10 Strategies To Raise Self-esteem In Your Daily Life
Self-esteem is the assessment that human beings make about themselves, both physically and in terms of personality, aptitudes and abilities.
It is a very necessary element in people’s lives, since their happiness and self-realization depend on it. In this sense, a good level of self-esteem is necessary to fulfill ourselves as people and achieve any of our life goals.
Although the most effective way to treat self-esteem problems is to go to psychotherapy, there are some strategies and routines that can be applied daily by oneself and that help us raise the level of self-esteem and to feel better about ourselves.
What are the main strategies to increase self-esteem?
Below we briefly present the keys that we can follow to improve our self-esteem.
1. Avoid constant comparisons
One of the first strategies that we can put into practice to improve our self-esteem is to avoid always comparing ourselves with other people, whether in our closest environment (such as friends, family or co-workers) or with strangers.
Whenever we compare ourselves with another person who can do better in life, we can end up feeling bad about what we have, which is why in general it is much better to focus on self-improvement goals, that is, what is important is to overcome oneself.
Having a vision of oneself that is adjusted to reality is one of the best ways to acquire good self-esteem, and this applies to both the physical image and the qualities, aptitudes or abilities that one has. That’s why it’s good that we often question what we think we know about ourselves.
Some people who have low levels of self-esteem tend to be too hard on themselves, overvaluing those aspects that they consider negative about themselves or their real defects, and ignoring all the positive things they have. For example, they assume that their achievements are a product of luck or the help of others, and that failures are always their sole responsibility.
The best way to have a high level of self-esteem is to accept who we really are without generating an overly negative view of ourselves or nor by exercising too harsh a judgment on those things we need to improve.
3. Healthy lifestyle habits
Healthy lifestyle habits are essential to leading a healthy life, something that also very decisively affects the level of self-esteem of any person. When we feel physically well, it is easier to have a constructive vision about ourselves and our abilities.
Exercising frequently, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, having healthy sleeping habits or keeping our minds busy with intellectually demanding activities are some of the habits we can follow to be better with ourselves and improve self-esteem.
4. Get out of the comfort zone
Some people tend to live their lives without taking any risks, protecting themselves from any activity or event that may put them to the test, for fear of failing or revealing some of their own shortcomings, real or imagined.
In order to improve as people and prosper daily, It is important that we take some reasonable risks and let’s put our abilities to the test, no matter what other people say.
In this way, it is likely that we will end up overcoming our fears and complexes, and discover qualities in ourselves that we did not know we had.
5. Avoid labels
Putting immovable labels on ourselves and on the people around us is a way of seeing reality that is too simple, since people constantly evolve and change.
This means having thoughts about oneself such as “I’m stupid, I’m clumsy, or I’m useless,” since having difficulties in some areas of professional or academic performance does not mean that the person will be that way permanently.
That is why it is important to value people and ourselves in a deeper and more global way, taking into account all aspects of their personality.
6. Be proactive
A proactive attitude is one of the most beneficial drivers of self-esteem improvement that exists for any person, regardless of their occupation and socioeconomic level.
Human beings live happier when we have goals to achieve and as long as it is not at the cost of harming another person, Having an interest in achieving them is a good way to achieve greater self-esteem upon reaching those goals.
7. Value what you have
Being grateful in life for the people who are good to us and valuing the good things we have in our daily lives is one of the best strategies we can follow to be better with ourselves and improve self-esteem.
In addition to that, it is also highly recommended to value life’s material possessions less and focus on what really makes sense such as love for our loved ones, friendship, loyalty and happiness in general.
8. Don’t get obsessed
Some people become excessively obsessed with the goals they set throughout their lives, whether personal or professional, and when they fail to achieve them they end up becoming frustrated and feeling bad.
To prevent this from happening, it is recommended do not base our self-esteem only on a professional, knowledge or social field or area. That means that if we don’t get the job of our dreams but we have been lucky in love and interpersonal relationships, we should value the positive things we have and look forward.
9. Cultivate rich and healthy interpersonal relationships
Having an active social life with healthy social and romantic relationships is one of the best ways we can achieve a good level of self-esteem in our lives.
That is why we must always remember take care of our friends, our family and also our partners.
10. Be yourself
Finally, it should be noted that another strategy that we can follow to be better with ourselves is to always be honest and act according to our personal principles and values.
Some people tend to pretend when they are in society, giving up who they really are and giving up their personal principles; This usually causes them discomfort and can negatively affect their self-esteem.
Are you looking for professional psychological support?
If you are interested in having professional psychological support, contact us.
My name is Ester Fernández, I am a psychologist and coach and I offer my services in person and online.
