| Our level of self esteem stems from how we | | | | see it often. |
| perceive ourselves, and affects all areas of our lives; | | | | Set yourself small, easily achievable goals; ie to |
| the higher our self esteem, and how good we feel | | | | complete a small task that's been bugging you and you |
| about ourselves, the more likely we are to achieve | | | | haven't got around to. Reward yourself when you |
| success in all areas of our lives. You may be thinking; | | | | have achieved this goal, and then set another, slightly |
| all well and good, but how do I build my self esteem? | | | | more challenging goal. |
| Here are some tried and trusted ways of helping | | | | Learn a new skill- this can be really beneficial for low |
| yourself to gain self esteem; | | | | self esteem. Scan the night class brochures from your |
| Halt destructive thoughts. Remember, you have rights, | | | | local college, and pick something which takes your |
| opinions and ideas which are just as valid as | | | | fancy, or something you've wanted to learn for some |
| everybody else's. | | | | time. This could also open up a whole new social life |
| Use self- talk- this can be a really effective way of | | | | for you. Some people find singing helps to improve self |
| improving low self esteem. Think of the things you did | | | | esteem, and there are now singing groups for all |
| well during the day, and praise yourself for them. Be | | | | abilities. Other people find going to self defence |
| definite ie 'I really made a good job of that assignment | | | | classes boosts their self esteem. |
| and my boss was really pleased' rather than 'I worked | | | | Fake it 'til you make it! Play a little game with yourself... |
| well today'. This may feel a little strange at first, but will | | | | pretend to have amazing self esteem. Think how such |
| soon become second nature. | | | | a person would act, speak, hold themselves etc... then |
| Focus on your achievements rather than your failures. | | | | play that role; pretend you are them. Go on, have fun |
| Everybody fails sometimes, you are not alone. If you | | | | with this! Watch your body language- stand up straight. |
| find yourself dwelling too much on your failures, start to | | | | The more you practice this, eventually you will find you |
| think of them as learning experiences and think of a | | | | become that person! |
| lesson you can take from each one. | | | | Look after your physical health; eat well, get enough |
| Come to terms with the past- many people suffer | | | | sleep and rest, and take regular exercise. You will feel |
| from low self esteem as the result of negative | | | | so much better, which will boost your self esteem sky |
| experiences in their lives or childhood; therapy is the | | | | high. Aim to exercise for at least 30 minutes five times |
| most obvious solution and can be greatly beneficial, but | | | | a week. Don't worry about joining a gym if you really |
| not everybody will wish to access this. Others will | | | | don't want to. Find an exercise you enjoy and will be |
| benefit from joining a support group, or an online group. | | | | able to keep up; swimming, taking a walk with a friend |
| If you have friends you can trust, you could tell them | | | | or just dancing to your favorite music all count. Get into |
| and ask for their support. | | | | the habit of making exercise a part of your life. As well |
| Try keeping a 'Feelings Journal'; write down how you | | | | as feeling much healthier you will also lose excess |
| feel or how you feel certain events in your life have | | | | weight, which can impact on self esteem. You could |
| affected you. You needn't show this to anybody | | | | set yourself small goals, ie to swim 30 lengths or run a |
| unless you want to, but the act of writing your feelings | | | | fun run. When you have achieved this, try a slightly |
| down will often minimise the power they have over | | | | more difficult goal; aim to swim a mile, or complete a |
| you. | | | | 10k (6 mile) race. |
| Write a list of all your good qualities and all the good | | | | Hopefully these ideas will enable you to start improving |
| thing you have in your life right now. Don't be shy! | | | | your low self esteem, especially if applied consistently. |
| Keep adding to it, and place it somewhere you can | | | | |