How's Your Self-Esteem, Baby Boomer?

By Amy Sherman

What do you know about your self-esteem? In general, self-esteem is the mental image you hold about who you are. As you age, your self-esteem will naturally improve, since you don't have to deal with the silly adolescent pressures of your youth. In fact, most people think of adults as being confident, self-assured and capable. But as you know, you have moments of insecurity and doubt that leave you feeling inept and uncertain. One thing is definite. Changes in health, life-style, family roles, activities and finances may adversely affect your self-concept and self-esteem.

Here are some tips to help boost your self-image and put you back on the road to self-confidence and self-belief.

1. Remain in control of your health. Eat a nutritious diet designed to maintain your good health. For instance, if you have high blood pressure, be sure to adhere to a low-sodium dietary protocol because it will assure your feeling good and keeping your heart healthy.

2. Manage your time effectively. Stay mentally active in life-long learning classes. Include daily physical exercise programs, volunteer, have family outings, all with the intent of making your day full and pleasing.

3. Maintain a strong social life, doing things with others who share your same interests. Being involved in church or civic groups, political organizations, adventure and sporting events, etc keep you involved and engaged in activities with other interesting people.

4. Remind yourself of who you are and what you have accomplished over your lifetime. Reassess your contributions to others and to the broader community and continue to give what you can, when you can.

5. With your children older or out of the house, you may feel less important or valued. Examine new options for making your life exciting and even better. There may be new methods you can learn for improving old skills. For instance, many midlife adults go back to hobbies they put aside years ago, only to learn a better or more efficient technique.

A good self-esteem will keep you happier, healthier and feeling younger. What do you know about your self-esteem? It never has to go down or be diminished because of the natural changes that occur in your life. You can maintain a strong self-image when you maintain your personal sense of control and take charge of your life's plan.

Amy Sherman, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor in private practice. Amy is the author of the ebook, "Distress-Free Aging: A Boomer's Guide to Creating a Fulfilled and Purposeful Life." She specializes in issues specific to the 40+ generation and is available for telephone coaching, face-to-face therapy, teleseminars, radio and TV interviews. For more information, go to http://www.bummedoutboomer.com sign up for her free newsletter and receive a Special Report on Overcoming Adversity. She can be reached by email at amy@bummedoutboomer.com or by phone at 561) 281-2975.

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