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New year, new you – four words we hear every January that remind us it’s time to focus on self-improvement. But, what happens when self-improvement turns into self-doubt and judgment? If you feel like New Year’s resolutions cause more stress than joy, you’re not alone. Enter World Health Esteem Month, a time dedicated not to pressuring ourselves to achieve impossible goals, but to boosting our confidence, self-esteem, and overall well-being.
What Is World Health Esteem Month?
World Health Esteem Month was founded by BODi, formerly Beachbody, an El Segundo-based company focused on exercise, nutrition, and health esteem. BODi seeks to reject the standard fitness and diet industry that encourages self-criticism and instead encourages others to appreciate themselves for who they are, and to make the small changes that enhance life in the biggest ways.
But, What Exactly Is “Health Esteem”?
Health Esteem is a new kind of whole-body fitness approach centered on positive self-esteem and embracing what makes you, you, while championing the best version of yourself you seek to achieve – without the judgement and stress of New Year’s resolutions.
Health Esteem Is Better for Self-Esteem
New Year’s resolutions aren’t new. In fact, they date back thousands of years, which means people have been struggling to live up to their own self-imposed expectations for just as long. Health Esteem seeks to remove the pressure of those expectations by focusing not on the “ideal you” but on the small changes you can make over time in a matter that best sets you up for success, without self-judgement.
How Can I Benefit from Health Esteem?
Change how you approach New Year’s “resolutions” by changing your mindset and the way you approach self-improvement:
Take Small Steps
Oftentimes, we make resolutions that require large leaps – a brand-new job/career, paying off high debts, sticking to a year-long exercise schedule, going back to school, and so on. The larger the reach, the more likely we are to give up before getting there. Change this annual pattern by starting small and setting simpler goals that are easier to achieve. Maybe you can’t go back to school, but you can take a month-long online certification course. Or, you can’t justify a gym membership expense, but you can do 20 minutes of exercise at home. Making these day-by-day goals is more realistic and allows for more celebrations throughout the year as you accomplish them.
Embrace Imperfection
Knowing there’s no such thing as perfect is easier than accepting it. Still, aiming for perfection only leaves us feeling disappointed in ourselves. Do yourself, and your health esteem, a favor by celebrating your achievements in whatever form they happen. A finished project may have hiccups along the way, a test may have a couple wrong answers, the scale might be just a few pounds off – and that’s okay. Flaws are okay, because you still succeeded.
Silence Your Inner Critic
We all have one, that voice inside our heads casting doubts on our goals and emotions. Knowing it’s there is half the battle. Learn how to identify that inner critic and replace negative thoughts with positive ones. A good way to start is by not comparing yourself to others, or you’ll always be putting yourself up against the potential for self-doubt. Instead, focus on your own achievements, motivations, and personal victories as a way to appreciate yourself and boost your health esteem.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
We all know that sleep is important to recharge your mind and body. But did you also know that proper sleep can help you combat depression, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve concentration and memory? All great factors in boosting your health esteem! Improve your sleep quality by going to bed at a reasonable hour, implementing a “no screens in bed” rule, and vowing to wake up on the first alarm (or maybe that first snooze…).
Eat Well
A balanced, healthy diet does wonders for your health esteem. Take time to eat breakfast (even if that means getting up a little earlier), a nutritious lunch, and a homecooked dinner to hit all the food groups – and opt for healthy over sugary snacks in between. If cooking every day feels overwhelming, try meal planning so you can prep the week’s dishes in advance and reduce time spent in the kitchen while ensuring you’re getting all the nutrients needed. Not only will your body perform its best, but you’ll also feel better about yourself!
Exercise Regularly
Eating well is just one step to keeping your body and mind in shape. Another part is physical exercise, an important component to health esteem that benefits your entire well-being. You don’t have to hit the gym five times a week to experience these benefits either (but if that’s your workout style, go for it!). A walk around the block, a set of pushups and crunches, squats at your standing desk, or a YouTube yoga class at home are all smaller alternatives to get you moving, and moving regularly.
Practice Self-Care
The New Year is full of activity. Going back to work or school after holiday breaks, finally taking down all those holiday decorations, and, of course, getting a jump start on New Year’s resolutions. Don’t let the pressure January brings cause stress and anxiety. Take a step back when you need to while indulging in self-care that boosts your mood and allows for more positive thinking. This could be a relaxing bath, quiet time as you walk around the neighborhood or through a park, putting a puzzle together, getting a long massage, and any other activities that make you feel good about yourself.
Surround Yourself with Support
Being around people who care about you and want to see you succeed is vital for your health esteem. The more positive and supportive your environment, the more likely you are to feel great about yourself and believe that you can achieve your goals. Plus, positivity is contagious! As your mood lifts and you find yourself happier each day, you’ll pass those vibes along to others in your company to boost their overall well-beings as well.
Remember, You Are Amazing!
No matter your goals and the obstacles faced along the path to achieving them, know that you’re awesome and you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Celebrate those accomplishments every step of the way, from the biggest record-setting goals to the smaller victories, to better focus on the positive moments that truly strengthen your health esteem.
By making these small but effective changes, you are making healthier choices and more attainable goals to tackle in the New Year. As we move into 2026, treat yourself with the kindness you deserve, practice gratitude for who you are and the life you live, and enjoy more positive self-improvement traditions as you celebrate your Health Esteem!
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Sources:
Ideas for Building a Healthy Self-Image and Improving Self-Esteem
Mental Health America
4 Ways to Celebrate & Bolster Your Health Esteem
Lehigh Center for Clinical Research
