Confidence and self-esteem
Confidence and self-esteem can play an important part in your happiness and how you feel about yourself.
If you don't feel very confident or have low self-esteem, it might affect other areas of your life. The good news is there are loads of ways you can start to improve your confidence.
The below video titled 'Comfortable: 50 People' is about being comfortable in your own skin.
Tips to boost your confidence and self-esteem:
- Talk to friends and family - Talking to others about your feelings and thoughts, will give you the support and comfort you need.
- Make the effort to meet new people - this will help expand your circle of friends and find people who you can connect with.
- Eat plenty of fruit and veg - Food can have a big effect on our mood, eating well and drinking more water can give you bundles of energy and help you to feel more happy!
- Take part in sport activities - Keeping active improves your mood.
When you exercise, your brain releases chemicals which make you feel good, increase concentration, and help you sleep better. - Write down something you like about yourself every day - Or something that makes you feel happy, and put it somewhere you'll see it.
You'll soon realise you have lots of great qualities and reasons to feel good! - Be part of something by helping others in your community - Having a role in a charity or local group that helps support people or a cause can instantly make you feel good about yourself, as well as letting you learn new skills, make friends in new places, and when we are helping others we are less focused on ourselves and our issues.
- Act - Acting as if you are confident in certain situations can actually make you feel confident - the same way that smiling and laughing can make you feel happy.
- Listen to music - Music always helps to lift your spirit when you're feeling low. You can listen to free playlists to match your mood through 8tracks music. The website has a Be Confident playlist.
Where can I go for help and support?
If you feel like your lack of confidence or low self-esteem is getting too much and you'd like some help, you can talk to:
Kooth -Is a free, safe and confidential online emotional wellbeing service where you can talk to friendly counsellors when you need to through virtual chat sessions.
ChatHealth Service - Speak to a school nurse for advice about health issues.
Emotional Wellbeing Hub - Offers support to young people up to 25 years old, who are worried about their emotional health and would like some support and advice.
Suffolk Young People's Health Project 4YP - To speak to a youth worker.
ChildLine message board - To share things and chat to other young people.
You can start a conversation or join an existing one, and its a great way to get support and offer advice to others.
Take a look at the .
Feeling anxious?
Feelings of anxiety can also be linked to having a lack of confidence. To find out more about this, go to our advice page about anxiety.
The below video called 'Labelled', shows young people talking about being labelled.
