Have you ever heard the saying "only you can make yourself happy"? Well, as trite as it seems, it may be true. A surprising survey of adults by the American Psychological Association has shown that the most important factor to happiness and well-being is self-esteem. Also important were feelings of independence and competency, often brought about by high self-esteem. Surprisingly, common traits like popularity, power, money or luxury were rated the lowest.

Having a positive self-image can be difficult, especially if one is affected by life's hardships, such as a disability, poor health, or financial or other major problems. But there are things you can do to improve your self-image and self-esteem. These things can, in turn, improve other aspects of your life like academic or financial success, relationships, and even health.