About 85% of Americans suffer from low self-esteem.
Do you fear you could be part of this statistic? If your self-esteem is low, it might be time for a change.
Self-esteem is key to self-fulfillment in many areas of life, including work and relationships. A lack of self-esteem can also lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
Your happiness starts with you. Use these eight tips to learn how to increase self-esteem:
1. Understand What Self-Esteem Is
Self-esteem is the opinion you have of yourself. It’s how you see and value yourself.
If you have low self-esteem, you might see yourself as unworthy or incapable. You might also feel like you don’t deserve happiness or success.
It’s important to remember that everyone has flaws and makes mistakes. What counts is how you see yourself despite these imperfections.
Do you view yourself as a capable and worthy person? If not, it might be time to start working on changing your mindset.
2. Identify Your Negative Thoughts
Your thoughts play a significant role in how you see yourself. If you’re constantly thinking negative thoughts, it’s no wonder your self-esteem is low.
Start paying attention to the things you say to yourself daily. Are these things kind and supportive? Or are they critical and belittling?
If you’re often putting yourself down, it might be time to start working on changing your self-talk. Instead of focusing on your flaws, try to focus on your strengths and accomplishments.
Remember, you are in control of your thoughts. You have the power to choose what you think about yourself.
Choose wisely. You are not your thoughts; you are not your experiences; you are not the product of your past. You are the one who is aware of all these things.
3. Set Realistic Expectations
One of the quickest ways to kill your self-esteem is to set unrealistic expectations.
If you’re constantly setting goals that are impossible to reach, you’re only setting yourself up for disappointment. And disappointment leads to negative self-talk, which leads to low self-esteem.
Instead of setting yourself up for failure, try setting realistic and achievable goals. Start small and work your way up. Celebrate each accomplishment, no matter how big or small it is.
Remember, progress is progress—no matter how slow it might be.
And don’t forget to cut yourself some slack every once in a while. You’re human, after all. Pushing yourself too hard will only lead to burnout—and that’s not going to help your self-esteem.
Take it one day at a time, and be patient with yourself. You’ll get there eventually.
4. Take Care of Your Dental Health
Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. And if you’re not confident in your smile, it can be a significant blow to your self-esteem.
According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 74% of adults believe an unattractive smile can hurt their career prospects.
Another 96% of adults believe an attractive smile makes someone more appealing to people of the opposite sex.
So if you’re not happy with your smile, it might be time to do something about it. There are cosmetic dental procedures that can help improve the appearance of your teeth, including teeth whitening, veneers, and braces.
Find a professional dental clinic like Brampton Corners Dental Care that can help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
A beautiful smile is worth the investment. You’ll be surprised at how much it can increase your self-confidence.
5. Dress to Impress
They say clothes make the man (or woman). And there’s some truth to that. The way you dress can impact the way you feel about yourself.
If you’re constantly wearing ratty old clothes, it will be hard to feel good about yourself. On the other hand, if you make an effort to dress nicely, you’ll feel more confident and attractive.
It doesn’t have to be expensive—find clothes that fit well and make you feel good. When you look good, you’ll feel good. It’s that simple.
So take some time to update your wardrobe. Go through your closet and get rid of anything that doesn’t fit or that you don’t like. Then go out and buy some new clothes that make you feel great.
You’ll be surprised at how much of a difference it makes.
6. Hit the Gym
Regular exercise is essential for good physical and mental health. It can help improve your energy levels, mood, and overall sense of well-being.
And it can also do wonders for your self-esteem.
When you look in the mirror and see a healthy, fit body, it’s hard not to feel good about yourself. Exercise gives you a sense of accomplishment and makes you feel strong and capable.
It doesn’t matter what kind of exercise you do—find something that you enjoy and that works for you. You might want to try lifting weights, running, yoga, or Pilates.
The important thing is that you make exercise a regular part of your life. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
Your body—and your self-esteem—will thank you for it.
7. Spend Time with Positive People
The people you surround yourself with have a significant impact on your self-esteem. If you’re constantly around negative people, it will be hard to feel good about yourself.
On the other hand, it will be much easier to improve self-esteem if you spend time with positive, supportive people.
So take a close look at the people in your life. Are they positive or negative? Do they make you feel good about yourself, or do they bring you down?
If you find that negative people are around you, try to distance yourself from them. Spend more time with friends and family members who make you feel good about yourself.
And if you don’t have many positive people in your life, try joining a club or group where you can meet new people who share your interests.
Increase Self-Esteem Starting Today
It’s important to remember that you can’t control everything in your life. There will always be times when things don’t go the way you want them to. But if you have a strong sense of self-esteem, you’ll be better equipped to deal with setbacks and bounce back from them quickly.
Self-esteem is a valuable commodity. So if you’re not happy with yours, take steps to improve it today. You’ll be glad you did.
By following these simple tips, you can increase self-esteem and feel better about yourself.
Keep reading our articles for more self-esteem tips.