In psychology, self-esteem pertains to a person’s subjective sense of personal value or worth. It’s about appreciating yourself regardless of what people say or the circumstances around you. But gaining confidence can take plenty of effort for some people who have trust issues, personal conflicts, and bad past experiences. So, how do you increase your self-esteem?
Check the steps below to help boost your self-esteem or self-confidence.
Learn To Accept Yourself
People have distinct personalities, demographic profiles, and physical characteristics. Whether you’re young or old, accepting yourself is the first step towards boosting self-confidence. Understand that each of us is made equally imperfect. You may have seen pictures of people with great bodies and faces, but you should know that some might have just edited their pictures or enhanced their bodies to achieve that perfect look. Stop comparing yourself to others and accept the natural features that make you who you are.
There are people who are mobility-restricted or cannot perform at their best because of their medical or physical condition, which tends to affect their self-esteem. But even with such circumstances, they find ways to use their disability to inspire and motivate others. With the use of innovative technology, they can do things that able-bodied people can do. For example, people with disabilities can take advantage of assistive technology to perform daily activities, pursue their hobbies, enjoy life, and learn how to live with their condition and accept themselves.
It’s natural to feel bad about ourselves sometimes, but know that there are many things you can do to love yourself. You can start by listing all the good things about yourself!
Take Reasonable Actions
The best time to take proper action is now, not tomorrow or next week. The clock is ticking, and the moment you feel like pursuing your plans may be too late. Low self-esteem can ruin your career, interpersonal relationships, and your overall life. So, start chasing your dreams by taking reasonable actions today.
There are many activities you can start doing to increase your self-esteem, such as the following:
Exercise – A daily workout grind can help you boost your immune system, get a sexy figure, strengthen your physical endurance, and increase your self-esteem and happiness. So, why not plan your next exercise regimen by joining a gym club or attending yoga classes?
Get A New Hobby – Lack of physical activity and exciting events may cause boredom and burnout. You can counteract negative feelings and self-doubt by turning them into a newfound hobby such as cultivating succulent plants, painting, swimming, or rock climbing.
Treat And Take Care Yourself – If you’re too stressed or burnout, you tend to feel unworthy, incapable, and unhappy. So, get a new haircut, schedule a massage, or spend a grand vacation treating yourself to bring back your inner drive. Eating healthy food and taking enough rest and sleep are also crucial to regaining self-confidence.
Help Other People – A great way to feel good about yourself is to help other people. Through volunteer work and charity events, you can save people’s lives and widen your perspective on other people around you. In the process, you may find yourself lucky amidst your perceived gaps and insufficiencies.
Ask For Help
Low self-esteem isn’t a disorder itself. However, it can be a significant problem when everything seems to not work for you, affecting your life drastically. So, as much as possible, ask for help from experts like a life coach, psychologist, or support groups. They offer different strategies and techniques that can help you cope with your daily struggles.
You might need a medical or psychiatric assessment to determine if you’re suffering from any physical or mental health disorder. For instance, hypothyroidism can make you feel sad, irritable, and lose motivation to do tasks because of low hormone levels in your blood. In addition, unresolved personal issues, marital conflicts, and financial problems can jeopardize your happiness and your self-confidence too.
Experts can help you obtain the proper treatment or therapy you need, such as the following:
Individual Therapy – Some people feel guilty about many things, such as a death of a loved one, which can affect their self-esteem. One-on-one counseling or coaching can help you regain trust and confidence in yourself by obtaining a more logical explanation of the events or circumstances in your life.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – A psychiatrist or psychologist can provide cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT to low self-esteem clients. It’s a form of psychological treatment that can help you identify and change your disturbing or destructive thought patterns that cause negative feelings and behavior.
Group Therapy – Attending a group therapy session can help improve your communication or socialization skills and self-confidence. You’ll learn how to accept criticisms from other people and find comfort in knowing you’re not alone in your struggles, that other people experience the same problems or issues in life.
Conclusion
Many factors can contribute to low self-esteem, from negative childhood experiences and trauma to physical disabilities and other medical conditions. Fortunately, with the guide above, you can increase your self-esteem. Don’t forget to have a clear vision, take reasonable actions, and don’t hesitate to ask for help. With willpower and determination, you’ll be able to achieve your goals towards a high self-esteem