8 oh-so-simple ways to feel great about yourself… and fast

Jun 22, 2017

From mindfulness to HIIT sessions, we are absolutely inundated with concepts which encourage us to treat our mind and bodies with the respect and care they deserve.

And yet despite an acute awareness of the various methods we should implement on a day to day basis in order to make the most of ourselves, how many of us actively partake?

But while you may not practice mindfulness and you might be more familiar with HIMYM than HIIT, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways to feel great about yourself.

From gratitude methods to nutrition tips, there are dozens of methods which advocate self-love and self-care, and here are just eight of our favourites.

1. Be your own best friend

One of the easiest ways to reassess how you treat yourself is the ‘best friend’ approach.

Whether you’re looking in the mirror, assessing a piece of work or contemplating a change, your inner voice should adopt the same tone and kindness you hear when you’re speaking to a friend.

Being kind to yourself and treating yourself in the very same way you treat your BFF is sure-fire way to feel good about yourself.

2. Fuel your body

Not everyone is all about the kale way of life, and that is totally fine, but small changes that positively impact on your energy levels are not to be dismissed.

It’s important to remember to fuel your body and that means eating in such a way you can navigate through the day, to the best of your ability. We hear it all the time but eating a balanced diet is key. This should include protein, high-fibre carbohydrates, plenty of fruit and veg and 3 portions of dairy products a day.

3. Listen (and accept) compliments

How often do you dismiss a friend or colleague’s compliment with a self-deprecating remark? Yeah, we thought so.

As we never want to be seen as smug, self-satisfied or boastful, we go out of our way to dismiss a compliment, but not only does this response belittle your friend’s kind words, it doesn’t give your mind time to process the sentiment behind their remark.

It can be so difficult to implement, but the next time someone compliments you, take a split second to register what they’ve said to you, and thank them. It’s as simple as that.

4. Treat yourself (without feeling guilty)

We’ve been programmed to believe that treats are meant to be enjoyed sporadically, which means were often left feeling guilty when we tuck into something we enjoy.

The key to treating yourself on the regular is educating yourself on the various foods which taste great, but don’t leave you feeling bloated, drained or sluggish.

Take Danone Light & Free, for example. This snack feels utterly decadent, but with 0% fat and 0% added sugar*, it’s a treat your body will actually thank you for.

5. Learn how to say no

This is perhaps one of the most difficult things to master because when you’re attempting to balance work and college responsibilities with social engagements and family commitments, it can be tempting to say yes to everything that comes your way because you don’t want to be seen neglecting any particular aspect of your life.

But, as most of you will have learned the hard way, this is a sure-fire way to experience burn out and end up feeling resentful.

The world will not stop spinning if you turn down a night out, decline a family invitation or decide to speak to your boss about your workload. In fact, it will actually leave you feeling relieved, revived, reassured, and pretty damn great.

6. Face a small fear

And when we say small, we mean small…relatively-speaking, of course.

So, we’re not talking about facing your fear of heights by bungee-jumping, but instead tending to a small task which has, over time, become more and more daunting in your head.

Whether it’s making that phone call, filling out that form or scheduling that appointment, one of the easiest ways to feel great about yourself is to take a deep breath, make that leap and ultimately reap the rewards.

7. Keep a gratitude diary

Keeping a gratitude diary is an oh-so-simple way to find the positive in the day-to-day, and recognise the random acts of kindness shown by friends, family, colleagues and strangers.

Not only does it help lift your mood at the end of a long day, it works well to boost your spirits if you choose to read over past entries when you’re in need of a pick-me-up.

Feeling great about yourself shouldn’t be dictated solely by your own actions, but can also be determined by the wonderful people you have chosen to be around, and who have chosen to be around you.

8. Lend a hand

There’s a lot to be said for how good it feels to help out a friend or family member.

Whether it’s offering a lift, running an errand or simply lending an ear, being there for loved ones reminds you of your worth and how important you are to countless people.

Yes, they’re certainly benefiting, but so too are you.