Building Self-esteem A Self-Help Guide given from Terry Unwin
Things You Can Do Right Away—Every Day—to Raise Your Self-esteemPay attention to your own needs and wants. Listen to what your body, your mind, and your heart are telling you. For instance, if your body is telling you that you have been sitting down too long, stand up and stretch. If your heart is longing to spend more time with a special friend, do it. If your mind is telling you to clean up your basement, listen to your favorite music, or stop thinking bad thoughts about yourself, take those thoughts seriously.
Take very good care of yourself. As you were growing up you may not have learned how to take good care of yourself. In fact, much of your attention may have been on taking care of others, on just getting by, or on "behaving well." Begin today to take good care of yourself. Treat yourself as a wonderful parent would treat a small child or as one very best friend might treat another. If you work at taking good care of yourself, you will find that you feel better about yourself. Here are some ways to take good care of yourself:
Eat healthy foods and avoid junk foods (foods containing a lot of sugar, salt, or fat). A healthy daily diet is usually:
five or six servings of vegetables and fruit
six servings of whole grain foods like bread, pasta, cereal, and rice two servings of protein foods like beef, chicken, fish, cheese, cottage cheese, or yogurt
Exercise. Moving your body helps you to feel better and improves your self-esteem. Arrange a time every day or as often as possible when you can get some exercise, preferably outdoors. You can do many different things. Taking a walk is the most common. You could run, ride a bicycle, play a sport, climb up and down stairs several times, put on a tape, or play the radio and dance to the music–anything that feels good to you. If you have a health problem that may restrict your ability to exercise, check with your doctor before beginning or changing your exercise habits.
Do personal hygiene tasks that make you feel better about yourself–things like taking a regular shower or bath, washing and styling your hair, trimming your nails, brushing and flossing your teeth.
Have a physical examination every year to make sure you are in good health. Plan fun activities for yourself. Learn new things every day.
Take time to do things you enjoy. You may be so busy, or feel so badly about yourself, that you spend little or no time doing things you enjoy--things like playing a musical instrument, doing a craft project, flying a kite, or going fishing. Make a list of things you enjoy doing. Then do something from that list every day. Add to the list anything new that you discover you enjoy doing.
Get something done that you have been putting off. Clean out that drawer. Wash that window. Write that letter. Pay that bill.
Do things that make use of your own special talents and abilities. For instance, if you are good with your hands, then make things for yourself, family, and friends. If you like animals, consider having a pet or at least playing with friends' pets.
Dress in clothes that make you feel good about yourself. If you have little money to spend on new clothes, check out thrift stores in your area.
Give yourself rewards—you are a great person. Listen to a CD or tape.
Spend time with people who make you feel good about yourself—people who treat you well. Avoid people who treat you badly.
Make your living space a place that honors the person you are. Whether you live in a single room, a small apartment, or a large home, make that space comfortable and attractive for you. If you share your living space with others, have some space that is just for you--a place where you can keep your things and know that they will not be disturbed and that you can decorate any way you choose.
Display items that you find attractive or that remind you of your achievements or of special times or people in your life. If cost is a factor, use your creativity to think of inexpensive or free ways that you can add to the comfort and enjoyment of your space.
Make your meals a special time. Turn off the television, radio, and stereo. Set the table, even if you are eating alone. Light a candle or put some flowers or an attractive object in the center of the table. Arrange your food in an attractive way on your plate. If you eat with others, encourage discussion of pleasant topics. Avoid discussing difficult issues at meals.
Take advantage of opportunities to learn something new or improve your skills. Take a class or go to a seminar. Many adult education programs are free or very inexpensive. For those that are more costly, ask about a possible scholarship or fee reduction.
Begin doing those things that you know will make you feel better about yourself—like going on a diet, beginning an exercise program or keeping your living space clean.
Do something nice for another person. Smile at someone who looks sad. Say a few kind words to the check-out cashier. Help your spouse with an unpleasant chore. Take a meal to a friend who is sick. Send a card to an acquaintance. Volunteer for a worthy organization.
