Surprising Things That Can Boost Your Self-Esteem

An antidote for life's put-downs: sit-ups—12 extra ones. Or one more volley, two more staircases, four surplus squats. To pump up deflated self-esteem and improve overall life satisfaction, extend your normal exercise for just a few minutes more than usual, found a study led by Jaclyn Maher at Penn State University (and if you don't have a routine, do a little exercise of any sort, she says). It's well documented that a workout improves mood, but Maher says that making the extra effort when the ego is weak may also strengthen a feeling of control—which leads to self-confidence.