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Feel Better About Yourself with These Rules

Edited by Andrea Jaenen, Eng

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Rules to Follow to Feel Better About Yourself

We all want to be happy. There are ways to help yourself feel more confident, and feel better about who you are. Follow these rules and you will find yourself will an improved mood and feeling better.

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1
Book an Appointment with a Therapist
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You don't have to be crazy to see a therapist. Therapists, psychologists, and counsellors are all professionals trained to help you. If you are struggling with a mental illness, if you are caught up in problem, or if you just want to talk, these professionals are here to help. While sometimes costly, most workplaces or universities cover expenses of visiting a mental health professional. Many organization will also offer free services to those who request the help.

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2
Smile More
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When was the last time you looked into a mirror and smiled at yourself? There are benefits to smiling, even if you have to force yourself. There are studies that show that smiling reduces stress and anxiety, as smiling can sometimes lower heart rates. Smiling also releases endorphins and makes a person look more attractive and approachable.

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3
Make the Change
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We all want to change something about ourselves. Whether it is to dye our hair a creative color, get that tattoo, or lose weight. So make the change. Making changes to ourselves can improve our self confidence and make ourselves feel more comfortable. Fit the mould that appeals to you as an individual.
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4
Keep a Mood Journal
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If you are consistently in a low mood, it is good to keep track of how you feel on a day to day basis. Write down how feel in the morning, at lunch, in the afternoon, in the evening, and right before you go to bed. Keeping a mood journal can help you or a medical professional analyze your patterns. This journal can also help you focus on the positives as you reflect on your day.
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5
Talk Out Your Problems
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Many individuals keep their problems bottled up and tucked away. This is an unhealthy coping mechanism where a person tucks away an issue or negative emotion they have. The unfortunate consequence is usually letting your problems overflow and having a break down. If you discuss your problems as they come and go, you will find yourself transitioning from day to day much smoother. Talk to a therapist about your problems and yourself, and don't be afraid to discuss things you may consider petty. Quite often petty problems can add up to a much larger problem. A therapist can help you root out the cause.
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6
Exercise More Frequently
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Exercise releases a bundle of positive hormones, like endorphins and serotonin into your system. These hormones will help you feel better. Exercising can also improve your body image, which is useful if you lack confidence.
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7
Eat Better
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Eating better helps you feel better. If you eat better, you tend to have more and better quality energy, which ties back to exercising more. There is a belief that you are what you eat. So try to eat better and focus on foods that give you the nutrients and energy that you need to feel better about yourself.
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8
Do Things You Enjoy
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This rule explains itself. Focus on what you enjoy, and your mood will improve. If your mood is positive, you will reflect on yourself and your day in a much better light.
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9
Find Happiness in Yourself First
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People tend to rely on other people. Relying on others is most certainly not a negative thing. However, it can easily become negative if your mood is dependent on another person, or you put your happiness in their hands. As an individual, you do not need validation from anyone but yourself. This can be very difficult to change, and may initially be a cause of concern in relationships. But keep in mind that you are a person separate from others, and that individuality is key to making you feel better about yourself.
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10
Remember Your Friends
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Being an individual is very important. And so is having friends. Humans are naturally social creatures, and we need friends in our lives for a variety of reasons. Your friends are people you can look up to, people you can for advice or even just support. A sense of belonging can help you feel positive.
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11
Make More Friends
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Having a variety of people in your life adds excitement. More friends mean more opportunities to explore and find activities that you enjoy.
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12
Be Attentive to Your Body and Mind
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Pause for a minute and assess how your body feels right now. Is there a cramp somewhere in your body from sitting too long, or is there an ache of unknown origins that you have been ignoring for quite some time? Too often we become so focused on our lives and too busy to really reflect on how our bodies feel outside of regular feelings such as fatigue and needing to use the bathroom. Have you been stressed lately? Take the time you need to get you physical and mental health on track. Being attentive allows for a certain mindfulness, that can improve our moods and feel better in general.
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13
It's Okay to Feel Sad
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So, you're following the rule to smile more often. Which is fantastic, and it is one step closer to feeling better about yourself. But don't force yourself into feeling happy all the time. When was the last instance where you cried? It is okay to feel our emotions, and let ourselves be sad. Every person has ups and downs, as it is an inevitable part of life. We need to feel sad once in a while, so then we can remember to feel happy later.
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14
Sleep More
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The amount of sleep we need changes according individual needs. The amount of sleep we require changes as we change, but with our busy work lives, families, and classes, chances are you are not getting as much sleep as you need. If you find yourself tired or in a low mood throughout the day, adjust your schedule and make the change to sleep more.
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15
Make Time to Relax
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There is a saying that many professionals have, "I relax when I sleep." While, yes, your muscles do naturally relax while you sleep, this saying does plenty of harm. Stress and everyday life can take its toll. So be sure to put time aside where you can do things that are relaxing. Whether those things may include getting your nails done, getting a massage, or simply doing nothing at all. Afterwards, you will find yourself feeling much better.
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16
Put Down the Camera
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In other words, live in the moment. In this age of technology, we are so caught up in capturing the moment, that we forget to live it. Enjoy the concert, watch your baby take their first steps without rushing off to grab a camera. Experience life as it comes and goes, at the of the day you will have plenty of time to remember those moments.
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17
Form Better Habits
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Maybe you have a drink after work every night to "take off the edge." Maybe you bite your nails, or perhaps you have a habit of stress eating. All these habits are stress-inducing in themselves. So instead of grabbing that drink after work, hit the gym and work off that stress.
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18
Stop Procrastinating
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You probably need to do something right now. Our lives are so busy, and we all have a habit of putting off things that need to be done. So go do it, and quit procrastinating.
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19
Change Your Relationships
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We all have had toxic relationships. We all wish our significant other would stop doing that one thing that really hurt us. Who we are around affects how we feel. Take this opportunity to cut out the people who hurt you, or change an aspect in your relationship that will make for a better and healthier interaction.
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20
Do Good Deeds
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Have you ever had someone buy you a coffee out of nowhere? Or has a stranger ever given you a huge compliment? When this happens, we feel great. So share the good feelings, and do something for someone else. You can help someone else, all while making yourself feel better.
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21
Find an Outlet
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Whether you are expressing frustration or focusing your creativity, finding an outlet is important to helping relax and feel better. Paint on a canvas or take that kickboxing class. When you express yourself, you feel happier and more fulfilled.
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22
Straighten Your Posture
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Are you slouching? If your back is aching after a period of slouching, your mood is likely to reflect that. Straighten your back and sit with your feet flat on the ground. Fixing our posture inherently feels better and can assist in a positive body image.
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23
Watch Your Body Language
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The way we hold ourselves is reflective of how we feel. If we change how we appear, we change how we feel. Try to avoid fiddling with your fingers, or tapping your foot. Relax your shoulders and raise your eyes as you walk. These image projects confidence. If we look confident, we will feel confident. Be aware of yourself, and in the process you can help yourself feel much better about yourself.
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