Cultivating your self-esteem can be tough. However, high self-esteem is important to our mental health since you will be less vulnerable to anxiety and emotional juggernauts stemming from rejection, failure and loneliness. But even if we know that self-esteem is important, most of us do not know how to build it or find it hard to feel content about our own value.
Build Positive Thoughts
Be nice to yourself by cultivating constructive and encouraging thoughts. One of the best ways of doing that is by having a positive attitude on the tasks ahead of you and giving yourself credit for the things you have accomplished rather than being hard on yourself on the tasks you failed on. Challenge negative thoughts and be your cheerleader; celebrate even the smallest of your accomplishments even on the most difficult days.
Work On What You Can Change
Rather than getting hung up on things you cannot change, try to focus your energy on things you can change that makes you self-conscious. For instance, you can hit the gym to get the body that makes you feel confident, or you can visit an orthodontist to fix your smile if you have misaligned teeth. Other areas you can work on include personal hygiene, improving your manners, and even doing a bit of charity could help make you feel good about yourself.
Do the Things That You Enjoy
Don’t feel guilty about spending time to enjoy your hobbies. It’s not time wasted; it’s time well spent. That also applies to taking the time to experiment with new activities. You may learn of talents that you were not aware you possess.
Help Those in Need
Research has shown that those who lend a helping hand to those in need tend to have a good mood and higher self-esteem. There are various opportunities you can use to help others. Offer your services to homeless shelters, retirement homes, or sick and elderly persons that you know, and you will feel good about yourself. You can also offer a helping hand by doing simple things like holding the door for a stranger, giving spare change to a homeless person, or offering a shoulder to cry on for someone in need.
Stop Comparing
Comparing yourself with others will most likely result in low-self esteem. When we compare ourselves to others, we will most likely focus on the areas that we come up short and not where we excel. Keep in mind you don’t have the full picture of anyone else’s life but your own, so focus on your life and challenge yourself to do better than before.
Surround Yourself With Supportive People
Associate with people who will make you feel good and confident about yourself. Granted, they will offer constructive criticism, but they will do it in a manner that will boost your self-esteem. You don’t have to spend time with people your own age. Spending time with younger people could offer a fresh new perspective while talking to someone older might be more fun and full of wisdom than you thought.
Final Take
There are other effective ways of building your self-esteem. It will take some time and a bit of work, but step by step, you will enjoy the emotional rewards of knowing that you are worth it and that all your accomplishments are valuable to all those whose lives you touch.
