Maintaining a Positive Self-Image in the New Year
Feeling good about yourself can help facilitate success in a variety of areas. From career to personal relationships to hobbies, a positive self-image bodes well for virtually every facet of your life. So, if your current self-image leaves something to be desired, the new year is the perfect time to rectify this. Anyone looking to feel good about themselves all year long would do well to consider the following measures.
Get Mental Health Assistance
If you have self-image issues that stem from mental health problems, now is the time to seek out the professional assistance such problems demand. Working with a seasoned therapist, counselor or other mental health professional can help you improve your self-image and clearly identify the root causes of your low self-esteem. If self-image problems have been a constant throughout your life, you may not be able to tackle them alone – and the right mental health professional is likely to be just the person you need.
Many people are deterred from taking this crucial step because of the perceived cost of mental healthcare. While it’s true mental health assistance can be pricey, there are numerous ways to make it more affordable. For example, you could purchase an insurance plan that offers broad coverage for mental healthcare. If this isn’t financially feasible, you should look for individual practices and community clinics that provide services on a sliding scale or free of charge. Additionally, many healthcare providers offer financial aid to uninsured and underinsured patients. However, since providers tend not to openly advertise these services, the onus is often on healthcare seekers to make the proper inquiries.
Exercise on a Regular Basis
The benefits of regular exercise are seemingly endless. In addition to being conducive to good physical health, working out can prove beneficial to one’s mental health, as well. Exercise helps facilitate the release of endorphins, which can improve your outlook and set the stage for a more positive self-image. Additionally, committing to a regular fitness routine can lead to improved stamina, weight loss and heightened strength – all of which can contribute to a healthy self-image.
It’s also important to remember that exercising doesn’t have to mean working out to the point of complete exhaustion. Getting in shape and staying physically fit needn’t be a grueling test of one’s endurance. Just 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day can do wonders for your physical health and self-image. While there’s nothing wrong with engaging in slightly more strenuous workouts, people who lack the time or inclination shouldn’t feel obligated to push themselves to their limits.
Regular exercise works particularly well when paired with healthy eating habits. So, in addition to embracing physical fitness, make sure to add a variety of fruits, veggies, whole grains and proteins to your diet.
Change Careers
Job stress is a problem that’s all too common in the U.S. With wages stagnating amidst rising cost-of-living and the demands of employers becoming more unreasonable than ever, many members of the workforce have found themselves stressed, depressed and anxious – which, among other things, can result in a less-than-stellar self-image.
While very few people genuinely love their jobs, it’s important to make a distinction between regular job stress and extreme dissatisfaction with one’s career. So, if your current job has taken a tremendous toll on your self-image, this may be the year to seek out a change. In addition to actively applying for other jobs, consider continuing your education if your ideal career path demands it. For example, if you’re interested in a career in beauty or cosmetics, consider enrolling in courses at the Lisa OM Academy. While this can all seem scary and challenging, making a commitment to change is preferable to remaining in an unhealthy situation indefinitely.
A positive self-image is crucial to one’s mental health. Holding a consistently negative view of oneself is conducive to anxiety, depression and a host of other serious issues. So, if your current self-image leaves a lot to be desired, feeling better about yourself should be among your foremost priorities in the new year. Fortunately, improving your self-image is far less daunting a task than you might imagine. Anyone who could stand to hold themselves in higher esteem will be well-served by the pointers discussed above.
