You want to stay looking and smelling clean. Shower daily, use deodorant, and wear clean clothes.  Avoid strong cologne. An overpowering smell can make people uncomfortable, and can aggravate health conditions like asthma. You want a strong personality, not a strong smell. Try to look better than the guys around you so that you stand out. For example, wear patterns, collared shirts, nice pants, and possibly a tie. Don’t wear shirts that advertise a brand name or your favorite band; you want to advertise yourself. Read How to Dress Well As a Guy for more suggestions.  Dressing well does not mean dressing up, necessarily. Your clothes should fit you well, should be comfortable, and should be appropriate for the situation. Remember—clothes are window dressing. If you exude confidence and strength, and command respect by your presence, your clothes will be secondary. Staying in shape will not make you an alpha male—that must come from the inside—but it will help with your health and well-being. It also sends another signal: the man who takes good care of himself can take care of others, too. The way you carry yourself speaks volumes to those around you, without you even making a sound. Your posture, your hand gestures, your stance—all of it sends signals to those around you about your place in the world. You want those signals to be strong and confident, not protective and small. Here are some examples of confident body language:   Stand or sit up straight. Don't slouch. Show your full height in the presence of adults. Steeple the fingers. Press the fingertips of both hands together, with palms separated. A higher steeple projects confidence, as long as you aren't touching your mouth with your fingertips.  Put your hands behind your back. This posture suggests openness and confidence. Make eye contact (if it is culturally appropriate). Look at the person you're talking to. To avoid staring, try moving your gaze from one eye to the other, then to the mouth. Briefly look away from time to time. Put your hands into your pocket, with your thumbs out. This signals confidence, and perhaps a little cockiness. Stand with strong posture, use expansive gestures, and look relaxed and comfortable in your surroundings. See How to Look Approachable for more tips on looking totally at ease in any situation. If you aren't used to looking or feeling confident, it may take some time to adjust. This is normal. Work on building the habit of confidence. If you slip up, remember that tomorrow is a new day. It will get easier with practice.   Try power posing before a challenge to help you feel stronger. If you need a private place, go to the restroom. Remind yourself of something you did well in the past, and take a moment to be proud of yourself.

Summary: Keep your hygiene impeccable. Dress well. Join a gym and get fit. Project confidence through your body language. Don’t be afraid to fill the room with your presence. Give it practice.


If you suspect that the air quality in your home is poor, you should hire a professional who can test the air quality and give you an informed recommendation. Ask friends, realtors, or construction companies for referrals to a qualified specialist in your area. A professional will be able to test for degraded air due to:  Indoor mold Lead-based paint Dust particles and other allergens Smoke-related air pollution Air fresheners, candles, and incense Household cleaners Combustion particles or gases If you suspect that you have significant levels of radon in your home, you'll need to hire a professional to resolve the issue. You can contact your state or local health department for a list of recommended professionals who can help clear the radon out of your home. You can also use the Environmental Protection Agency's interactive map to find a qualified radon professional in your area: https://www.epa.gov/radon/find-information-about-local-radon-zones-and-state-contact-information If you are buying or selling a home, often testing the air for pollutants is a contingency of the loan you will be applying for. This is especially true in regions that have high levels of air pollution due to industry or even natural causes (like the common occurrence of forest fires). In these cases, at-home tests that you complete yourself will not be sufficient.  Hire a professional that has experience testing air quality in homes, preferably one that is recommended by your realtor, lender, or home inspector. If you don't have a recommendation for a professional, try to do some online research by reading online reviews from actual customers of various professionals in your areas. You can also check a prospective professional for certifications in the field – such as membership in the Indoor Air Quality Association or the International Association of Certified Indoor Air Consultants.
Summary: Pay a professional to test the air quality in your home. Hire a radon specialist to test for radon in your home. Use a professional test if you need an official test result.