Self-esteem is something that we build on throughout our lives, and it's normal for it to fluctuate. Did you know there are several habits and things you can do to improve your belief in yourself and improve your well-being? Here are some of our favourite tips for boosting your self-esteem — and blossoming beautifully into a better, stronger you! 

Invest in your well-being
Take time for yourself and the things that make you happy and give you energy. Feed your body and soul with good and nutritious food, exercise and rest. Whether it's walking, team sports, dancing or lifting weights, doing a physical activity that you like is a great way to treat yourself. Getting enough rest and sleep is also essential, as sleep deprivation can really throw off your feelings both physically and mentally. It’s amazing how different you can feel after a good night’s sleep — your entire outlook can change! Aim for the recommended seven to eight hours a night. 

Practice positive self-talk
Self talk, or your internal dialogue, is influenced by your subconscious and reveals your thoughts, beliefs and ideas. If you fall into a pattern of negative thinking, try and turn these into positives to increase your overall well-being by practising positive-self talk. Here are some examples to try!

• Instead of saying "I can't handle this" or "this is impossible," try reminding yourself that "I can do this" or "all I have to do is try."
• Instead of saying "I can't do anything right" when you make a mistake, remind yourself "I can do better next time" or  "I learned something from this experience."

Celebrate the small stuff
​​Celebrating small victories is a great way to build self-confidence and self-esteem. It's easy to focus on something bad happening in your life, and minimise the good. Start simply by writing down three things you did well at the end of each day before bed. Find ways to reward and celebrate yourself for all the great things you do - you’re now one one step closer to achieving your bigger dreams!

Set manageable goals
Whether small or big, goals are important to make you feel that you are moving forward in life. Take some time to reflect on what’s important for you and what type of things you would like to accomplish. The S.M.A.R.T goal strategy is a great way to clearly define your goals, and stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound. Use this tool when writing down your goals. Don’t forget to celebrate achieving each one — no matter how small your goal might be.

Change a habit
Making a change in your routine or habit is another way to give your self-esteem a boost. Start with smaller habits and routines, such as drinking a glass of water when you wake up or going to bed an hour earlier, and make a point to do this new habit for a full month. Just make sure to set habits that are realistic and let it take time. When you’ve accomplished it, you’ll feel amazing!

Do something kind for others
Lending someone a helping hand can help us direct our focus away from ourselves for a while, and teach us to feel more grateful for what we have. Making a difference for someone else is the best feeling! Open the door for someone, volunteer to mentor or teach someone a skill that you are good at or bake for a neighbour. Remember — kind acts for others don’t have to be big. You can make someone’s day, and your kind act will also make you feel good about yourself.

Treat yourself kindly
We have a tendency to be extra negative towards ourselves when things are not going how we hope. Remember to treat yourself with the same kindness and encouragement that you would a good friend. Life is a journey and our self-esteem fluctuates all the time, so be patient, let things take time and treat yourself positively. 

Surround yourself with positive people
Who we spend our time with can really influence our thoughts and attitudes, so make sure to surround yourself with people who lift you up and want the best for you. Take a moment to think about how your friends, family and colleagues make you feel. Do they lift you up and accept you for who you are? Seek out people who have a positive attitude, help build your confidence and allow you to be yourself. 

By investing in your well-being, both mentally and physically, building positive and meaningful relationships, being kind to yourself, and setting manageable goals, believe that you can achieve all that you are capable of. Remember that building self-esteem takes practice and time and doesn’t happen overnight — so treat yourself positively. We believe in you!