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How to Love Yourself More for Better Self-Esteem

Self kindness and self care is the key to a positive mindset

Throughout life we are told to be nice to others and “treat them like you want to be treated.” And while it is true that being mindful, compassionate and kind to others is important, it is equally, if not more essential, to practice the same sort of care for yourself.

It’s no secret that the way we speak to ourselves impacts on the way that we feel and our sense of self-confidence.

In fact, according to Health Direct, research has shown that positive self-talk can improve a range of things like self-esteem, stress management, improve your body image as well as reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety and personality disorders.

And what goes hand in hand with self kindness? A little bit of self care!

The time and effort we put into ourselves both physically and mentally has a tremendous effect on the positivity that we feel day to day. Putting aside the time to focus on yourself and what you enjoy allows you to check in with how you are feeling and boost feelings of self love and kindness.

How to practice self kindness

According to BeyondBlue, everyone has an ‘inner critic’ that arises in some shape or form from time to time. However, they say that self kindness is all about finding ways to manage that critic and make room for positive thinking instead.

It’s true, practicing self kindness doesn’t always come naturally, especially when you’re feeling anxious, concerned or stressed about what’s going on around you. However, there are some simple things you can do each day to remind yourself what you love about you!

This could mean writing yourself positive notes and sticking them on your mirror each morning, giving yourself mental affirmations when you achieve a goal, keeping a journal of the things you are proud of or even scribbling down any negative thoughts you have and then throwing them away.

While no one expects you to feel positive every minute of the day, by taking small steps to encourage self love and kindness, you may be surprised at what it does to boost your overall mood and outlook on life around you.

How to practice self care

Taking time to focus on yourself is a crucial element in keeping a healthy mindset, even when life seems its busiest.

Choosing a moment in the day to practice solitude and reflection, whether that’s in the morning, midday, evening or somewhere in between, can be a simple way to care for yourself.

No matter if you are working, not working, raising a family or studying at uni, there are a whole bunch of things you can do to look after yourself, it’s all about what suits you.

If you are the more indoorsy type, it may be as easy as running yourself a warm bath, doing a facemask, meditating, doing a round of yoga, cuddling up with your favourite book or even baking up a storm in the kitchen. Or, if you prefer to clear your mind outdoors, you could go for a run, swim or even go catch a wave.

Whatever you choose, make sure to take the time for yourself, and always remember you are just as important as the people around you.

References:

Health Direct: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/self-talk
Beyond Blue: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/personal-best/pillar/supporting-yourself/when-your-inner-critic-is-giving-you-a-tough-time

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