The 3 daily exercises that boost your self-esteem

Could you benefit from being more gentle with yourself? We expend a significant amount of energy throughout the day showing empathy, compassion, and love to those who mean the most to us. We send encouraging messages on cards, complement a friend's new clothing, call to check-in, and attentively listen to those in need.

Despite this, many of us rarely perform acts of self-compassion. Instead, we are our own toughest critics. When this happens, we don't feel like we're fulfilled, happy, or at ease in our own skin.

It's more vital than ever to figure out how to be more self-compassionate. Cultivating this life-improving talent has far-reaching benefits beyond simply feeling joyful. Nurturing and accepting oneself is the first step to better health, stronger relationships, more self-esteem, and the desire to make better choices.

Try these three activities to improve your self-esteem.

Consider why you exercise.

Daily exercise strengthens your heart, increases lung endurance, reduces stress, and lowers your risk of contracting serious diseases. The goal of working out is to improve our overall quality of life. And, while this should be enough to get you going, society places too much value on the superficial benefits of aerobics, like being thin or looking like a celebrity, who does so with the help of personal trainers, make-up artists, and Photoshop.

Trying to meet these unhealthy, unreasonable expectations can make us feel inadequate and unworthy, particularly young adults throughout their growth years. Exercise should be empowering and a celebration of your body's abilities. You can't look good on the outside if you're not feeling well on the inside. Reorient your fitness goals away from lowering the numbers on the scale or attempting to be like others and toward a more profound aim, such as feeling stronger and healthier. Only then will exercise appear to be a boon rather than a curse.

Take a moment to relax.

If you're feeling stressed, one simple way to relax is to practice better breathing techniques.

Breathing is a voluntary as well as an involuntary function. Throughout the day, our bodies control this life-sustaining process naturally. However, we have complete control over the quality of our breathing. When we are stressed, our bodies respond by inhaling shorter, faster breaths that fill the chest rather than the belly. We hyperventilate when this happens. This causes a slew of terrifying symptoms, including dizziness, tingling, and chest tightness. It has the potential to trigger panic episodes and make us feel ill.

We can better manage these symptoms before they begin, or even in the midst of a stressful circumstance if we grasp the art of breathing. To accomplish this, set aside five minutes each day to practice the following relaxation technique: This skill, like any other, requires daily repetitions to be strengthened.

• Take a seat or lie down in a comfortable posture.
• Place one hand on your stomach and the other on your chest.
• Inhale deeply and slowly via your nose, allowing the air to fill your abdomen rather than your chest. Hold this position for three to four counts.
• Exhale slowly through your mouth, keeping your jaw relaxed and your lips slightly pursed. You should feel your hand on your tummy dip until you've expelled all the air. Repeat this process ten times. Consider how you felt before and after this workout.

Make your self-talk more appealing.

When we look in the mirror or work out at a new gym, we can become our own worst enemy by using self-talk that is based on shame or blame, such as "I'm overweight," or "You're silly to think you can fit in here." It's almost as though you're your bully.

In these situations, we must pause and consider, "How would we treat a buddy in the same situation?" I'm sure you'd never speak in such a nasty tone. You'd be patient and understanding, and you'd come up with solutions to the problem.

Make a list of five qualities you'd want to see in a friend for this assignment. Examine your responses, and make these characteristics your new tone for self-talk going forward.

The most essential relationship you will ever have is one with yourself.