Shutterstock / canbedone©This month is Boost Self-Esteem Month. So our health experts have brought you 6 great ways to help boost your self-esteem. The key to it all is about being kind to yourself and recognising your strengths and true worth.
True Friendships
The health of our friendships is key to our happiness and joy, so plan a “clean-up” and gently nudge your social life so you spend a little less time with people who make you feel bad, then you can nurture close friends on whom you can rely to respond with empathy and on whom you can shower empathy in return.
Recognise Accomplishments
Feel proud of your achievements. Write a list of your accomplishments large and small (include school exams, giving birth, mastering a headstand), then give yourself permission to feel satisfaction. Take a look at your list and say to yourself, “I did all this and I’m proud.”
Positive Feedback
Don’t pepper conversations with words like “just”, “simply”, or “only” – any language that undercuts your worth. Take a compliment. When someone offers positive feedback, take a pause (to halt the instinct to protest) then smile, just as you might when given a gift.
Cut Yourself Some Slack
Are you mean to yourself? If so, start talking to yourself as you would to a cherished friend and watch out for any event, or person, who tips you into self-criticism. When you know you’re being unkind to yourself, listen to what you’re saying and cut yourself some slack.
Projects To Boost Your Self-Esteem
Find a hobby you could be good at. Think back to what you enjoyed when you were younger. Pull out your old guitar, write a story or poem, take a dance class or sign up for a community theatre production. Just a small step in the right direction could be enough to lift your self-esteem.
Power Stance
In moments of doubt, stand with your legs shoulder-width apart, feet flat on the ground, head high, hands on hips. Holding a pose like this for just two minutes can increase levels of testosterone (the dominance hormone), reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) and boost your feelings of power and control.
Click here for great advice on mental health.
Yvonne McKenzie I work on the Features team and admit to being nosy, so I love looking after the Between Friends letters and finding out all about our lovely readers. I also look after our health copy and enjoy writing about inspiring people that help make the articles in the magazine so interesting.
