How About a Self Esteem Boost??

What does good self-esteem look like?  It is when we are thinking, feeling, and acting in a way that shows that we respect, accept, and believe in ourselves.  It also implies that we trust ourselves and who we are.  Self-esteem is not a constant.  It is variable and experiences many ups and downs, highs and lows, which can be affected by a number of the different things we encounter in life; both good and bad.Here is a fantastic way to boost or to move toward a healthier self-esteem:TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!      HERE’S HOW: One way to take care of yourself is to engage in self-nurturing activities such as taking a warm bath, get a massage, walk on a scenic path, have a manicure, go to the park and feed ducks, take a “mental health day” off from work, read a book, watch a movie… There are a million small, everyday things you can do to take care of yourself.Another way is to focus attention on and meet the needs of your whole self.Body - Exercise daily.  Eat healthy.  Get good sleep.  Try to get yourself into a comfortable, healthy sleep routine and schedule.  That is the best way to ensure a good nights rest.Feelings - Allow yourself some emotional self-expression.  Talk to a friend or do art!  There is a great article in the Washington post that discusses how coloring is not just for kids.  It is a great way for adults, as well, to generate wellness, quietness, and stimulate the brain.(Check out the whole article at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2015/03/24/coloring-books-for-grown-ups-can-ease-stress-and-calm-the-inner-child/)Mind - Start learning how to block out your negative self-talk.  Practice positive self talk and recite statements of affirmation.  Give yourself time in your day for meditation… even if that is just some quiet down time.Lastly, one of the best ways to take care of yourself is by cultivating a relationship with your inner child.  Often times a sense of low self-esteem can develop from trials or traumas that we have experienced in our past.  This means that cultivating a relationship with our inner child can help us to heal. Your inner child is that part of you which feels like a little girl or boy.  It is the part of you that expresses your emotional needs for love and belonging.  It is a creative part of you.  And, it is also that part of you that carries pain and emotional trauma from your past.In order to cultivate a relationship with your inner child you can write a letter to yourself as a child expressing love and care, you can look at photographs of childhood, or one of my personal favorites is to do real-life activities that remind you of being a child.  You can hug a stuffed animal, go play on a playground, play with your own child as if you were a peer, climb a tree, or engage in any other activity you loved doing as a kid.Take note: if you are having a hard time accepting your inner child or thinking kindly towards him or her, don’t worry, that is a normal response when you have experienced trauma.  However, it may be a good idea to seek counseling to help you begin a healing process.Our self-esteem is something that can change with our experiences.  Taking care of yourself and taking time for you is a great way to build it up.  Again, if you find that doing any of these things is difficult, there may be some healing that does need to take place.  We are happy to help with your own self worth however we can, so don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment.  It is never a bad idea to get some extra help.  We all need it!