Building up your self-esteem is really no different than trying to build up your muscles - it takes work.
Just like you lift weights at the gym, you also have to exercise your mind in order to keep your self-esteem at healthy levels.
Even the strongest people fall victim to low self-esteem every once in awhile.
That's why the following 3 exercises to build self-esteem are so important.
By taking advantage of them, it's like going to the gym for your self-esteem!.
1.
Relaxation techniques One of the best ways to fight low self-esteem is to relax, and let go of the day's stress.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by low self-esteem, turn off the TV, turn off your cell phone, turn off the lights, lie down, and get comfortable.
Start by concentrating on your breathing.
Inhale while counting to 4, hold your breath for a second, then exhale while counting to 5.
Exhaling longer than you inhale is a natural way to calm yourself down because it gets rid of excess carbon dioxide in your system.
Once you're in control of your breathing, it's time for some visualization.
You can either visualize something recent that you've done really well - like a killer presentation at work.
Or, you can visualize yourself doing something well that you haven't done yet, but you'd like to - like cooking a fabulous gourmet dinner for your husband.
Whichever visualization you choose, be as detailed as possible.
Think about what you see around you.
What do you hear? What do you smell?.
What do you feel? Experiencing detailed visualizations is a great way to boost your self esteem; simply picturing yourself do something well can be enough to drown out the doubts in your head.
2.
Make a list of what's bothering you Your low self-esteem may be the result of an outside stressor - like problems at work, or an argument with your husband.
Make a list of everything that's upsetting you.
Then, go through the list, and see what you can do to change any of it.
For example, if a big work project is making you feel inadequate, get to work a little early to work on it.
By realizing which situations you can change - and which ones you can't - you're giving yourself power over the situation.
If there's something you cannot change, accept it, and stop letting it affect your self esteem.
3.
Get moving Physical exercise doesn't just build muscle; it can also boost self-esteem.
When you exercise, your brain releases endorphins - the body's "feel good" hormones.
The more endorphins you have, the better you feel about yourself and your life.
And, as an added benefit, research shows that the endorphin high you get at the gym doesn't stop when you get off the treadmill.
In fact, a good workout can make you feel better all day long! Copyright (c) Carla Valencia.