by Carrie Spencer
The last couple of years have been extremely challenging for many people. Depression and
anxiety are running rampant and afflicting every age group. But with a few simple strategies, you can re-enter the world with renewed confidence. Here, we’ll look at four tried-and-true methods to regain control of your life so you can believe in yourself and move forward:
Take Care of Your Body
Give yourself a boost of confidence by getting your body in shape. If you spend long hours
sitting at a desk and are living a mostly sedentary lifestyle, think about adding more physical
exercise into your day. Instead of taking a social media-slash-coffee break in front of your
computer, go for a stroll or a jog around your neighborhood. You can also join a gym and meet other people, where you may even form new friendships and keep each other accountable. Better yet, consider visiting Villari's Martial Arts Center and signing up for adult martial arts or tai chi classes, both of which are excellent forms of exercise.
If you’re trying to control your weight, making a few changes in your diet can have a big impact: learn to eat smaller portions, avoid snacking between meals, and opt for foods that have high nutritional value and are rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Focus on Your Finances
For many people, money is a major cause of stress. So having a better grasp on your finances may help alleviate some of your worries and concerns. An effective way to save money is by paying off some of your high-interest credit card debt. You can tap into your home equity to free up some cash or to reduce your monthly mortgage payment by refinancing and getting a loan with more favorable terms. There are also some smaller steps you can take to spend less every month and regain a sense of financial security: for example, you can lower your electric bill by making sure your home is well insulated, and by investing in a programmable thermostat for maximum heating efficiency.
Become Your Own Boss
Whether you’ve lost your job due to the pandemic, or you’re looking to find better work-life
balance so you can spend more time with your loved ones and less time performing a job you don’t fully enjoy, starting your own business may be your path to greater fulfillment. But
launching a new venture comes with a lot of legwork and research, so be sure to use online
resources for step-by-step instructions that will take the guesswork out of the equation and put you on the path to business ownership faster.
Enrich Your Life
It’s important for your mental health to take time for yourself. If you enjoy partaking in a
particular activity, make sure you carve out time in your weekly schedule for it, even when
you’re busy with work and family life. Pursuing a hobby will help you relax and unwind so you can go back to your daily routine feeling refreshed. If you enjoy the great outdoors, spending time in nature will boost your vitamin D levels and improve your mood. Gardening is also a great hobby that combines physical and mental benefits. Lastly, if you’ve always wanted to go back to school to get your masters, look in to online courses that can help you achieve this goal. Many programs have staggered start times throughout the year, making them easy to fit into your schedule.
Venture Onto Social Media
If you’re looking to make friends, connect with people, or share something you’re passionate about, social media is the place for you. Websites like Instagram, for example, allow you to share pictures and videos with anyone who follows you. Who knows? If you continue to post quality content, you could develop a strong following. Sharing your stories, creations, and passions with others will help you build confidence, especially as you continue to make new friends and connect with like-minded people. Using social media might sound like a lot of work, but there are tools and apps that can help make the process a little simpler. For instance, an Instagram story template can let you quickly put together awesome-looking posts that will impress your followers and, perhaps, help you gain new ones.
Talk to a Mental Health Specialist
Lastly, if all of these tips and tricks aren’t doing much for your confidence, it may be time to
speak to a therapist. These days, you don’t even have to leave your home to speak to a
professional, thanks to telehealth. To get started, hop online and start looking up info about
online counseling. Many services provide same-day appointments as well as prescription
fulfillment, which works in conjunction with your local pharmacy. What’s more, if you have a
special mental health issue that you’d like to discuss, these online services can connect you with someone who has experience helping people just like you.
Having better control of your time and your finances can do wonders for your overall well-being. Keeping your body active is also a great way to improve your health and boost your self-esteem. So invest in yourself and build your confidence day by day.