10 Ways To improve Self Esteem

1. Shut Off Your Inner Critic
2. Write Down What You Appreciate About Yourself
3. Be Kinder Towards Other People
4. Stop Comparing Yourself With Others
5. Spend More Time With Supportive People
6. Exercise
7. Get The Right Amount Of Sleep
8. Learn To Forgive
9. Learn A New Skill Or Passion
10. Cleanse Your Home

 

Sushi Fitness is a health and fitness site geared towards Martial Artists. We focus on practical skill and training for competition and self-defense. That is Martial Skill.

We also explore other aspects of Martial Arts including meditation, confidence, and overcoming fear. Many people will begin a Martial Art for these attributes to assist in their personal growth.

Self-esteem and confidence are a critical instrument in a martial artist’s toolbox. With this article we want to explore 10 ways to improve self-esteem.

 

    1. Shut Off Your Inner Critic

That innermost enemy that can affect every facet of our lives, including our self-esteem. Mindfulness, in recognizing when the inner critic is talking is the first step to shut off your inner critic. Most people don’t even realize the inner critic’s existence.

Stop yourself the next time you’re aware of feeling apprehensive, fearful, or insecure. Recognize the voice of the inner critic and learn to shut him out.

Our brain can only occupy one thought at a time. Replace the inner critic with a positive thought.

You’ll find over time, the more conscious you are of the inner critic and the more often you replace him, the less you’ll have to do it.

 

    2.Write Down What You Appreciate About Yourself

Studies have shown there is a correlation between writing down goals and success. With this practice your goal is improving your self-esteem.

Write down each day what you appreciate about yourself. This is your chance to brag!

 

    3. Be Kinder Towards Other People

An easy way to feel good about yourself and improve your self-esteem is by being kind to others. Acts of kindness can change the way we see ourselves, how we perceive others, and how they perceive us.

Studies have found that 95% report feeling good about themselves when they help someone. 53% report feeling happier and more optimistic. The best thing is most (81%) claimed those feelings last hours or even days!

Below is a great video of Botlhale Tshetlo talking about 38 random acts of kindness she carried out on her birthday, and the benefits she received from it.

    4. Stop Comparing Yourself With Others

As Theodore Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” The quickest path to discontent is the trap of comparison.

Comparing yourself to others is an easy way to lower your self-esteem. With social media you see them on exotic vacations. You look at the most beautiful people in television and movies.

We compare ourselves to these people and ask why we don’t have a body like her. Why aren’t we living a great life on some exotic beach in the tropics?

The comparison game is one that we cannot win. Don’t play unwinnable games!

 

    5. Spend More Time With Supportive People

We are greatly influenced by those that we are closest with. Our relationships affect our way of thinking and of course, our self-esteem.

Jim Rohn has a famous quote, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

Revisit and reevaluate the relationships you have. Are you surrounded by inspiring and supportive people?

 

    6. Exercise

The greatest way I feel for us to improve our self-esteem is to begin a consistent exercise program. With exercise we Lose weight, get stronger, shape our body, and create a positive chemical change within ourselves.

Exercise will release endorphins which provide a feeling of happiness and confidence. Exercise provides countless benefits to improve self-esteem.

 

    7. Get The Right Amount Of Sleep

Adequate sleep is connected to positive personality traits. In a study presented by International Journal of Behavioral Medicine. Individuals were monitored to test the relationship between confidence and self-esteem with insomnia symptoms and duration of sleep.

Independent of age and sex, individuals with insomnia indications scored lower on optimism and self-esteem. Short sleep duration of less than 6 hours was related to lower optimism and self-esteem when compared to individuals sleeping 7–8 hours. Long sleep duration, over 9 hours was also linked to low optimism and self-esteem.

 

    8. Learn To Forgive

Most religions teach concepts about forgiveness. Long before we had the science to verify, as humans we understood the benefits of forgiveness.

Studies show that we are happier and healthier when we forgive. Just thinking about forgiveness can lead to better cardiovascular and nervous system functions.

Forgiveness can be a learned practice, as presented in the book “Forgive for Good”. In three separate studies it was found that individuals who learned how to forgive became more optimistic and self-confident. These same studies also showed a decrease in stress and an increase in vitality.

 

    9. Learn A New Skill Or Passion

Have you ever wanted to learn how to play a guitar or learn a new language?

Learning new skills can change your brain chemistry which will lead to countless benefits. When we learn something new, we expand our understanding and reach for our potential.

There is evidence to suggest that learning new things seems to have its most positive impact on self-esteem and self-reliance.

 

    10. Cleanse Your Home

There is a Buddhist concept called, esho funi, which means “oneness of life and its environment.” Simplify and reduce the clutter in your home life. Similar to holding on to negative thoughts and feelings, we often hold on to material possessions that can weigh us down as well.

Take a weekend to go through your house and clean out your closets, attic, basements, and all the spaces you are storing things. I’m sure you’ll find clothes and items you haven’t used for years. Box up those items and get them out of your house. Have a yard sale or donate them to charity.

 

Even if you’re not a martial artist, and you found this article, I hope it can be a benefit to you.

Which of the 10 ways to improve self-esteem most jumped out to you and you are going to implement into your daily habits?