Being relaxed and open to other people can be hard if you feel they’re making assumptions about you and you’re out of your comfort zone, such as the gym. But this is often due to how you feel about yourself, rather than anyone actually judging you. I often find people who feel this way are critiquing themselves harshly. If this is the case, work on turning negative thoughts into positive observations. For example, ‘I’m never going to get fit’, can simply become, ‘I’m exercising, so I will get fit’. Also, try this simple confidence boosting exercise before you head out. Stand in a Wonder Woman pose – legs slightly apart, hands on hips, shoulders back – and hold it for two minutes. Studies suggest practising this ‘power pose’ before entering a stressful situation, could lower cortisol (the stress hormone) and increase testosterone, to help you feel more confident and capable.