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Low Self-Esteem

Self-Esteem is basically the way you feel about yourself. If you generally feel good about yourself then you have a “high self-esteem,” but if you feel bad about yourself then you have what’s called a low self-esteem.

Self Esteem is like weight, it can go up and down throughout the weeks, months, and years. At sometimes you may feel like you have high self-esteem and then something might happen that knocks you or shakes you, which results in you feeling less confident. Read and watch some tips below on how you can learn to feel better about yourself.

I wrote Need To Know for all of you out there who struggle with your self-esteem. I believe we are each unique and special, and designed for a purpose. It might help you to take a listen as you scroll through this section.

Top Tips for combatting low self esteem

1. If you are feeling persistently low, visit your GP who will ask you to fill out a depression screening questionnaire. The questionnaire asks you questions about how you are feeling. He/she may prescribe some medication, and or signpost you to a counselling service. Some GP surgeries have in-house counselling available. Wait times can be long so it’s a good idea to begin your healing process by undertaking some of the activities listed below.

2. Talk to someone you love and trust about how you are feeling, whether that be a friend, a family member, a teacher, or a youth worker.

3. Start some interval based exercise every other day. Interval training is where you do an activity slow for a number of minutes, and then fast for a number of minutes. 

4. Get out in good weather to boost vitamin D levels.

5. Eat a healthy balanced diet, three meals and two to three snacks per day to keep your blood sugars stable.

6. Try to think more positively. Ask yourself, what is the fairest and balanced way of looking at this?  For example, you may think, ‘I texted my friend the other day and she didn’t reply, she must have fallen out with me…’ The more fair and realistic thought would be, “Maybe she’s run out of phone credit and can’t reply. Or, maybe her battery has died and she’s lost her charger. Or, maybe she read my message and then got distracted with something else. Or, I hope she is OK, it’s not like her to ignore me, I’d better give her a call.” Rather than jumping to negative conclusions, thinking more fair and realistic thoughts can help us to feel more positive about ourselves and each other.

7. Try some online CBT. Mood Gym is a good programme to try.

8. Google ‘solutions to low mood.’

9. If sleep is a problem, which it can be when you are feeling low, why not try some relaxation techniques. You can find more information on relaxation in the anxiety section and the eating disorders section. 

10. Keep a “positives” diary. Write a diary or journal with all the positive things people say to you, whether it’s face to face, on the phone, or via text message or social media. Also add all your achievements, or one thing that you are grateful for each day. Keeping track of all the good things in your world could help to improve your mood.

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