ability to cope, what psychologist Albert Bandura calls self-efficacy, makes a massive difference. In other words, when you believe you’ve got this, you’re far more likely to stay steady under pressure.

This is where embodiment experts like Amanda Blake come in. In her book Your Body is Your Brain, she explains how the way we feel in our bodies affects how we think, lead, speak, and yes, how we handle stress. If your body is bracing for impact, such as tight shoulders, shallow breath, clenched jaw, it’s hard to feel calm or confident.

Amanda’s research found that when we increase our awareness of what’s going on in our bodies, we can actually change how we respond to stress. It’s not just about noticing tension, it’s about learning how to shift it. Through this body-based awareness, we can train ourselves to stay grounded even when things feel chaotic.

Tiny Shifts That Make a Big Difference
You don’t need to overhaul your life or sit in silence for hours. Start small:

  • Notice where stress shows up in your body, maybe your chest feels tight, or your hands get clammy.
  • Breathe, slow and steady. This alone signals to your nervous system that you’re safe.
  • Move, even a little. A gentle stretch or roll of the shoulders can help reset your system.
  • Remind yourself: You’ve done hard things before. You can handle this.

These tiny shifts help you build what Amanda calls somatic confidence, confidence that comes from within, not from performing or pretending.

Like any skill, confidence gets stronger with practice. Especially the kind that’s rooted in your real life experiences, not some polished version of you, but you as you are. The one who still shows up, even when things feel wobbly.

So, if stress is showing up a lot lately, maybe confidence isn’t the cherry on top. Maybe it’s part of the toolkit that helps you get through it, calm, clear, and grounded. Because when your body feels steady, your voice follows. And you stop bracing yourself, you start showing up.

 

Find out more about working with Charlotte and how she helps clients via her profile page here

Charlotte Worth is a career confidence and executive Coach who works with professionals to build grounded, natural confidence so they can speak up, be seen, and lead with clarity, without faking it or burning out trying to be someone they’re not.

June 24, 2025