Low self-esteem issues affect nearly 85% of Americans, making this a serious mental health problem that can contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression. Fortunately, there are many different things you can do to give your self-esteem a little boost. By employing several of these suggestions on a daily basis, you can enjoy higher feelings of self-worth consistently.
Improve Your Smile
If you don’t visit your dentist regularly, chances are you feel self-conscious about your smile. When people feel as though their smile is unattractive, they become concerned with making sure others can’t see their teeth. After a short time, this can negatively impact your self-esteem. A visit to your dentist can help by giving you a cleaning, dental implants, or custom veneers. As a rule, you should see your dentist every six months. Regular visits will help your dentist catch dental problems early, which means problems can be treated quickly and less intrusively.
Get More Exercise
As you engage in intensive physical activity, your brain will release the endorphins that act as feel good neurotransmitters. As you engage in more exercise or physical activity that’s more intensive, the level of endorphins in your brain will increase accordingly. This is why competing in sports gives athletes that natural high. Additionally, engaging in more exercise will help you lose weight and build muscle. When you begin seeing the positive effects exercise has on your body, you’ll feel better about yourself.
Learn a New Skill
Accomplishing something new will give your self-esteem a lift by showing you that success is possible. If you take the initiative to learn a new language or start a new hobby, you’ll be giving your mind the challenge it craves. You’ll also be giving yourself a reason to feel more confidence as you learn some skill that you’ve always wanted to master.
Start Every Morning With a Positive Thought
The reason most people suffer from self-esteem problems is that they get lost in negative thinking throughout each day. If this could be something that affects you, change that by starting every morning with a positive thought. You should also practice being more aware of your thoughts throughout the day. Each time you catch yourself thinking a negative thought, change that thought into something positive.
Fill Your Days With New Adventures
It’s easy to wallow in feelings of self-doubt and poor self-esteem when you confine yourself within your own comfort zone. To make a significant change will require throwing yourself into new experiences as often as possible. When you fill each day with new activities, visits to new places, or taking on new tasks, you’ll be training yourself to act with more confidence. After you have done several different things that you doubted you could do previously, you’ll begin to feel more confident in your abilities.
Donate Your Time
There are countless charities within your community that could use your help. When you spend time helping others, you’ll enjoy the positive feelings that the experience creates within. You’ll enjoy seeing how your help has improved the lives of others, and you’ll feel a confidence boost in knowing that you can impact those lives. If you can’t find a charitable organization you feel passionately about, you can do something on your own. Teach the illiterate to read, visit the elderly in nursing homes, or organize a food drive for the homeless. The key is to choose a cause that?s important to you.
Go to the Spa
Sometimes, all people really need for a self-esteem boost is to look and feel their best. Look for a local spa in your community that will provide you with a day of pampering. If you live in a smaller community that doesn’t have a day spa, visit an acupuncturist or massage therapist. Many types of physical therapy are useful in alleviating stress and improving mood. In fact, many people see message therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and other physical therapists even when they don’t have a physical injury. Therapy of this type can leave you feeling confident, refreshed, and energetic.
While the suggestions offered here can help lift your self-esteem, you may still suffer from depression, anxiety, or other emotional health problems. If these activities don’t have a positive effect on you, or if you consistently feel anxious or depressed, you may need more help. Consulting a therapist can help you develop a happier and brighter outlook on life.
