Getting compliments from strangers among biggest confidence boosters for older women, study claims

Getting a compliment from a stranger has been named among the biggest confidence boosters for women, a study has found.

A poll of 2,000 women aged 50 and above has revealed what causes self-esteem to soar, with being comfortable in your own skin, feeling good about your weight and wearing a flattering outfit also featuring on the list.

Other confidence boosters included waking up feeling refreshed from a good night’s sleep, a stranger smiling at you and being good at your job.

But poor memory recall, not feeling as fit as you once were and going through the menopause were among the things most likely to leave a woman feeling low.

Worryingly, the study by vitamins, minerals and health supplements firm Healthspan, found low levels of confidence were leaving a third of those polled feeling depressed, while another 34 per cent had experienced increased anxiety.

Weight gain (27 per cent), a feeling of isolation (23 per cent) and even a loss of libido (18 per cent) were also among the effects of low confidence.

Low self-esteem had even prevented a quarter from socialising with their friends, held back 22 per cent back in their career and stopped 14 per cent from exercising.

It also emerged the menopause had a huge effect on a woman’s confidence levels with 29 per cent saying the impact of the menopause was underrated.

A third even went as far as to say they no longer felt like the person they once were before the menopause.

Dr Meg Arroll, a psychologist specialising in health working with Healthspan, said: “We often focus on the physical changes associated with ageing and the menopause, but the emotional and psychological impact of life transitions are just as important.

“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.

“Therefore, it’s important to both tackle the underlying reasons for confidence drains, whilst focusing on the areas that make women in midlife unstoppable.”

The study also found that while 14 per cent of women polled claimed their confidence levels were very good, more than one in ten rated them as “poor” or “very poor”.

But the research, carried out through OnePoll, also found 46 per cent of women’s confidence had increased as they got older and felt more comfortable in their skin.

One in four felt at their least confident between the ages of 18 and 25, while 18 per cent said their 50s was the most self-assured they had ever felt.

Dr Arroll added: “In general, with greater experience comes a more balanced perspective.

“Women in midlife tend to care less what other’s think in general and more about what makes them feel good about themselves.

“The obsessiveness of youth fades (thank goodness), replaced by a more outwardly perspective and focus on our purpose, rather than simply appearance.

It also emerged almost one in five felt their confidence was knocked thanks to menopause, with 17 per cent saying they struggled “emotionally”.

Four in 10 also blamed hot flushes at work for knocking their confidence.

SWNS