A member asked:

Please provide some do's and don'ts on improving self esteem.

33 doctors weighed in across 53 answers
Dr. John Van der Werff answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Ignore: Have positive input the 1st and last hour of each day.

Answered 3/18/2015

4.4k views

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Dr. Jan Lei Iwata answered

Specializes in Ophthalmology

Ignore: Don't be hard on yourself. No one expects perfection.

Answered 3/31/2014

4.3k views

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Dr. Bernard Seif answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

Ignore: Don't measure self worth by looks, money, talent, etc. Do cognitive therapy w/professional or book.

Answered 4/6/2014

4.2k views

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Ignore: Real self esteem is created by doing the things that are hardest for you to do!

Answered 8/30/2019

4.2k views

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Dr. Barbara Lavi answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

Ignore: Make a list of your strengths, read them daily keep friends who appreciate u avoid those who don't.

Answered 4/24/2014

4.2k views

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Ignore: People who really matter love you for who ; what you are inside, not your money ; appearance.

Answered 10/4/2016

4.1k views

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Dr. Barbara Lavi answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

"I'll: "I'll probably make a fool of myself" = example of labeling which may distort & decrease selfesteem.

Answered 5/31/2014

4k views

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Try: Try not to worry so much about what other people think. They are probably worried about themselves!

Answered 6/1/2014

4k views

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Dr. Stuart Erner answered

Specializes in Internal Medicine

Ignore: Use daily positive affirmations and don't let others make you feel badly about yourself.

Answered 6/4/2014

4k views

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Dr. Cindy Williams answered

Specializes in Pediatrics

Never: Never start a sentence with 'you are...'. Kids believe you. They aren't bad, their actions are.

Answered 6/8/2014

4k views

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Ignore: Self esteem is mostly injured when comparing to others; compete with yourself, not with others.

Answered 6/10/2014

4k views

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Dr. Marcie Berman answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

Do: Do the things that scare you. You will feel more confident when you finish.

Answered 5/15/2016

4k views

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Ignore: You matter! Don't compare yourself to others. You are amazing, important, beautiful.

Answered 9/29/2016

4k views

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Dr. Barbara Lavi answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

Self: Self Esteem 101: Do something that scares you. Overcoming fears will build self confidence.

Answered 6/21/2014

4k views

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Dr. Barbara Lavi answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

Self: Self Esteem 101: Set goals & action steps 2Accomplish them. As U reach them Ur self esteem will grow.

Answered 6/21/2014

4k views

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Dr. Barbara Lavi answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

Self: Self Esteem 101: Help someone else feel good about themselves, it will make U will feel better too.

Answered 6/21/2014

4k views

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Dr. Barbara Lavi answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

Self: Self Esteem 101: Write yourself a love letter describing all of your strengths, then read it daily.

Answered 6/21/2014

4k views

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Dr. Barbara Lavi answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

Self: Self Esteem 101: Stop self-defeating thoughts they undermine self esteem; replace them w' + thoughts.

Answered 6/21/2014

4k views

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Dr. Liesa Harte answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Don't: Don't worry about what others think of you. Be the best version of you.

Answered 6/28/2014

4k views

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Dr. Barbara Lavi answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

Write: Write lists of Ur: Strengths, Things U admire RE U, 5 greatest achievements, 20 things U know how2do.

Answered 7/1/2014

3.9k views

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Dr. Barbara Lavi answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

Make: Make lists of goals: Do at least 1 of 10 things 2 make yourself or someone else laugh every day.

Answered 7/1/2014

3.9k views

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Dr. Barbara Lavi answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

To: To improve self esteem: Set goals like: 10 ways 2 help someone else & start doing them.

Answered 9/29/2016

3.9k views

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Dr. Barbara Lavi answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

Use: Use positive affirmations 2 stop perpetuating negative thoughts about you.

Answered 7/1/2014

3.9k views

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Dr. Barbara Lavi answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

Tell: Tell yourself UR good, worthy, & deserve2B happy & alive 2 replace negative thoughts.

Answered 7/1/2014

3.9k views

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Dr. Barbara Lavi answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

Build: Build self esteem: Exercise every day, if only for 20 minutes U will feel better, stronger & proud.

Answered 7/1/2014

3.9k views

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Dr. Barbara Lavi answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

Take: Take csre of yourself Build self esteem stay an extra minute in the shower 2 relax your muscles.

Answered 7/1/2014

3.9k views

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Dr. Barbara Lavi answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

Build: Build self esteem by improving mental health. Learn 1 new thing every day as U do U will feel better.

