It’s no surprise that the biggest issue in the 21st century is low self-esteem. You have social media to thank for that. A lot of people don’t realize that social media isn’t reality. People have learned to frame their lives on social media to make it seem more perfect than it is. We’ve learned to edit out the bad things. We base our confidence on the number of likes we get, and when we don’t get enough, it crushes our self-esteem. We constantly look at other people’s lives on social media, and we can’t help but compare ourselves to them.
A survey has shown that thousands of children who spend more than three hours on social media suffer from low self-esteem. The effects of low self-esteem can carry on through adulthood. But this problem can be solved. By stepping out of your comfort zone, you can regain your confidence. Not sure where to start? Here are six unusual things for you to do that can help you boost your self-esteem:
1. Limit your social media exposure.
We’ve established that one of the main culprits of low self-esteem is too much exposure to social media. So, why not give yourself a break? Instead of spending several hours browsing through social media, why not get productive? Call up a friend or a relative, ask them out for dinner or a movie. Do anything if it gets you off social media for a while. Remember, social media isn’t real life. Real-life starts when you put down your phone
2. Follow more creative people on social media.
Social media, body image, and self-esteem are all related to each other. Instead of following influencers or celebrities that always focus on their bodies. Why not follow more artists and creatives. Most influencers become influencers because they check society’s beauty standards. It’s common for people to always expect themselves to look like these people. But the truth is, only 5% of women naturally have the body types that media often represents.
3. Run a marathon.
There is something absolutely satisfying about training hard to reach a certain goal. And then actually achieving that goal. A study conducted on goal-setting showed that achieving goals leads to satisfaction. Thus, resulting in greater self-esteem. That’s the main idea behind running a marathon. Training hard to be able to finish a marathon is a great goal. But, if you aren’t up to run a marathon, that’s fine. You can set other goals or do other sports. The point is, by setting goals and achieving these goals, you will gain confidence.
Being active and doing any kind of sport in general also helps with self-esteem. Not only do the endorphins boost your mood, but it has been proven that those who exercise have greater self-esteem. Doing any physical activity regularly will not only make you feel great, but you’ll look great too.
4. Host an event.
If public speaking has been one of your weakest points, why not face your fears? Facing your fears is a great way to boost your confidence; there is no doubt about that. Try hosting an event or a party. It doesn’t have to be a big formal event right away. Start small! It can be something like a close friend’s baby shower or bachelorette party. Or maybe a dear relative of yours is having a birthday party. If you need advice on hosting an event, you can always ask a professional emcee or host to help you.
5. Travel alone.
Traveling is a great way to destress and discover yourself. Traveling with friends and family is great, but traveling alone is an entirely different experience. It’s exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. But the lessons you gain from experience will surely change your perspectives in life. It also helps you gain a kind of trust and confidence within yourself. Just like planning a marathon, planning a trip alone, and getting through it is such a satisfying experience. So, if you aren’t up for the physical challenge of running a marathon, why not try traveling alone instead?
6. Fix your posture.
Having better posture has plenty of benefits. Increasing self-esteem and confidence is one of them. If you haven’t gained the confidence to run a marathon or travel alone, something as simple as fixing your posture can help. To have the proper posture while sitting, your feet should be flat on the ground. Your weight should be spread evenly between your hips, and your back should be (mostly) straight. Bring your shoulders down and your ears above your collarbones.
When standing, your legs shouldn’t be locked or hyperextended. There should be a very slight bend at the knees. Weight evenly distributed, back straight, shoulders down, and ears above your collarbones.
Now that you’ve got an idea of what you could do. All you need to do is to try it out for yourself. Remember these six suggestions and start working on your self-esteem!