Surgery-Free Ways To Boost Your Self-Esteem by Dakota Murphey
A positive self-esteem impacts our overall mental health and outlook on life. If we are feeling great about ourselves and our lives, then it’s only natural that we feel upbeat and more confident.
With a higher sense of self-esteem our coping skills are stronger, we can take on adversity better and it’s easier to put negative moments into perspective. For many of us, our self-esteem is closely linked to how we look and feel in our skin so it’s important to find ways to give ourselves a regular confidence boost.
The risks of low self-esteem
With low self-esteem, we are more likely to feel down whenever things aren’t going well for us. It is closely linked to our mental health and can swing depending on how our circumstances are changing. Those who suffer from low self-esteem are more likely to engage in risky behaviours, be more susceptible to depression and react negatively to criticism.
A study from 2021 to 2022 found that 4 in every 5 UK women do not feel confident in the way they look. With a lack of confidence affecting many women, here are some great surgery-free ways to help boost your self-esteem.
Changing your hair
Good hair can make you feel like a million dollars and it’s important to so many of us for our sense of self-esteem. If you find yourself in a rut, a drastic hair change could be exactly what the doctor ordered. From going with a bold new colour to a complete style change, there is something to be said for being brave and trying something new.
Even something as simple as a new hair treatment can make you feel much better about yourself. Often, hair is the first thing many people will notice about you so change things up every so often and start counting the compliments you get!
Seeking outside help
A problem shared is a problem halved and if you find yourself struggling to boost your self-esteem, perhaps it’s time to speak to someone who can help. Low self-esteem counselling can help you to overcome feelings of shyness, a fear of change or feelings of inadequacy or help you to become more assertive and confident. With a new sense of confidence found through counselling, you’ll be ready to take on the world and all of its naysayers.
Enjoying a little retail therapy
There is a lot to be said for some retail therapy, especially in the modern world where you don’t even have to leave the house to buy yourself something new and shiny. And after all, when you look good, you feel good!
To boost your self-esteem, the NHS recommends that you identify the negative beliefs you have about yourself and challenge them. So, if you think your style requires revamping then it’s time for a declutter and shopping spree. A wardrobe upgrade can help to empower your feelings of confidence, helping to raise your beauty self-esteem and start making careful decisions about what you wear.
Consider stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new that can replace some tired items from your collection. For example, browsing vintage stores for those quirky one-off items can help put some confidence back into your sense of style.
Showering for pleasure
Self-care is an important aspect of our self-esteem and making the time to focus on ourselves for a while helps boost positive feelings, which builds our self-love, self-confidence and self-esteem. One simple way to make time for self-care is to treat your showers or baths like they are a beauty treatment.
From scented body wash to relaxing bath oil, taking your time while washing rather than treating it like a race can help set you up for the day ahead and wash off any stress in the evening. Give your hair the extra attention it deserves and enjoy a proper skincare routine to help add a little luxury into your otherwise hectic life, boosting your self-esteem by helping you feel relaxed and treated more often.
Exercising boosts your outlook
Exercise is an important element of a balanced and healthy lifestyle and it’s more than simply sweating in the gym to try and make yourself look better. In fact, it’s better to find an exercise that you enjoy but that pushes you to ensure that you keep coming back for more.
Whether that be lifting weights, going for a run, open water swimming or joining a tennis club, the endorphin rush you feel once you have completed a workout can swell your sense of self-worth.
You will feel better and stronger after exercise and it gives you a sense of accomplishment once completed. Exercise helps stimulate brain power while a natural byproduct of doing exercise is that it can transform how you look as you improve your fitness.
