We all have days when our self-esteem might not be where it should be. Maybe you’re having a “fat day” or a “bad hair day” or just a “no-good-terrible day.” Having one of these days here and there isn’t too concerning, however having more low self-esteem days than good ones are red flags your personal habits are affecting your self-esteem. Get a handle on them quickly, before they spiral out of control.

The impact your personal habits can have on your self-esteem

The good news about improving your self-esteem: it might be easier than you think. You don’t have to sink lots of time, energy, or money into treatments. You can improve how you feel about yourself by taking a few simple steps to get you on the path to loving yourself inside and out. Before we talk about some personal habits that can help, let’s review a few essentials.

What’s Self-Esteem?

Your overall thoughts or sense of who you are as a person is your self-esteem. It’s your attitude towards yourself and can be negative or positive.

Many factor influence self-esteem:

• genetics
• age
• health
• how others respond to you

Self-esteem can change over time, which means you need to tend to it regularly if you want it to remain positive.

When you have higher-than-average self-esteem, you usually enjoy life and the people around them. You might find a sense of fulfillment and meaning in your life and easily solve most problems you face. You understand your value to the world and can:

• share how you feel
• what you need from others
• want with others

If you struggle with lower self-esteem, you might not like who you are as a person. You may feel no matter how hard you try, it’s just never good enough. These feelings can lead you to:

• feel withdrawn
• struggle with confidence
• might put you at risk of conditions like anxiety and depression

No matter how you’re feeling right now, you can always learn a few new strategies to boost your self-esteem and take care of yourself, too.

Here are seven personal habits that can get you on the right track to a healthy self-esteem.

Reduce Stress

Everyone has stress. In fact, without it, you would probably be a puddle on the floor because your body needs a little stress to be healthy. But too much pressure can lead to anxiety, depression, and even physical problems like an upset stomach. To reduce stress and improve positivity, adopt a few easy self-care techniques like getting outdoors to enjoy the fresh air, taking frequent breaks from work, and fostering healthy relationships with friends and family.

Get Up and Move

Did you know that exercise changes how your brain regulates anxiety and stress? Being active helps your mind use specific hormones that can ease feelings of depression and boost your mood. You don’t have to run a marathon to get the benefits of activity. Plan a 30-minute walk at lunch or in the evening with the dog and kids in tow to get the feel-good benefits of being active.

Try Aromatherapy

If you’ve never tried aromatherapy for relaxation, you need to give it a chance. Essential oils can help you achieve a sense of peacefulness by rubbing them on your body or placing them in a diffuser. Lavender essential oil is one of the best to use to improve your sleep, alleviate pain, and support mental health.

Splurge on Yourself

When was the last time you splurged on your own self-care and well-being? Maybe it’s time for a massage, pedicure, or facial. Anything that makes you feel pampered and enhances your natural beauty can give you the self-esteem hike you need.

Dress Your Best

Some days you just need to dress up for no real reason. When you put on your favorite outfit complete with boots, scarf, and a fancy necklace, it can make you feel — and look — like a million bucks. So, the next time you are having one of those “not so great” days, break out your best threads and wear them for yourself.

Get Creative

Do you remember when you were a child and could find true happiness in creative activities? Maybe as a kid you loved coloring inside the lines, or your hot glue gun skills were off-the-charts. Whatever creative hobby sets your soul on fire, do it! If you really want to laugh and have fun while you get artsy, invite over some of your best friends and have an arts and crafts night.

Take Care of Those Pearly Whites

Did you know that your mouth can tell your doctor or dentist loads of information about your overall health? It’s true, and it illustrates the connection between all of your body systems. A few simple things you can do to improve your smile include brushing and flossing often, choose an over-the-counter whitening system, and avoiding coffee and tea because they can leave behind hard to remove stains. The most important thing you can do for your mouth is to make and keep regular dental visits — at least two times each year.

Author Bio: Brooke Faulkner is a writer and mom in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. You can check out more of her writing on twitter, @faulknercreek