10 ways to boost your self-esteem in less than 10 minutes

Everyone has days when they don’t feel their best.

It’s normal.

But, did you know that you can boost your self-esteem quickly?

And it only takes less than ten minutes!

I’m going to share ten easy but strong ways to lift your self-esteem right away.

These tips won’t just make you feel good right now, they’ll also help you feel more confident in the long run. 

1. Positive Self-Talk

The first step is all about the power of words – your words.

The way you talk to yourself matters a lot. Negative self-talk can bring you down, while positive self-talk can lift you up.

Here’s how to do it:

Start by noticing your thoughts.

If you find yourself thinking things like “I can’t do this” or “I’m not good enough”, stop!

Instead, replace those thoughts with positive ones.

Tell yourself, “I can do this” or “I’m doing my best and that’s enough”.

You might feel a bit silly at first, but that’s okay.

Positive self-talk is like a muscle – the more you use it, the stronger it gets.

2. Power Pose

Believe it or not, the way you carry yourself can impact how you feel about yourself.

This is where power posing comes in.

Power posing is all about adopting body postures that reflect confidence and assertiveness.

Here’s how you do it:

Stand up straight, pull your shoulders back, and lift your chin.

Place your hands on your hips, like a superhero, or raise them in the air in a “V” shape.

Hold this pose for about two minutes.

Even if you don’t feel confident at first, just fake it till you make it!

Research shows that power poses can boost your confidence and reduce stress.

3. Gratitude Journal

Gratitude can be a powerful tool for boosting self-esteem. I’ve personally experienced the power of gratitude and I’m excited to share it with you.

Not too long ago, I found myself feeling particularly down about a mistake I had made at work. My confidence was shaken and my self-esteem was at an all-time low. That’s when I decided to start a gratitude journal.

Every day, I started writing down three things that I was grateful for. They could be big things or small things – the sun shining, a good cup of coffee, a compliment from a friend.

At first, it was difficult to think of positive things, especially on bad days. But as time went on, I found that focusing on the positive aspects of my life helped me to see myself in a more positive light as well.

The process of expressing gratitude made me realize that I have many strengths and blessings. This lifted my spirits and helped me regain my self-esteem. 

4. Celebrate Your Achievements

Celebrating your achievements, no matter how small, is a fantastic way to boost your self-esteem.

It’s about recognizing and appreciating your efforts and success.

Celebrating small wins not only boosts your self-esteem but also motivates you to keep going towards your bigger goals.

Start by listing down your daily achievements.

It could be anything from finishing a book, learning a new recipe, or even getting out of bed on a tough day.

Take a moment to appreciate yourself for these wins, and you’ll find that this small act can give your self-esteem a big boost!

5. Practice Self-Care

Self-care isn’t just about bubble baths and chocolates (though those are nice too). It’s about taking care of your mind, body, and soul in ways that make you feel loved, cared for, and respected.

When life gets busy, it’s easy to forget about ourselves. We tend to put others’ needs before our own, and let our own wellbeing fall by the wayside.

But remember this: You can’t pour from an empty cup. You need to take care of yourself first so you can be there for others.

Even if you only have 10 minutes, use them wisely. Listen to your favorite song, take a short walk outside, meditate, or just sit in silence.

These moments of self-care can refresh your mind and boost your self-esteem by reminding you that you are important and deserve care and attention.

6. Set Realistic Goals

Setting goals can be a great way to boost your self-esteem. But the key is to set realistic, achievable goals. I learned this the hard way.

A few years ago, I decided I wanted to run a marathon. The problem was, I hadn’t run more than a mile in years!

I started training, but I pushed myself too hard and too fast. Instead of feeling good about myself, I felt discouraged when I couldn’t meet the unrealistic expectations I had set.

So, I took a step back and set a new goal: to run a 5K. This was much more achievable. Once I completed that, I set a new goal: to run a 10K, then a half marathon, and eventually, I did run that full marathon.

Setting and achieving realistic goals helped me build my self-esteem step by step.

7. Accept Compliments Graciously

Accepting compliments can be tough.

It’s all too easy to brush them off, downplay our achievements, or deflect with self-deprecating humor.

I mean, how many times have you responded to a compliment with a quick, “Oh, it was nothing” or “I just got lucky”?

But here’s the truth: You deserve those compliments. You’ve worked hard, and it’s okay to acknowledge that.

So, the next time someone compliments you, instead of dismissing it, try saying “Thank you” and let it sink in. Believe that you deserve that praise.

This simple act of accepting compliments can significantly boost your self-esteem by helping you recognize your value and worth.

It’s not about being arrogant; it’s about acknowledging your strengths and success. So go ahead, accept that compliment – you’ve earned it!

8. Smile More Often

Smiling might seem like a small thing, but it can have a big impact on your self-esteem. Did you know that the simple act of smiling can actually make you feel happier?

This is due to the release of neuropeptides that work towards fighting off stress along with the feel-good neurotransmitters – dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin. Not only does this make us feel better, but it also relaxes our body and can lower our heart rate and blood pressure.

If you’re feeling down, try smiling even if you don’t necessarily feel like it. You might just find that it lifts your mood and boosts your self-esteem.

Plus, smiles are contagious – so not only will you feel better about yourself, but you might just make someone else’s day a little brighter too!

9. Limit Social Media Time

This one is from my personal experience.

I found that spending too much time on social media was doing a number on my self-esteem.

Seeing the highlight reels of other people’s lives made me feel like I wasn’t doing enough, wasn’t good enough, or wasn’t ‘there’ yet.

So, I decided to limit my time on social media.

Instead of mindlessly scrolling through feeds, I started using that time to do things that make me happy and boost my self-esteem.

I picked up reading again, started going for walks, and even tried out some new recipes.

The result?

I felt better about myself.

I was no longer comparing myself to others and instead, focused on appreciating my own journey.

10. Learn to Say No

We can’t do everything for everyone, no matter how hard we try.

And that’s okay.

Learning to say no is an essential part of boosting self-esteem. It’s about setting boundaries and respecting your own time, energy, and needs.

I used to be a ‘yes’ person, always agreeing to every request or favor asked of me, even if it meant stretching myself too thin.

Over time, I realized that by always saying yes, I was saying no to my own needs and self-care.

So, I started to say no.

It felt uncomfortable at first, but over time it became easier. And guess what? People understood. By saying no, I was able to invest more time in myself and things that mattered to me – which did wonders for my self-esteem.