This is your wake-up call - literally. Running on too little sleep can have detrimental effects on your mind, body, and brain. For years we have known that sleep deprivation was bad for our mental and physical health and now more alarming research has linked lack of sleep to higher stress, low self-esteem, physical health issues, and even brain damage.

So you've been stuck in a rut, lost the momentum or are feeling less than jazzed about your life. Maybe the dreams you wanted aren't so great in reality or the ideas you thought would bring you happiness are no longer serving you. Sound familiar? Your confidence and self-esteem takes a hit when you're stuck in a rut; you lose life-balance and tend to freeze or take a few steps back into your comfort zone.

Therapist Emily Roberts explains how small acts of self-care, some take less then a minute, can raise your self-esteem and make you happier.

Words matter and female role-models mean more than you may think. The 'Ban Bossy' campaign brings more awareness to the confidence gap that keeps girls from being assertive and in leadership roles.

Positive thinking is essential to self-confidence and overall health. According to the Mayo Clinic, positive thinking is scientifically linked to longer lives, lower rates of depression, increased immunity, and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. We have been conditioned to think negatively, compare ourselves to others, and get stuck in self-deprecating cycles of worry. It’s all around us, in the news, on your Facebook feed, even in your home. So how do you make the shift to feeling more positive and confident? Start small, with positive and intentional actions every day. The more you practice positive thoughts and behaviors, the more confident and self-assured you will feel. Here are ten ways you can feel more positive and confident every day.

Parents and environment impact the development of eating disorders. #EDA2014 become aware of how you can prevent eating disorders in your child.

Are habits hurting your self-esteem? Emily Roberts identifies 4 common habits that hurt self-esteem and how-to get rid of them for good.

Are you looking for love in all the wrong places? Perhaps you're single and searching for that soul mate. Maybe you're in a happy, committed relationship, but still feel like you want something more. No matter what your relationship status, looking for love starts with looking inwards. Looking for love involves looking at your self-esteem and confidence. It's more about the relationship you have with yourself than anyone else. Love attracts love; negative feelings attract more negative feelings. You may be looking for love, but what are you really attracting?

You probably have someone in mind right now. Learn how to stop attracting mean people into your life and build your self-esteem.

The right book can crack you open to fantastic feelings. When you find one that resonates with you, it can help break patterns that keep you from living the life you want. Looking for a good read that will get you thinking in a new way, feel happier, and gain tools to keep you from falling back into the cycle of low self-esteem? These may do the trick.