Make it a point to treat yourself well every day. Before you go to bed each night, write about how you treated yourself well during the day.
You may be doing some of these things now. There will be others you need to work on. You will find that you will continue to learn new and better ways to take care of yourself. As you incorporate these changes into your life, your self-esteem will continue to improve.
APPROACHES TO KNOWING AND RECONNECTING WITH YOURSELF by Tami Walker
Journal: Writing your thoughts on paper can be profound. The process of journaling can support you in learning what you are afraid of, what you are passionate about and what you aspire to. Begin by writing as if you were talking with yourself. Take about 20 mins. Write about how you are feeling, what is exciting you, what is bothering you or about the day ahead of you. Enjoy the process of establishing a connection with you through the written word.
Meditation: This is about observing yourself in the present moment. Take 10 quiet moments and sit comfortably meditating. Just allow yourself to be still.
Move: Exercise can be a meditation in and of itself. If you are the type of person who has a really hard time slowing down, this may be a great way to committing some time to be with yourself.
Walk: walking is a moving meditation, it allows you to slow down and see what is going on around you. Walking can allow you to focus on being fully present while indulging in the moment you find so vital. It can provide you with an opportunity to mull over something that may be on your mind or simply to notice the beauty and bounty of what surrounds you.
Drive: Driving can prove to be an intersting process especially if it's difficult to fine a quiet place at home.
Authentic Outings: Similar to dating yourself, this is where you take time to be with you, with no purpose in mind other than sheer enjoyment.
Old Hobbies: What did you love to do when you were a small child? The authenticity of childhood interests can not be denied. Revisit the things you used to love to do as a child. You will be amazed at the passion within you just waiting to be rediscovered.
New Interests: Investigate and research things you find intriguing. Do you have a friend who you admire or envy for the way she or he spends her or his time? Did you used to dream about being great at something? Did you used to wish for your family to support you in the pursuit of a special talent or interest? Give yourself permission and the support to explore it now.
Try a little of each of these approaches and see what works for you.
Have FUN! and continually explore!
-From Terry Unwin coach from Midwest Center http://www.stresscenter.com/
Things You Can Do Right Away—Every Day—to Raise Your Self-esteemPay attention to your own needs and wants. Listen to what your body, your mind, and your heart are telling you. For instance, if your body is telling you that you have been sitting down too long, stand up and stretch. If your heart is longing to spend more time with a special friend, do it. If your mind is telling you to clean up your basement, listen to your favorite music, or stop thinking bad thoughts about yourself, take those thoughts seriously.
Take very good care of yourself. As you were growing up you may not have learned how to take good care of yourself. In fact, much of your attention may have been on taking care of others, on just getting by, or on "behaving well." Begin today to take good care of yourself. Treat yourself as a wonderful parent would treat a small child or as one very best friend might treat another. If you work at taking good care of yourself, you will find that you feel better about yourself. Here are some ways to take good care of yourself:
Eat healthy foods and avoid junk foods (foods containing a lot of sugar, salt, or fat). A healthy daily diet is usually:
five or six servings of vegetables and fruit
six servings of whole grain foods like bread, pasta, cereal, and rice two servings of protein foods like beef, chicken, fish, cheese, cottage cheese, or yogurt
Exercise. Moving your body helps you to feel better and improves your self-esteem. Arrange a time every day or as often as possible when you can get some exercise, preferably outdoors. You can do many different things. Taking a walk is the most common. You could run, ride a bicycle, play a sport, climb up and down stairs several times, put on a tape, or play the radio and dance to the music–anything that feels good to you. If you have a health problem that may restrict your ability to exercise, check with your doctor before beginning or changing your exercise habits.
Do personal hygiene tasks that make you feel better about yourself–things like taking a regular shower or bath, washing and styling your hair, trimming your nails, brushing and flossing your teeth.
Have a physical examination every year to make sure you are in good health. Plan fun activities for yourself. Learn new things every day.
Take time to do things you enjoy. You may be so busy, or feel so badly about yourself, that you spend little or no time doing things you enjoy--things like playing a musical instrument, doing a craft project, flying a kite, or going fishing. Make a list of things you enjoy doing. Then do something from that list every day. Add to the list anything new that you discover you enjoy doing.
