It seems that bad vibes bombard us more and more in these times, and this negativity is slowly chipping away at our self-esteem. We spend too much time and energy on comparing ourselves to others, and holding them up in a much better light than we hold ourselves. The smallest changes can have a tremendous impact on how we value ourselves. Use these tips to boost your self-esteem today!
1. Mindfulness
This is not a new concept, but the term is being used more for so many different aspects of life. This is all about living in the present, focusing your thoughts and energy on what is happening right now. We have become too accustomed to multi-tasking, and while that is useful at times, it can also result in unhealthy behaviors.
- Do not eat at your desk at work. It is too easy to thoughtlessly shove empty calories into your mouth. They call it a lunch BREAK for a reason; give yourself that break.
- When you are having a conversation, concentrate on what is being said by all parties involved. Be a full participant. You will find the discussion more rewarding and the appreciation you receive from others will help boost self-esteem.
2. Make Healthy Food Choices
We have become a society of consumption, convincing ourselves that more is better, but this is certainly not the case. Make the conscious choice to eat healthy food in moderate portions. Concentrate on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats, and eat seasonally.
- Go crazy with the lettuce and kale and spinach in the summer months.
- Can or freeze other veggies like broccoli and green beans, and get a good stock of winter vegetables like squash and potatoes.
- Shop at your local farmers market or join a CSA, Community Supported Agriculture.
When you start feeling better physically, you will start feeling better emotionally. It is a wonderful boost to self-esteem when you can shake the hand of the person who grew and harvested your dinner, and know that you have supported your local economy.
3. Take ME Time
Too often we spread ourselves so thin doing everything possible for everyone else that we ignore our own needs. Make the habit of setting aside specific time for yourself to do what you want to do. Perhaps you just want to quietly sit outside and watch the world go by and clear your mind. Maybe you would like to put on your favorite tunes and dance around the house like a lunatic. Remember, you can’t take care of anyone else if you don’t take care of yourself.
4. It’s OK to Say “No”
Sometimes you just have to draw the line, put your foot down, and say no to something or someone. How often have you had a chaotic work week, and all you want to do is get home, put on comfies, and curl up with a good book? Then 15 minutes before quitting time you get a text from a friend wanting to meet for a drink because they need to talk.
Of course, you want to be there for your friends, but you need to take care of your needs as well. Just tell them you already have plans. They don’t have to know that those plans involve pajamas and the novel you just picked up. If they get upset because you need to take care of yourself, then they are probably part of the reason you need to boost your self-esteem.
In Conclusion: Avoid Toxicity
All of these tips come down to avoiding the toxic situations that lead to low self-esteem:
- Through mindfulness, you avoid the negative impact of not being focused.
- By eating healthy food, you avoid junk food that makes you feel sluggish.
- Allowing yourself some “me” time allows you to rid the body of stressors.
- Saying “no” when you need that me time helps you avoid toxic people and situations.
All of these toxins can be crippling to your self-esteem. Boost your self-esteem by removing them from your life.
There are many more small changes you can make to boost your self-esteem, like exercise and meditation. The fact that you are taking control of your life by making these changes is a change in itself, a challenge met, and you will be rewarded with a higher opinion of yourself.
