Everyone has a lot to say about self-esteem, but in the simplest terms possible, it’s how you view yourself and your talents and abilities. It can take form in varying degrees, whether high, low or just smack dab in the middle. You can even feel all of those levels in one day—an emotional rollercoaster for sure.
Ask anyone around you that you know and love, and they’ll tell you that they question themselves from time to time. Doubting ourselves is normal. However, what’s not normal is letting poor self-esteem swallow us whole. This will affect how we make our daily decisions as it makes us feel uneasy and unproductive.
People often dismiss the importance of embedding good habits into your lifestyle so that you can feel more sure of yourself. If you’re looking for ways to boost your self-esteem, we have a few recommendations below.
Keep in mind, however, that different things work for different people at different seasons in their lives. Try what you’re comfortable with and don’t put yourself under too much stress.
Be Kinder To Your Mind
Speak to yourself as if you’re talking to your closest friend. It’s going to be very difficult at first, especially if you’re used to berating yourself on the inside, but practice makes perfect. This is why mindfulness is so important. Knowing who you are, what makes you happy, and what you value in life helps untangle all the knots in your mind.
You might find it easier to stay true to yourself through a journal. So grab a blank notebook, let yourself feel whatever it is you’re feeling, and write all about it. Whatever you write doesn’t have to be perfect, so just breathe and let the thoughts flow through.
Another great way to be kinder to your mind is to do yoga and meditation. A few minutes a day is more than enough to make you feel a little better.
Be Kinder To Your Body
The key to feeling good even when on your period or when you don’t feel at your best is to look after yourself. Take a hard look at your lifestyle and make tiny adjustments here and there that will make you feel better overall.
When you’re keeping yourself stress-free and in good shape, you’ll notice a difference in your mood, energy levels, and even your self-esteem. And the best way to achieve a healthy lifestyle is to get back to the very basics. Here are some ways you can be kinder to your body:
Get enough sleep because too little or too much can greatly impact your mood.
Rethink the food that you are eating because what you fuel your body with can affect your energy.
Make time for physical activities because exercising will not only help your physical wellbeing, it will also have a positive impact on your mental health.
Go outside and breathe in fresh air because this will help rewire your brain.
As much as possible, avoid recreational drugs and alcohol because these will only help you forget about your problems and emotions instead of facing them.
Be Kinder to Others
The people who you surround yourself with can influence the way you see yourself. Staying in the company of people that expel a lot of negativity can severely damage your self-esteem.
People that trigger you to think negatively should not be a part of your life. It’s important for you to find friends who make you feel good about yourself. This is your tribe. Your supportive squad who will never turn their back on you.
Furthermore, don’t forget to be kind. Whether that’s to your loved ones, acquaintances, or strangers. Be considerate and helpful to others, as this will not only instantly boost their mood, but it will also make you feel good about yourself.
Be Kinder To Yourself
Knowing the conditions and situations that deflate your self-esteem is the first step to understanding how you can address them. Once you’ve identified these situations, pay attention to what you tell yourself. Your initial thoughts might be negative or inaccurate, so make a point to challenge them.
Consider whether your point of view is supported by evidence and logic, or whether there are alternative possible explanations for what you’ve experienced. Afterward, adjust your thoughts and beliefs.
You can do this by forgiving yourself, using hopeful statements, considering what you’ve learned throughout this whole ordeal, and encouraging yourself to push towards more positive changes.
Another way to be kinder to yourself is to learn how to say no. Take a moment to consider how you feel before agreeing to something you really don’t want to agree to.
Set boundaries. Pleasing others will only drain your energy and affect your wellbeing. This, in turn, will negatively impact your self-esteem.
Lastly, keep in mind and heart that there are things in this world that are out of your control. Don’t get too hung up on them as this won’t achieve anything so just concentrate on what you do have control over.
Some of the tips above are things you can do in a snap. However, remember that building up your self-esteem will take consistency and a willingness to learn and make mistakes along the way.
Self-esteem is all about being unafraid to take on any challenge. But one thing you shouldn’t forget is that you’re not alone. Whenever you need help, go ahead and ask for it. We’re right here, rooting for you!
Words by Katie Pierce
Illustration by Mona Neilson
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