5 Ways Increase Your Self-Esteem and Have a More Positive Life Outlook

Available for Interviews: Dr. Alice Fong

Alice Fong, ND, is an integrative naturopathic doctor specializing in stress, integrative medicine, diet & weight loss, and is a business growth consultant for holistic healthcare providers.

What Dr. Alice Fong can say in an interview
on Self-Esteem:

Self-esteem is how you see your self-worth. It is your subjective evaluation of your worthiness. Your self-esteem can manifest in so many ways depending on how you evaluate yourself. High self-esteem could lead to confidence and a more positive outlook on life. Low self-esteem, on the other hand, can lead to self-pity, less confidence, fear of socializing, and a host of other negative feelings.

Here are some tips to help improve your self-esteem:

1. 1. Stop comparing yourself to other people. One important thing you should remember is that achievement doesn’t always equate to high self-esteem, although it can help you feel good about yourself. However, if this will always be the baseline for your self-worth then know that you can always expect a roadblock ahead. This is simply because there will always be people who can do better than us, and there will always be things we are unable to do. Your self-worth should never be measured against how successful other people around you are. Neither should it change because you fail to achieve something you want. A mindset of what I am doing now is never good enough, puts too much pressure on you.
   2. Be kind to yourself. Surpass any negative thoughts about yourself first before you can manage any negativity coming from others. Creating a baseline on how you should be treated is a good thing. It helps you define how people should treat you and sets healthy boundaries. Think poorly of yourself, then you might also think that others should treat you poorly, too. 
   3. Stop making assumptions. Stop thinking of what people think about you. Sometimes we tend to overthink and most of the time, we tend to think of the worst-case scenario. We think people don’t like us, they don’t want us to be their friends, or that they think we are not good enough. Learn to let go of these thoughts. Your worth is completely independent of what others think about you. Remember, those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.
   4. Meditate. The worst factor that can affect our self-esteem isn’t really from the outside but those little voices inside our heads that tell us that we are not good enough. Meditation can help acknowledge thoughts as simply thoughts and shift your focus back to the present moment.
   5. Get Professional Help. If you feel like your self-esteem is a result of past trauma or childhood wounds, it would be wise to consult a professional such as a therapist or counselor.  They are highly trained in exploring the deeper layers with you that can help you get to the source of your low self-esteem.