3 Proven Tips To Build Your Self Esteem

Do you want to feel good about yourself?

Of course you do. Everyone does. Feeling positive about yourself is crucial to health, wealth and happiness. Having a positive outlook on your own life and loving yourself as a person will keep you up beat and help you avoid depression. There is no doubt that depression affects millions of Americans, maybe especially those who are addicted to drugs.

If you are feeling depressed, it is okay. We all have bad days. What is important is that you continue to push forward because it won't last forever. Eventually, you will get through this tough time and come out the other end stronger than ever.

Sometimes the toughest thing about depression is getting over that first hump. Keeping self-esteem is easier than getting it. For this reason, I put together a list of things that always help me when I am in a funk. Hope it helps :)

1 - Get up. Dress up. Show up.

This is so important. I have seen so many people (many of whom I care for dearly) get stuck in bed for weeks because of depression. Many times this leads to relapse or just prolonged abuse.

There is no trick or magic pill to this. You just have to tell yourself that no matter what you will get out of bed in the morning, you will get in the shower and out of your sweat pants, and show up to whatever it is you need to do.

This may not completely cure the blues, but getting stuck in bed all day is guaranteed to keep you feeling like shit about yourself. Sometimes, not every time, depression can go away on its own through continued action.

You can not think or feel yourself into having good self-esteem. It must be done through action.

2 - Do Esteemable Things!

It can really be that simple!

If you want to feel good about yourself, then you must do things that make you feel good. In my opinion, this works best when you are helping other people.

Helping other people is selfless... or is it? Yes, when you help other people the point is to give but in return you get to feel good about what you have done and having had a positive impact on another person's life.

There are many things you can do that will improve your self-esteem. Here is a check list in case you need a jump.

• volunteer at a soup kitchen.
• clean up a public park.
• volunteer at a dog or animal shelter. (my personal favorite. Dogs rule!)
• call someone who you know is struggling and ask them how you can help.
• bring someone out to lunch who couldn't usually afford it.

The list is endless. The point is that getting out of your head and helping someone else is a fool-proof way to build self-esteem. Every second you spend thinking about someone else, is a second you spend not thinking about yourself and your problems.

3 - Go Get Sweaty

Look, this is a no-brainer. The physical, mental and emotional health benefits of exercise have been studied and proven. Exercise will make you feel great for a few reasons.

First, if you exercise and watch your diet you will look good. Call it what you want, but when you look good you feel good. Taking care of your body and your appearance does not mean you are self-absorbed, it means you respect yourself enough to take yourself seriously.

Second, exercise is a natural high. When people can sober, many times we see them get into exercise because it is a replacement for the high they used to feel. Except this time, the high is actually good for you! What could be better than that?

There is a reason that cross-fitters always talk about cross-fit. It's because it makes them feel amazing. Now I am by no means suggesting you need to do a million burpies and backflips to be in shape, but everyone should watch what they eat and get their heart rate up at least 3 to 4 times a week. 

Don't sit or sulk or tell yourself that you can't do it. Just do it. Start slow, set realistic goals, but get your ass up and exercise. You wont regret it!

We Believe In You

I get it. Feeling shitty about yourself is the worst. Sometimes you just feel depressed and you don't know why. You are strong, you are bigger than your pain and your problems. Get going! Get moving! Do something every day that will make you feel good about before you know it you will have a pep in your step and a smile on your face!

Have fun fam!