One consistency among many teenagers is a struggle with self-esteem. Whether it is a general dislike for certain characteristics of your appearance and personality or a general feeling of failure, everyone has experienced self-doubt at one point in their life. Low self-esteem can lead to many health issues, including mental illness. It can become a distraction from important parts of life, such as schoolwork and relationships. However, there are many ways to improve your image of yourself and not allow self-doubt to take over your life. 

  Let us start with food. Yes, eating food can improve your confidence! It seems crazy, right? Certain foods include mood-boosting qualities, such as unrefined carbohydrates. Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables all fall into this category. Carbohydrate-rich foods increase serotonin in the brain and include protein, which is necessary to sustain energy levels throughout the day. Not to mention, these are all healthy, lean foods which are sustainable choices. Additionally, as sad as it is, sugar has been proven to decrease mood. It is a human instinct to reach for a sugary snack when feeling sad, but while this is a temporary boost, energy levels will crash. The inconsistency in blood sugar will result in a disruption of mood, leaving you tired. So, next time you feel the urge to grab a sweet treat, resist and replace it with fruit. Your mood will reflect the decision. 

  Now, there are several general actions to take that will result in a happier, more confident you. First of all, act positively. If you change what you do, you change what you are. Banish negative thoughts from your mind and learn to focus on the positives instead. Next, set small goals and achieve them. Instead of changing a big habit, make a small change. Drink an extra glass of water. Write things down in an agenda. Study for a test. These small goals will remind you of your successes and that you are capable of making changes and controlling your life. This sense of achievement is an important contribution to gaining self-confidence. Finally, become more organized. Think of your life as an exam. If you do not study for the exam, you will be worried and stressed. More importantly, you will be unprepared, and your performance will most likely be poor. However, if you study for the test, you will be confident in your abilities regarding the material and will go into the exam feeling confident and prepared. “Having an organized schedule and being prepared makes me less stressed, so I can go through my day without worrying about what I have due and be confident in my abilities,” said junior Mary Claire Wise. Prepare yourself for life’s obstacles. Write down plans and assignments that you have coming up. Study for your classes and become knowledgeable on topics being studied. If you have a big event coming up, give yourself time to get ready. Take the extra moment to pick an outfit that makes you feel confident. Give yourself time to plan for anything life will throw at you, and your confidence in dealing with these events will increase drastically. 

  Self-confidence is a fragile thing. It takes time to build it and only one event to fracture it. However, if you spend time practicing healthy habits, you will develop a strong sense of confidence that will make you feel overall happier, and allow you to spend time doing things that you love instead of worrying and doubting yourself.