The way you feel about yourself, your self-esteem, impacts your happiness level and also can make life more or less stressful for you. For example, if you trust your ability to handle what comes, you will be more likely to see difficult situations as a challenge instead of as a threat; conversely, if you don’t trust your own ability to handle things, you will be more likely to see new situations as threatening and stress-provoking.
“Self-efficacy” is the feeling that you are capable and resourceful, and this can contribute both to self-esteem and to stress management.
There are several things you can do to raise your self-esteem and self-efficacy that are also highly effective stress relievers. This can work in multiple ways to help you feel more in control of your life and build resilience. It can also help you to enjoy your life more. If you feel that your self-esteem could use a boost, these are the activities to try. See what resonates with you, and give them a try.
If you are able to develop the ability to see the glass as half-full, this can contribute to feelings of self-efficacy as well as overall happiness and peace of mind. Moreover, there are many proven benefits to optimism, so developing a greater sense of it, creating thinking habits that skew toward optimism, can provide these benefits for your health and general happiness.
Optimism involves more than simply “looking on the bright side,” however; it is a trait that can be developed by shifting your focus and self-talk, but there need to be specific ways in which you view the world. Learn more about how to become an optimistic thinker.