Expert Advice

Easy ways to instantly improve self-esteem

Everyone has peaks and dips in their self-esteem. Between your “I can take on the world” days, there are the fat days, bad hair days and all round “I want to lie in bed not move days”. Whilst we usually end up being hard on ourselves, here are a few simple tricks to help you give yourself a break and your self-esteem a boost.

Think positive

When you’re bombarded with negative thoughts it can be hard to break the chain. According to braintracey.com, a website that specialises in helping individuals to meet their personal goals says: “95% of your emotions are determined by the way you talk to yourself as you go throughout your day. The sad fact is that is you do not deliberately and consciously talk to yourself in a positive and constructive way, you will, by default, think about things that will make you unhappy or cause you worry and anxiety.”

Every time you find yourself thinking about something negative, make a conscious effort to break the chain and think about something that makes you happy.

Stop weighing yourself

So many people define their happiness by the number that they see on the scales. If you weigh yourself in the morning, your mood will be dictated by the number. It’s like setting a ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ test for yourself every day. Weight can alter between 4 – 6lbs in 24 hours which reveals nothing about your health and does nothing for your self-esteem. Top tip, hide the scales in the bathroom and only get them out when you’re having a thin day.

Be kind to yourself

Whatever it is, do one thing a day that you love doing. Whether it’s going for a run, enjoying a relaxing bath or eating your favourite meal, do something that you love. And if you need inspiration, look no further…

Learn to be assertive

Feeling low can often manifest itself in trying to do everything possible to please others. To be able to help anyone else, you need to be happy within your own right and your own wellbeing must come first. In short, learn to say no.

Don’t compare yourself to others

It’s human nature to measure your own success against that of other people. So what if you friend earns more money that you? It doesn’t make you any richer. And that friend with the envious bikini body? Despite what you think she doesn’t make you look any less honed. It can be tempting to measure your own worth against other peoples but try to focus on what your strengths are. What are you good at? What do people come to you for help with? Write down your strengths read them outload thing in the morning to remind yourself of what you’re good at.



chidgeyg

chidgeyg

Writer and expert