Five Good Ways to Feel Better About Yourself

Whoever said, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life” could not have been more prescient. It is a great concept. Drop the unpleasant things that might have happened to you, prior to today, and start your whole life over.

Of course, advice like this, that perhaps too simply eschews some catastrophic prior event, might seem overly optimistic and unrealistic. But a sentiment like this is a good first stage towards, at the least, a mind-set that leans towards happiness. Here are some other steps that can help lead you to the diamond highway on-ramp, and on into Happy Valley.

  1. How About Some Exercise?

Most appeals for you to start exercising more begin with a command to strip down and look at yourself in a full-length mirror. Let’s skip that. We all know that we can lose a few pounds, and even if it’s more than a few – we’ve all got to start somewhere. Any effective exercise regimen begins with a self-commitment – and that usually starts with joining a gym.

It doesn’t have to be a fancy, expensive health spa. The local YMCA will do just fine, thank you. The first thing is just finding your local ‘Y’ and then going in for a visit. You’ll get a tour of the facilities and one free, or possibly more, guidance sessions with a professional trainer there.

The trainer will first measure and record your physical data and then take you through a step-by-step workout routine. After a few more sessions, the trainer will turn things over to you and that’s when the going might get a little tough.

You’ve now got the exercise toolset to a healthier life. It is completely up to you to take advantage of this opportunity and commit to working out at least three times per week. But once you start seeing, and most importantly, feeling the good results, exercising will get easier and easier.

  1. Smile More

Nothing sparks feeling better about yourself more than a big smile, now and again. The therapeutic affect of smiling has been proven to be beneficial for not only your emotional health, but your physical well-being, too. But a lot of people are self-conscious about smiling because of their teeth.

A visit to a dentist, like Taylor Wagner Family Dentistry, can fix that in a jiffy. Dr. Bruce Taylor explains why: “Our teeth whitening procedures are very successful and they give our patients the results they are looking for. We work specifically with KöR Whitening Deep Bleaching, which is a safe and effective product that lasts a lifetime.”

This type of whitening procedure can lessen years of neglect. The yellowing of teeth is definitely reversible with professional cleaning and deep bleaching. Once you flash your new, brilliantly whitened teeth in front of a mirror, and experience the result for yourself, you’ll be proud, and happy, to smile at every opportunity.

  1. Eat Better Foods

Your moods, particularly stress and depression, can affect your appetite. One minute you don’t feel like eating at all and then the next, you’re starving to death and start stuffing yourself needlessly. This is a typical binge-eating pattern and is a direct result of anxiety due to depression.

The best way to prevent food bingeing is by keeping your mood upbeat and not dwelling on the negative aspects of your life. Another preventive measure is to start actively trying to eat more nourishing, and less junky, foods. Binge eating help can be found online or your doctor might be able to recommend a treatment center suitable for you.

It is a proven scientific fact that nourishing foods can have a positive effect on your mental state. So eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and make sure you eat at regular intervals than just snacking all the time.

  1. Isolate Problems, but Don’t Dwell on Them

Try to discover the situations that contribute to your depression and isolate them. Once you know what’s making you feel bad, and some of the reasons why, talk about these things openly with a loved one or a caring friend. If you’re not comfortable doing that, hire a professional and talk things over with your counselor. Talking is a road to release hurt feelings that will open the way to understanding.

Once you have these thoughts and feelings aired out, turn your mind to something positive by taking action to solve your problems. Don’t be shy. Ask for help if you need it. You’ll be surprised how many of your friends and family may have similar feelings to yours.

  1. Concentrate on the Good Things

Once you’ve parted the clouds of depression you may very well be surprised at how many good things about your life will start presenting themselves. When these points of light begin becoming clearer and clearer, seize them and ride that wave towards happiness and fulfillment. It may happen faster than you think.