5 Instant Confidence Boosters

If you bump into your ex...
Look him in the eye. Even if he sees you out and about in grungy sweatpants, hold his gaze to show you're doing just fine, thank you very much. Dominant people assert themselves by maintaining eye contact, Psychological Science notes, so be sure he looks away first.

If you're giving a presentation...
Talk with your hands. There's overlap between the brain regions that control hand movements and understanding of speech, so gesturing while you talk can help cement words in your mind, research from Colgate University finds. While you practice your speech, move your hands for emphasis in a way that feels natural (such as joining your fingers to emphasize connection). Repeat these gestures during the real presentation to recall words more easily and appear poised.

If you're prepping to run a race...
Visualize success. For a few weeks before the big day, picture yourself crossing the finish line triumphantly. People who imagined themselves exercising worked out for nearly an hour longer each week than those who didn't see themselves meeting their fitness goals, the Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology reports. The researchers say envisioning yourself succeeding conjures up the motivation to pursue and achieve what you want.

If you're interviewing for your dream job...
Sit with your spine straight and shoulders back—and not only when you're in front of your prospective boss. Keep an erect carriage while waiting to go into the meeting, too. You'll be more likely to believe in yourself than if you slump, a study from The Ohio State University in Columbus indicates, probably because a straight-up stance exudes confidence, says study author Richard Petty, Ph.D.

If you're negotiating or arguing a point...
Give the nod. If you bob your head, you'll be more convincing to yourself; you'll also coax others to ape your movements, which will help persuade them, too. People who nodded while listening to a well-argued editorial were more likely to be converted than ones who shook their head, the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology shows. We'll say yes to that.