5 Effective Ways to Boost Your Self-Esteem
Understanding Low Self-Esteem
Low self-esteem can impact every aspect of life, from relationships to health and job satisfaction. Fortunately, there are effective habits that you can adopt today to start building a more positive self-view. Here are five practical, science-backed ways to improve your self-esteem and start feeling better about yourself.
Positive Affirmations – Done Right
Using positive affirmations can be empowering, but only if done in a realistic and believable way. When someone with low self-esteem uses phrases like, “I am a great success,” it may feel untrue and even backfire. Instead, rephrase affirmations to match your current mindset. For example, try saying, “I’m going to work hard to achieve success,” which is more attainable and likely to feel genuine. This approach makes affirmations more effective and helps build confidence gradually.
Celebrate and Showcase Your Skills
Building self-esteem can be as simple as recognising your skills and sharing them with others. If you’re a talented cook, host a dinner party; if you’re a great runner, consider signing up for a local race. This practice helps reinforce your abilities and reminds you of what you’re capable of, ultimately improving your self-worth.
Learn to Accept Compliments
For those with low self-esteem, accepting compliments can be challenging, even though they’re a much-needed confidence booster. Practice responding to compliments with simple acknowledgments, like “Thank you” or “That means a lot.” This habit can shift your mindset over time, allowing you to internalise the positive feedback and believe in your worth.
Reduce Self-Criticism and Embrace Self-Compassion
When we’re feeling down, self-criticism can become a damaging habit. Counter this tendency by practising self-compassion—ask yourself how you’d treat a friend in a similar situation. You’ll likely find that you’re much kinder to others than to yourself. By treating yourself with that same compassion, you can start to build up your self-esteem instead of breaking it down.
Remind Yourself of Your Worth
Setbacks can damage confidence, but one of the best ways to boost your self-esteem is to actively remind yourself of your self-worth. If you’ve faced rejection, create a list of your strengths, like loyalty or reliability, to reinforce your value. Similarly, if you didn’t land a promotion, list the skills that make you an asset to your team. This exercise provides a quick, powerful way to rebuild confidence after any self-esteem dip.
Grow Self-Esteem with Daily Practice
Building self-esteem is a journey. By incorporating these simple, realistic habits, you’ll gradually see improvements in your confidence and overall well-being. Embrace the process and remember that every step forward is valuable.
Consider Therapy
If you’ve tried the above practices but still find you are struggling with self-worth, a qualified therapist can help you uncover the origins of the limiting beliefs that are holding you back. They will guide you in building self-acceptance and self-love, by equipping you with tools to reshape these patterns and embrace yourself fully.