Self Esteem Down Due to Tough Times? – Give it a Boost

When you’re going through a difficult time in life, it can be hard to think about boosting your self-esteem. It seems hard enough to attempt to boost self-esteem when times are good. During times of struggle it can be especially hard to feel good about ourselves. Events like illness, loss of employment, or relationship break-ups can hit you hard and take a toll your self-esteem. You may be thinking that these issues are entirely your fault and that if you were somehow “better” then it wouldn’t have happened at all. Normally, you would realize that this type of rationale isn’t realistic, but during times of stress, it’s easy to think this way. These strategies can give your self-esteem a boost when times get tough: 1.) Focus on what is good. It’s easy to dwell on all the bad that is happening to you, but during tough times, it’s especially important to remind yourself of all the good that surrounds you as well. * Make a list of what is special in your life. Whether it’s a great spouse, fabulous kids, or even just having a place to live. * Making yourself aware of these good things not only makes you feel better, but helps you to see that they couldn’t have happened without you and your positive contributions. * Going through difficult times is all part of the normal maturation process. Everyone faces a hard time at one point or another in their lives. Like my grandma used to always say “this too shall pass”. 2.) Carve out some “you” time. You are the most important person in your life. If you are not taking care of yourself, there is no way you can effectively take care of others around you. During periods of exacerbated stress, it’s more important than ever to make time for yourself. * Pick a friend whom you trust or a family member and spend some time doing something you really enjoy. This will help you to relax and regroup and blow off some steam. * Choose an activity you can do alone that gives you pleasure. Take a bath, read a book, go for a walk alone. This can be a great stress relief and make you feel better. 3.) Your situation will improve – believe it! Your mind will follow your instructions. If you believe that things will get worse then they will. If you honestly believe that things will get better, then your mind will put you in situations to make that come true. * Having the belief that things will get better will help you to feel more confident about yourself and keep you feeling more positive. This attitude will provide you with the forward progress you need to get past this trying time. At some point or another, we are all going to go through a difficult time, whether prepared for it or not. Understanding that changing your negative thoughts into something more positive and productive will not only help improve your self-esteem during times of stress, it will strengthen your chances for a better outcome.