10 Tips to Deal with Low Self-Esteem

10 Tips to Deal with Low Self-Esteem

A common theme that is among patients/clients and general public too, are issues related to self-esteem and confidence. We all have those days we wake up and feel low, about the way we look, our achievements and relationships. We often fight with our own inner critic. Here are some tips to help manage low self-esteem:

  1. Start a compliment Jar: For an entire month, write down something you like/love about yourself every single day. From your ability to write well or how much you like your eye colour, any compliment that’s truly positive counts. At the end of the month, go through your positive thoughts and reflect on them.
  2. Start live for now: Low self-esteem is often a problem putting too much emphasis on things that can’t be changed or that are too far in the future to tell the outcome. I’m not talented enough, I’m going to fail- stop thinking these thoughts and live in the now. Say out aloud cancel thought, each time anything negative comes to minds.
  3. Keep a Journal: When you write down your feelings, you get them out in a healthy way. Once you release them through stick and freeform writing, close your journal for the say and don’t open it again until it’s time to write again.
  4. Become aware of your negativity: When you catch yourself being negative, actively acknowledge it. When you recognise your negativity, you give your chance to respond with positivity.You can do this by thinking of something or someone your grateful for that can help you switch to feels of gratitude.
  5. Ask yourself “if”…: “if someone else was in my position, would I make them feel negatively?” Sometimes looking objectively at yourself and your situation can make you feel more positive.
  6. Have conversations with yourself: Instead of falling back on verbal onslaughts with yourself, start talking to yourself, start talking to yourself like an adult. Converse with yourself. Why are you feeling like you do? How can you make it better?
  7. Stop judging yourself and others: Normally those with low self-esteem are also very negative in other areas of their life. If you find yourself criticizing others, stop this practice. Be more positive about others, and in all areas of your life.
  8. Start Meditation: Doing something relaxing can help you become more positive with yourself. Try and let go of all your inner anxiety and breath for 15 minutes a day -or more. This can be done when your having a bath, going for mindful walk or preferably first thing in the morning.
  9. Learn to let it all go: Disconnecting from what’s making you anxious can sometimes be the best thing for you. When you have low self-esteem, learn to not push so much investment into what you’re upset about yourself.  A wise man once said to me ‘So What’, nothing in life will kill you only if you allow it to. So do not let anyone or anything come into your inner circle. Protect your mind and thoughts.
  10. Be an active participant in your life: Don’t be a backseat driver. When you let your emotions run your life, your aren’t truly in control. Start actively participating in your life to help you develop  a more positive attitude. Such as physical activity, grooming activities and making time for your own self-care techniques.

Just look after yourself, your number one, no one else will take good care of you the way you do. So love, life and smile. You deserve to feel good, and remember these words Self-care, Self-care, and Self-care. Remember we are all human.

By Dr Farah Nadeem

Psychologist

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