Get something done that you have been putting off. Clean out that drawer. Wash that window. Write that letter. Pay that bill.
Do things that make use of your own special talents and abilities. For instance, if you are good with your hands, then make things for yourself, family, and friends. If you like animals, consider having a pet or at least playing with friends' pets.
Dress in clothes that make you feel good about yourself. If you have little money to spend on new clothes, check out thrift stores in your area.
Give yourself rewards—you are a great person. Listen to a CD or tape.
Spend time with people who make you feel good about yourself—people who treat you well. Avoid people who treat you badly.
Make your living space a place that honors the person you are. Whether you live in a single room, a small apartment, or a large home, make that space comfortable and attractive for you. If you share your living space with others, have some space that is just for you--a place where you can keep your things and know that they will not be disturbed and that you can decorate any way you choose.
Display items that you find attractive or that remind you of your achievements or of special times or people in your life. If cost is a factor, use your creativity to think of inexpensive or free ways that you can add to the comfort and enjoyment of your space.
Make your meals a special time. Turn off the television, radio, and stereo. Set the table, even if you are eating alone. Light a candle or put some flowers or an attractive object in the center of the table. Arrange your food in an attractive way on your plate. If you eat with others, encourage discussion of pleasant topics. Avoid discussing difficult issues at meals.
Take advantage of opportunities to learn something new or improve your skills. Take a class or go to a seminar. Many adult education programs are free or very inexpensive. For those that are more costly, ask about a possible scholarship or fee reduction.
Begin doing those things that you know will make you feel better about yourself—like going on a diet, beginning an exercise program or keeping your living space clean.
Do something nice for another person. Smile at someone who looks sad. Say a few kind words to the check-out cashier. Help your spouse with an unpleasant chore. Take a meal to a friend who is sick. Send a card to an acquaintance. Volunteer for a worthy organization.
Make it a point to treat yourself well every day. Before you go to bed each night, write about how you treated yourself well during the day.
You may be doing some of these things now. There will be others you need to work on. You will find that you will continue to learn new and better ways to take care of yourself. As you incorporate these changes into your life, your self-esteem will continue to improve.
APPROACHES TO KNOWING AND RECONNECTING WITH YOURSELF by Tami Walker
Journal: Writing your thoughts on paper can be profound. The process of journaling can support you in learning what you are afraid of, what you are passionate about and what you aspire to. Begin by writing as if you were talking with yourself. Take about 20 mins. Write about how you are feeling, what is exciting you, what is bothering you or about the day ahead of you. Enjoy the process of establishing a connection with you through the written word.
Meditation: This is about observing yourself in the present moment. Take 10 quiet moments and sit comfortably meditating. Just allow yourself to be still.
Move: Exercise can be a meditation in and of itself. If you are the type of person who has a really hard time slowing down, this may be a great way to committing some time to be with yourself.
Walk: walking is a moving meditation, it allows you to slow down and see what is going on around you. Walking can allow you to focus on being fully present while indulging in the moment you find so vital. It can provide you with an opportunity to mull over something that may be on your mind or simply to notice the beauty and bounty of what surrounds you.
Drive: Driving can prove to be an intersting process especially if it's difficult to fine a quiet place at home.
Authentic Outings: Similar to dating yourself, this is where you take time to be with you, with no purpose in mind other than sheer enjoyment.
Old Hobbies: What did you love to do when you were a small child? The authenticity of childhood interests can not be denied. Revisit the things you used to love to do as a child. You will be amazed at the passion within you just waiting to be rediscovered.
New Interests: Investigate and research things you find intriguing. Do you have a friend who you admire or envy for the way she or he spends her or his time? Did you used to dream about being great at something? Did you used to wish for your family to support you in the pursuit of a special talent or interest? Give yourself permission and the support to explore it now.
Try a little of each of these approaches and see what works for you.
Have FUN! and continually explore!
-From Terry Unwin coach from Midwest Center http://www.stresscenter.com/
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