How to build your self esteem
Graham Price
Employee mental health training via quality animated videos to eliminate stress, worry, conflicts for individuals, organisations and employees to be at their best
Our self-esteem significantly shapes our life experiences. Often confused with self-confidence, self-esteem reflects our overall perception of ourselves. While self-confidence gauges our perceived ability and effectiveness, the two, although related, can differ in various situations. Someone might have high self-esteem but feel unconfident playing a game of tennis.
Although childhood experiences greatly influence self-esteem, it's not set in stone. There's ample room for self-esteem growth at any stage of life. Here are eight exercises and behavioral changes to boost self-esteem:
(1) Acknowledge Your Positives: List favorable aspects about yourself, what you like, your strengths, achievements, and contributions. Congratulate yourself for each item on the list.
(2) Accept Uncomfortable Feelings: When facing anxiety or low feelings, practice acceptance. Fully experience the feeling, acknowledge it won't harm you, and confirm it's bearable. Tell yourself, "It's okay to have this feeling for now," diminishing its impact.
(3) Aspirational Beliefs and Behaviors: Identify beliefs and characteristics you'd like to have. Write down associated behaviors and strive to display them. Acting as if you possess these traits helps convince your mind and unwinds negative beliefs.
(4) Embrace Exercise: Regular exercise releases endorphins, improving mood and overall health. Whether joining a gym, attending classes, or incorporating exercise into daily activities, a healthy body contributes to a healthy mind.
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(5) Contribute to Others: Extend a helping hand to those in need, engage with charities, or share your skills and knowledge. Contributing to others fosters a sense of purpose and connection.
(6) Develop Passionate Interests: Cultivate hobbies, join clubs, attend classes, or pursue educational interests. Passionate pursuits add fulfillment to life and positively impact self-esteem.
(7) Express Gratitude: List things you're grateful for, from basic essentials to life's blessings. Reaffirm your gratitude regularly, fostering a positive mindset.
(8) Take Control: Identify an area of life lacking control and take proactive steps. Whether quitting smoking or losing weight, assert control to boost confidence and self-esteem.
Periodically revisit and enhance your lists while continuing to adopt new behaviors and accepting uncomfortable feelings. Remember, building self-esteem is an ongoing journey.