▲Before trying to improve your self-esteem, it is important to understand why it's low. If you have problems with your weight or appearance, try to remember how they started. This may have been, for instance, because of a comment someone made.

▲Nancy Etcoff, a psychologist at Harvard Medical School, said there some studies indicate that when someone smiles they relax and feel more confident. Our mood improves when we smile. So try it, and see if it's really true.

▲It is normal to feel nervous when you walk into a room full of strangers. It is common to think that those people will not like you. But try not to do this. Don't always assume that people won'ot like you, but rather the opposite. Assume that people will like you and this will make you feel more confident.

▲A confident person looks at others in the eye. As much as this may cost you, eye contact is a powerful weapon and if you show confidence in the way you look at people, you will feel confident.

▲According to research conducted by the University of California, spending too much time looking in the mirror can make you less confident. The ideal is to use the mirror to touch up your appearance but not to make it a constant habit.

▲Even if you look regularly in the mirror, find something positive to admire about yourself. We tend to look at our imperfections, so look at what you think are the most beautiful features of your body.

▲To make mistakes is human, so we have to know learn how to accept them and to know that they will always happen occasionally. The focus is to understand where you have made a mistake, overcome it, and not to let it bring you down and demotivate you.

▲Exercising helps you to feel better about your body and it's beneficial for the mind.

▲It's very easy to remember what we have done wrong and to forget all that we have done right. So write down all your achievements and things you did well. This can help you feel less insecure.

▲Talking helps you to feel better about yourself and it's a great way to increase your network.

▲It may sound cliché, but if you devote some of your time to doing something you truly like, it will boost your confidence.

▲Learning something new, whether learning a different language, learning how to cook, or learning to play an instrument, can boost your confidence.

▲According to a study from Ohio State University, correcting your posture not only increases the health of your back, but it also gives you a more positive image of yourself.

▲Being excessively apologetic makes you insecure. Stop saying sorry and see how your confidence improves. Of course when you're really at fault and the situation is serious, do not hesitate to do so.

▲According to a University of North Carolina study, people who meditate up to five times a week have better self-esteem and confidence.

▲Giving is always better than receiving, and helping others without asking for anything in return is something that increases our self-esteem. You can, for instance, join a volunteer project and help those in need.

▲Completing a task that seems impossible, such as running a marathon, or simply doing something you fear, will make you stronger and more confident.

▲It may seem obvious, but a trip to the barbers, the hairdresser, or a beauty salon can help you feel refreshed and, as a consequence, make you feel better about yourself.

▲We are often our greatest enemy. It is important that you know yourself, your likes and dislikes. Know your limitations, your fears, your frustrations, and also know what makes you happy. This way your confidence will improve because you are self aware.

▲Know your principles and follow them without letting others break your beliefs. Having beliefs and principles shows that your character and personality are strong and that you have a direction in your life, so your confidence is on top.

▲The way you talk can say a lot about you, and a person who shows confidence and self-esteem always speaks in a more relaxed way at a slower pace. Speaking fast may show that you really have nothing important to say, and that you arn't concerned whether others understand what you say.

▲It is important to define a small objective and to achieve it. It doesn't have to be grandiose, just a simple thing that you can complete. You'll feel good about yourself and the more goals you complete, the better you will feel.

▲If you don't feel that you can change your self-esteem on your own, you may want to find a therapist who can help you achieve this. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you deal with negative thoughts and emotions in a healthier way.

▲If you have toxic people in your life who just make you feel bad, cut them out completely. It is important to surround yourself with positive people.

▲A healthy diet will help you not only feel better and healthier, but give you more energy, which can be converted into self-esteem. A person without energy rarely has stable mental health.

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The reality is that often trying to change may not be the best option. You are who you are, and if you try to change to please someone or try to copy others, you will realize, sooner or later, that this is not the right path and that happiness and trust are not achieved this way.

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Do you feel anxious or panicked when you have to talk to certain people? Feeling insecure is a natural thing, but it is also something that can be worked on and improved.

Having good self-esteem and self-confidence are key factors to be successful in the workplace, with friends, and even with family.

Click on the following slides and become a more confident person starting today!