The Power of Habits: 5 Daily habits to boost Self Esteem

Are you ready to learn 5 daily habits to boost self esteem?

Have you ever found yourself feeling down on yourself, struggling with doubts and insecurities?

Maybe you find yourself comparing aspects of yourself to others, fixating on your imperfections, or doubting your worth.

If so, don’t worry, there is good news! You can develop habits that will enhance your self belief and embrace a greater sense of self confidence.

In this blog post I’ll reveal 5 daily habits to boost your self-esteem and overall happiness.

Why habits are so important in boosting your Self Esteem

I used to really struggle in the past, when I had no habits or the wrong habits for me. I felt stressed, unwell, neglected my mental health and behaved in ways that damaged my self esteem.

Although habits can feel restrictive and daunting, they will help you feel better and take better care of yourself. 

However, everyone’s habits will differ, because we all have our own goals and desires for how we want to feel. But by building habits that align with your individual needs, you’ll gain the motivation, energy and confidence.

Having healthy habits positively impacts all aspects of your life, from how you parent, your interactions with your loved ones to how you perceive yourself in the mirror.

These habits are intended to be used flexibly and adapted to your daily needs and circumstance. These habits will help you to avoid the pitfalls of fleeting motivation or inconsistency.

So, let’s dive into these 5 essential habits for healthy self esteem.

1. Self Care

When it comes to self-care, the key is to keep it flexible and tailored to your specific needs. For example, getting enough sleep or adjusting your exercise routine based on how you feel that day. We can’t rely solely on occasional spa breaks or a designated “Self-Care Sunday.” Incorporating small pockets of self-care throughout our daily lives is crucial. Even just 10 minutes can make a significant difference.

As women, we often take on multiple responsibilities and try to do it all. That’s why self-care is so important, it reminds us that we are a priority and reinforces our self-worth and self-esteem. Your choices, thoughts, and behaviours shape your brain’s understanding of what matters to you. Therefore, your daily habits have a significant impact on how you feel, think and behave.

To start making time for yourself, begin with small steps. Don’t overwhelm yourself with the expectation of having an hour to spare every day. Set boundaries and find ways to fit self-care into your routine. If you encounter challenges or barriers, let me know in the comments, and I’ll be there to support you.

It’s important to periodically assess your self-care habits. Over time, the same activities can lose their effectiveness. If something no longer energises or relaxes you as it once did, it’s time for a shake-up. Explore different practices that align with how you want to feel each day. Remember, self-care doesn’t have to look the same every day—it should evolve to meet your changing needs. 

I ask myself these questions everyday to help me check in with what self-care might best support me that day:

• How do I feel right now?
• How do I want to feel?
• What challenges or stressors am I /will I face today?
• What 1 action/activity would make today a good day for me?

These questions will help you to understand what self-care you need for that day.

2. Positive Self-Talk

The second habit that plays a crucial role in cultivating healthy self-esteem is practising positive self-talk. 

This habit involves making a conscious effort to call out and address the negative voice within you. The voice that constantly puts you down, focuses on your flaws, and tells you that you can’t achieve your goals. By developing a daily practice of challenging your negative self-talk, you can transform your mindset and boost your self-esteem.

Now I know that initially, the idea of tackling self-talk may seem overwhelming. 

Many of us have been conditioned to engage in negative self-talk without even realising it. It has just slowly become the default way we speak to ourselves and perceive the world around us. You may continuously criticise yourself, believing that everything is going wrong, and comparing yourself unfavourably to others.

However, it’s important to understand that this habit of negative self-talk can be changed. 

Step One – Become aware of it

The first step is to become aware of it. Begin listening to your inner voice and pay attention to the things you say to yourself throughout the day. Take note of the judgments, criticisms, and self-doubt that arise within you. This awareness is crucial because we cannot change something if we’re not aware that it exists.

Step Two – Challenge it

Once you’ve identified your negative self-talk patterns, it’s time to challenge them. Start by questioning whether the thoughts you’re having are helpful or supportive. 

In most cases, you’ll find that they are not. Acknowledge that the negative self-talk isn’t serving your well-being or self-esteem. This realisation opens the door for reframing those thoughts and replacing them with more positive and empowering ones.

The process of reframing your self-talk begins by asking yourself, “Is this thought helpful?”. If the answer is no, you can actively work on finding alternative perspectives and constructive ways of thinking. This can be as simple as consciously choosing to shift your focus to more encouraging and uplifting thoughts.

To make your positive self-talk more effective, aim it directly at countering the specific negative thoughts you’ve identified. You can do this by creating your own affirmations that address the main areas you tend to criticise yourself in. By doing so, you create a direct and targeted approach to challenging and transforming your negative self-talk.

Step Three – Be patient and kind to yourself

Remember that this is a gradual process that requires time and patience. Don’t expect to completely overhaul your self-talk overnight. Instead, view it as a journey of self-discovery and growth. Over time, your positive self-talk will become more natural and automatic. Celebrate each small step you take towards more positive and nurturing self-talk.