Answered 7/1/2014

3.9k views

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Dr. Barbara Lavi answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

Learn: Learn new things that make use of your unique talents, skills & abilities.

Answered 7/1/2014

3.9k views

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Dr. Barbara Lavi answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

Build: Set goals for yourself, and achieve them. Then reward yourself.

Answered 9/4/2014

3.9k views

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Dr. Barbara Lavi answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

Make: Make your home & place of work uplifting, fill them w' things you love, especially things U made.

Answered 7/1/2014

3.9k views

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Dr. Barbara Lavi answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

Image: Image boards can help improve self esteem by posting images of current strengths or of future goals.

Answered 7/1/2014

3.9k views

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Dr. Barbara Lavi answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

Try: Try 2 give yourself as close 2 unconditional love as you can, find your strengths & build on them.

Answered 7/1/2014

3.9k views

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Love: Love yourself FIRST - then you can love others to the best of your ability.

Answered 7/3/2014

3.9k views

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Ignore: Work on identifying and writing down positive self-qualities; focus on things you've achieved.

Answered 5/28/2016

3.9k views

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Dr. Neigatha Graney answered

Specializes in Pediatrics

Ignore: Being naturally curious & accepting of others, children have much to teach. Find your inner child!

Answered 7/6/2014

3.9k views

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Dr. Barbara Lavi answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

Instead: Instead of focusing on how far U have 2 go, take pride in what U have accomplished.

Answered 5/30/2016

3.9k views

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Dr. Barbara Lavi answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

Putting: Putting yourself down won't help U accomplish more, so stop negative thoughts & start loving U.

Answered 5/30/2016

3.9k views

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Ignore: Develop your strengths; work through any depression related hits on self worth possibly in therapy.

Answered 7/27/2014

3.9k views

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Dr. Jan Lei Iwata answered

Specializes in Ophthalmology

Don't: Don't believe the stories you've told yourself about in the past that are untruths. It's time to let them go!

Answered 7/28/2014

3.8k views

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Dr. Jan Lei Iwata answered

Specializes in Ophthalmology

Let: Let go of undeserving, judgmental old tapes that keep playing over again when you're feeling down on yourself.

Answered 7/28/2014

3.8k views

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Dr. Jan Lei Iwata answered

Specializes in Ophthalmology

Reprogram: Reprogram old tapes into positive, empowering visions of what you want to do in this world to make a difference.

Answered 7/28/2014

3.8k views

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Dr. Jan Lei Iwata answered

Specializes in Ophthalmology

You: You may need to change your friends or environment to create a more positive framework.

Answered 7/28/2014

3.8k views

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Dr. Jan Lei Iwata answered

Specializes in Ophthalmology

Manager: Manager thoughts like your time. Invest only the positive ones, and delete all the negative ones.

Answered 7/28/2014

3.8k views

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Dr. Jan Lei Iwata answered

Specializes in Ophthalmology

You: You could always improve upon yourself, there's time!

Answered 7/28/2014

3.8k views

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Dr. Jan Lei Iwata answered

Specializes in Ophthalmology

Be: Be creative in your creations. Always expect the best, and don't settle for less. You deserve it!

Answered 7/28/2014

3.8k views

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Dr. Jan Lei Iwata answered

Specializes in Ophthalmology

See: See each day as a gift of opportunities. They're there for the taking, and learning.

Answered 7/28/2014

3.8k views

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Dr. Deborah Lim answered

Specializes in Internal Medicine

Be: Be kind to yourself and to others in word and deed. This will improve how you feel about yourself.

Answered 1/14/2015

3.3k views

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Ignore: Like yourself, be yourself. Everyone else taken lol.

Answered 3/14/2015

3.1k views

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Dr. Alan Ali answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

Ignore: Build on strengths instead of magnifying weaknesses.

Answered 3/29/2015

3k views

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Dr. Shalini Sethi answered

Specializes in Pediatrics

Stop: Stop comparing yourself to others . Take a two minute self appreciation break.

Answered 5/28/2015

2.8k views

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Ignore: Don't listen to the naysayers, as they are toxic to be with. Stick to your dreams and convictions!

Answered 7/1/2015

2.6k views

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Ignore: Be kind to yourself, people around you need it.

Answered 9/19/2015

2.3k views

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Ignore: Changing negative thoughts about yourself to positive ones boosts self-esteem. Give it a try!

Answered 4/25/2016

1.8k views

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