4 Tips on How to Improve Your Self-Esteem and How You Feel About Yourself.
Let’s face it, we all have days where we feel less than perfect about ourselves.
Our hair just doesn’t seem to sit right, or our clothes don’t seem to fit like they used to plus any number of other negative thoughts that seem to crowd your already busy mind.
Addressing the all to familiar problem of self-sabotage: Although the occurrence of viewing ourselves in a less than ideal manner comes naturally to so many of us, you shouldn’t let the feelings linger.
Sadly, thousands of people, often feel negative about themselves; even though it may only be their appearance or some current circumstance, both of which you can easily do something about with a little bit of help so read on.
In fact, Dr. Joe Rubino, the author of “Restore Your Magnificence: A Life-Changing Guide to Reclaiming Your Self-Esteem“, reported that over 85% of the world’s population suffers from having a low self-esteem.
This statistic leaves us with a world full of beautiful people who are unable to see their own beauty for themselves.
So to get you fully primed and in the right frame of mind, now is probably a good time to take a few moments to give yourself some eternal strength and reflect on the words of this greatest song ever from Whitney Houston:
I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone’s shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can’t take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all.
So, after listening to that do you think we are all doomed to live and die in an unhappy state?
No…..of course we aren’t!
Fortunately, the battle of self-esteem and self-confidence can easily be won.
So, just keep these wise words from Steve Jobs in mind; “Self-confidence must come from within. Outside reinforcement and strokes can help, but you have to build your own confidence.”
Humans are creatures of habit. How can you overcome a pesky habit? Simply by taking some massive action.
Negative self-thinking is a learned habit that can be conquered by changing the way you think.
Here are 4 tips you’ll be able to use to totally change your opinion of yourself and live a life full of love and purpose.
1. Repeat some Daily Self-Affirmations
Self-affirmations are an excellent way to identify and build on your strengths.
In fact, a research study found that individuals who practised positive thinking after receiving a serious diagnosis of an illness were much better able to process the information and develop positive coping strategies so they could move forward.
One excerpt reads, “Two recent sets of research findings suggest that positive beliefs and experiences increase attention to useful self-relevant negative information and thus may facilitate effective coping.”
If positive self-thinking can assist with life-altering illnesses, then surely it can help you to develop a positive self-image.
2. How do you practice self-affirmations?
It’s simple, repeat to yourself reasons why you love yourself.
Many people like to look in the mirror and list their positive qualities each day. Others find good success with writing down five to ten of their most favourable traits in a notebook and refer to it from time to time throughout the day.
The key here is to focus on what you appreciate about yourself; not others.
Once you’ve gotten into the habit of feeding your mind with positive thoughts, you will find that the previous negative voice will be silenced.
Changing your thinking is crucial if you want to raise your self-esteem. You have to believe you are great in order to exude it.
And always remember; what you allow is what will continue.
3. Learn to be Strong and to Live Well
Living well isn’t limited to engaging in exciting activities every night of the week or making tons of cash.
It’s a deeper connection you have to your body, mind, and spirit.
The foods you consume and the amount of exercise you do have a major input into your mood swings.
In fact, processed foods, sodas and soft drinks, cakes and lollies which are all high in sugars are recipes for disaster if you’re trying to think positively.
Being mindful of what you put into your body will make you glow from the inside out!
In addition to eating well, engaging in some sort of physical activity, including strength training, is highly beneficial to your overall health and well-being.
Getting outside and taking in the sun will boost your serotonin, also known as, the happy chemical in your brain.
When you take care of your body, you’ll see changes in how you view yourself. You’ll become stronger both mentally and physically.
4. Choose Your Company Wisely
You can not change the PEOPLE around you; but you can change the people you choose to be around. As the old saying goes, “you become like the people you spend the most time with” so remember to choose your friends wisely.
Self-esteem starts from within. However, surrounding yourself with positive people will only encourage you to continue to think happy thoughts about yourself.
Choosing companions who honor your strengths and acknowledge how great you are creates a healthy space. The danger in attempting to improve your self-esteem while surrounding yourself with negative people is that their mentality will eventually rub off on you.
You’ll begin to live in that space of negative thinking without even realizing the repercussions.
People who inspire you, motivate you and challenge you are friends that will support your esteem. They respect you, so they would never intentionally attempt to taint your character.
After you’ve established a firm hold on how you view yourself, it will be easy to attract like-minded people who think similarly.
You have to live with yourself for the rest of your life. Why not fulfil your dreams and make the experience a great one.
We all have so many unique talents and opportunities to give to the world. It’s only right that we learn to see the beauty we possess within ourselves.
By both using and making the above tips a habit, you’ll be well on your way to improving how you see yourself and living a happy and purpose filled life.
And check this out too – I’m sure you will find it very helpful. The Habits Guide: How to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear.
Cheers – John – your Active Ageing Mentor and Coach.
P.S. Help a friend……please like and share. Thanks
P.P.S. “Be careful how you are talking to yourself, because you are listening.” – Lisa M. Hayes
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