It’s important to acknowledge that everyone experiences negative self-talk to some degree. It’s a natural reaction to fear, uncertainty, and various life situations. So, you’re not alone in this struggle. 

3. Celebrate Progress

The third habit essential for nurturing healthy self-esteem is celebrating our victories, big and small. It’s important to acknowledge things that are going well in your life, your positive qualities, and your accomplishments.

Your brain is wired to focus on the negative. So it’s normal to find it easier to notice challenges and setbacks over successes. However, amidst the difficulties, there are always moments of success. Even on tough days, there’s something positive to celebrate.

For example, if you’re struggling with mental health or having a bad body image day, recognise the small wins. Acknowledge the fact that you got out of bed or took care of yourself by getting sufficient rest. These may seem like insignificant achievements, but they demonstrate resilience and strength.

It’s easy to overlook the daily acts of self-care, personal growth, and resilience you display. Take a moment to pay attention to these moments and give yourself credit. You are stronger than you think, and each day you are making progress in some way.

Don’t underestimate the power of celebrating yourself. When you handle a setback well, set boundaries, or prioritise self-care, take pride in those choices. By celebrating these achievements, you reinforce your self-esteem and build a positive mindset.

So, let’s make it a habit to intentionally celebrate ourselves and the things that are going well. Embrace the wins, no matter how small they may seem, and acknowledge the strength and resilience you demonstrate each day. It’s time to celebrate yourself and cultivate a positive outlook on life.

4. Surround yourself with positive people

The fourth habit crucial for cultivating healthy self-esteem is to create a positive environment by surrounding yourself with positive people. It may sound obvious, but take a moment to reflect on the people you interact with throughout your day. Are they constantly complaining, focusing on the negative, criticising others or themselves? Consider their self-talk and behaviours. Are they generally positive or negative?

It’s difficult to improve your self talk if you spend a lot of time with people who have negative self-talk. 

For example, if you’re trying to break free from obsessing over calorie counting or weight, but those around you still are, it can feel like an uphill battle. Similarly, if you’re pursuing a new goal or passion, but your partner or colleagues are unsupportive and critical, it can hinder your progress.

It’s not always possible to remove negative people from your life, but you can set boundaries and limit their impact on you. 

Additionally, it’s essential to build your own positive environment. Find networks of like-minded people who are going through similar journeys. Seek out communities, such as my Self Esteem Society, where hundreds of women are transforming their relationship with themselves. Surround yourself with people who are supportive, uplifting, and on a similar path can make a significant difference.

If you’re struggling and feeling down, being around negative individuals can drag you further into negativity and self-doubt. Whereas, being around positive people can help you reframe your thoughts and focus on the positives. While it may not turn a difficult day into a perfect one, their presence makes it more manageable. It reinforces the belief that tomorrow is a new opportunity, and today you can prioritise self-care and start fresh. 

Having that support, accountability, motivation, and general understanding that you are enough and can keep going is truly invaluable.

So be intentional about surrounding yourself with positive influences. Seek out individuals who uplift you and provide the support you need. Remember that your environment plays a significant role in shaping your self-esteem and overall well-being. Choose to cultivate a positive circle of people who can help you navigate the challenging days and remind you of your worth.

5. Get enough sleep

The fifth essential habit for nurturing healthy self-esteem is ensuring you get enough sleep. Think about how you feel when you don’t get sufficient rest. Perhaps, like me, inadequate sleep leaves you feeling tired, unmotivated, irritable, and prone to making choices that don’t serve you. 

Poor sleep significantly impacts your overall well-being and how you show up in your day-to-day life. 

Prioritising sleep is crucial for cultivating a positive relationship with your body and self. When you’re well-rested, you’re also more likely to engage in other beneficial habits such as exercising, practicing mindfulness, or connecting with friends.

While a good night’s sleep doesn’t magically solve all problems, it empowers you to handle them better. It provides the energy and clarity needed to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and grace. I encourage you to prioritise and focus on getting quality sleep because it truly forms the foundation for everything else.

Making sleep a priority will have a positive impact on your overall well-being and self-esteem. Adequate rest allows you to face the world with a refreshed mind, heightened motivation, and more confidence.

Your Habits are Powerful

In this blog, we’ve explored the power of habits in boosting self-esteem. Remember, your habits are unique to you, so it’s essential to identify your goals and desired feelings. We’ve discussed five daily habits, practising self-compassion, focusing on strengths, setting achievable goals, prioritising self-care, and surrounding yourself with positivity. 

Now it’s time for you to take action. Choose one or two of these habits and commit to practising them consistently over the next few weeks. Be patient with yourself and celebrate your progress along the way. By incorporating these small changes into your daily routine, you’ll gradually build a more positive and confident sense of self.

While getting started with new habits can be challenging, once they are in place, life becomes easier and they will transform how you perceive yourself and engage with the world. 

If you’re ready to create a more positive self-image and boost your self esteem, you can download my 7 ways to boost your Self Esteem and Body Image here for even more tips to get started.