7 simple ways to boost self-esteem

Everyone experiences days where they feel unsure of themselves or don't feel self-confident. This can be a tough cycle to break out of, especially if you've been feeling these feelings for a long time.

One way to improve your self-esteem is by taking care of yourself. By making your own health - both mental and physical - a priority, you're communicating to your own mind that you are worth it. Here's 7 ways that self-care can boost your self-confidence.

Take a look at some of the simple ways that self-care can boost self-esteem.

Sage Friedman

up your energy with better sleep

There's not getting enough sleep, and there's not getting a good night's sleep. If you have trouble falling asleep, you can learn how to beat insomnia. Other tips include setting a bedtime alarm to remind yourself when to start settling in for the night. Sometimes we get lost in a TV show or our work in the evening and by the time we look up, it's well past our bedtime.
 
If you're sleeping at least 8 hours a night but still feel tired and sluggish during the day, that means your quality of sleep isn't high enough to recharge your body. Low energy, poor mood, and weight gain (or inability to lose weight) are all signs that your body isn't getting the benefits of a good night's sleep.

exercise your way to health

Exercise can be an excellent stress reliever, while also helping you to get out, socialize and burn off some excess energy that keeps you from relaxing. Exercising regularly can improve your general mobility and help you improve your sleep quality.
 
If you’re nervous about exercising or the thought of going to the gym makes you anxious, why not try working out with a friend?

​It’s easier to find the motivation when someone is cheering you on beside you, and it can be a great excuse to get out and catch up with someone you love. If you’re new to exercise then take things slow and do the types of exercises you enjoy to help you keep it up and develop healthier habits for life.

build a more confident smile

If your smile has always been something you try to hide, or something that makes you anxious or self-conscious, it may be time to invest in yourself to work on your smile.

A visit to the dentist can help correct any issues you might have, as well as help you take better care of your teeth. Teeth whitening and braces can help you get a great smile that you can’t help but show off.

​Looking after your teeth is important, so don’t let those dental checkups fall by the wayside.

eat foods that make you feel good

Cravings for processed foods, whether high in sugar, fat, or both, may seem to temporarily lift your bad spirits.

However, you’ll likely end up feeling worse, both mentally and physically.

Take charge of what you eat and try more natural and wholesome foods, such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products.

​In fact, according to some reports, there are foods that can boost your mood.

learn to relax with meditation

Meditation has many benefits. If you suffer from anxiety or stress, then meditation can help calm your mind and help you to relax. There are a lot of ways you can practice meditation.

Yoga can be a physically strenuous activity, all the while focusing on your breathing, or it can be a more relaxing adventure, tuning in with your body in certain positions.

Overall, being able to clear your mind of negative thoughts and energy, and replacing those negative thoughts with positive ones, will help you focus on what’s within and now, not what’s happening around you that you cannot control.

​Try meditating in the mornings to start your day, or before bed for a more restful way to fall asleep.

head outside to boost your mood

How much time do you spend outside? There's plenty of evidence that shows connecting with nature can improve your mental health, with the effects being felt for hours afterwards.

​Simply taking a break from work with a lunchtime walk provides your mind with rest and your body with movement. You can ask a friend to join or just go alone with your thoughts.

ditch bad habits - and feel better for it

If you take inventory of your daily habits and find that perhaps you rely on smoking, drinking, social media and technology, or caffeine to get you through the day, it may be time to re-evaluate.

These habits may be a way of avoiding problems in your life, and can also be detrimental to your health.

There are a number of lifestyle behaviors that can contribute to anxiety, and putting a stop to them could help you feel much better in yourself. For example, spending a lot of your time on social media can lead you to feel poorly about your own life, as you see the curated best of your friends.

​Spending time on your phone or computer at night can also make it difficult for you to fall asleep. 

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Taking steps towards a healthier lifestyle not only improves your physical health, but shows yourself that you’re worth fighting for. 


What steps will you take today?