It’s very common for women to find themselves feeling unsure of their abilities and aspirations. especially during transitions. In fact, roughly 70 percent of all new mothers experience “baby blues,” which can have a profound effect on their lives. However, no matter what stage of life you are in, there are many wellness practices that can help you rebuild your relationship with yourself and inspire lifelong confidence. This guide from Veg New World can help you discover self-care practices that can help you restore your self-esteem.
Taking Care of Your Body
Your body and mind are directly linked to each other, making it very easy for an unhealthy body to inspire a negative self-image. Just a few small lifestyle changes can help you to feel physically better, which goes a long way towards inspiring all-around confidence.
Change How You Eat
It’s easy to get into a food rut, especially if you are stressed or busy. But eating processed foods and relying too heavily on animal products can put unnecessary strain on your body and leave you feeling sluggish. Research is continuing to support that a plant-based diet is the best way to get the nutrients you need and lose weight in a healthy way. Look for recipes and even restaurant options that feature whole grains, produce, and avoid meats. Then, see how you feel. If you need ideas on what to make or where to find vegan options, check out Veg New World for great resources.
Start a Fitness Routine
Being physically fit is a sure way to keep your body and mind in good shape. There are a number of routines that can contribute to your physical wellness, no matter what level you are starting at.
- Start a yoga routine. Yoga is unique in that it emphasizes both mental and physical wellness in the same routine. Yoga increases self-esteem and body image by incorporating mindfulness into its physical workouts, making it a great all-around practice for anyone.
- Try weight lifting and strength training. A more direct way to change your body image is to strength train at the gym. As your body transforms in a positive way, it can promote a healthy self-image and inspire confidence.
- Try aerobic exercise. Whether it is running, swimming, or using an elliptical machine, aerobic exercise is a great way to stay fit. Additionally, this type of exercise can help you to quiet your mind, which will limit any negative self-talk you may have. Consider investing a little money in equipment that will help you maintain this exercise. If you enjoy hiking, look for reviews and deals on a good hiking or travel backpack, along with hiking boots. If you live in an area with inclimate weather, indoor equipment like a recumbent bike or treadmill could get you moving more frequently.
No matter which routine you choose, it’s important to have a comfortable and supportive bra. If you are uncomfortable during your workout, you will be less likely to continue it. Plus, a great sports bra can make you feel more put together while you exercise.
Set Yourself Up for Success
Self-care is an important part of building confidence, and one way to keep yourself accountable to healthy practices is joining a community of like-minded people. Surrounding yourself with a support network can give you both a sense of purpose and belonging, as well as provide motivation to continue engaging with healthy practices.
Prioritizing self-care also means giving yourself time to focus on your dreams and passions. Perhaps you’ve wanted to go back to school, but have put that desire aside for other things. Or maybe you have a great business idea, but keep convincing yourself that it’s not worth it. Instead of downgrading the things that you want, look into them! Look into how to start a business with ZenBusiness, and whether there’s a need for your idea in your community. If there is, you’ll need to decide on a business structure and complete some paperwork to make things official. But the steps will be well worth it when you start helping people with your new business.
Manage Your Finances
Money is a major contributor to stress. If you have experienced recent unemployment or hardship and have been forced to rely on credit cards to get by, you may feel overwhelmed by that looming debt and those high interest rates. If you’re a homeowner, look into refinancing your home. This process involves paying off your current home loan with a new loan with better terms, like lower interest rates. You could choose to cash out a portion of your interest to pay off your cards while keeping your mortgage payment similar because of the lower interest rate. Or perhaps lowering your monthly home loan payment would give you the extra money you need to pay down your credit cards. Either way, refinancing might help you to get ahead of your debt and improve your mental well-being.
Understand Your Own Mind
Understanding your own mind can help to address the root of any self-esteem or anxiety issues you may face. Keep a journal and write down various situations you encounter that can trigger feelings of low self-esteem. By understanding what makes you feel insecure, you can plan ahead and take steps to gradually build up confidence.
As an example, if traveling makes you uncomfortable due to the large crowds at hotels, you may make plans to instead go for a vacation rental. Having your own space would allow you the flexibility to stay away from large crowds at places such as a restaurant. Taking things at your own pace and meeting challenges as you are ready for them is a helpful and proven method to build up your confidence.
It’s important to preserve your mental well-being at home, too. When we are anxious or resentful, we can carry that energy into our living spaces. If you’ve been in a dark place, try smudging your home and then increasing natural lighting. If you don’t have potted plants around your house, add some. Being in nature helps to increase mood and decrease anxiety, so adding light and greenery to your living space can really help your mental state.
Find Your Perfect Self-Care Routine
Self-confidence doesn’t have to be something you either have or don’t have. It is a lifestyle that anybody – moms included – can take up. Start by caring for your body and your finances in new ways, and adjust your self-care routine based on how you feel. And consider trying a vegan diet using strategies from Veg New World. Your body will thank you for all of the goodness and attention, and the way you feel might just surprise you.
