Self-esteem is quite simply your opinion of yourself. Everyone judges personalities and people differently. This can make self-esteem tricky! Your self-esteem is the amount of worth or value you have assigned to your existence. Healthy self-esteem means that you respect yourself and respect your ideas. To experience true joy and self-love, we must learn to protect and improve our self-esteem!
Why Self-Esteem Matters?
Self-esteem matters because, without healthy self-esteem, life would be unenjoyable. Low self-esteem can affect your trust in yourself and others. Not trusting yourself or your value can adversely affect you mentally and emotionally; this is why it is vital to improve your self-esteem.
Fostering healthy self-esteem allows you to take pride in your ideas and add value to your life. If you like yourself, you will believe that others will like you, as well. On the other hand, if you have low self-esteem and don’t like yourself, you probably won’t expect others to either. Consider the causes and effects of low self-esteem and why you should chase after high self-esteem!
What Threatens our Self-Esteem in Today’s Society?
As with all things, learning what threatens your self-esteem enables you to better protect it. Likewise, understanding self-esteem and its effects on your life is the first step to improving it!
Causes of Low Self-Esteem
- Chronic Pain
- Bullying
- Stressful Life Events
- Financial Trouble
- Trauma or Abuse
- Unattainable Goal Setting
- Unhealthy Relationships
Effects of Low Self-Esteem
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Lack of Connections
- Unhealthy Relationships
- Isolation
- Strained School/Work Performance
How Can We Protect and Improve Our Self-Esteem?
By improving self-esteem, you are protecting yourself from the unhealthy effects of low self-esteem. Those with higher self-esteem are less likely to experience anxiety, depression, eating disorders, isolation, etc.
Treat Yourself as a Friend
If you are a good friend you are probably honest, trustworthy, a good listener, supportive, and generally happy to spend quality time with those you love. Sometimes being a friend to someone we know is easier than being a friend to ourselves. Thankfully, learning to be a good friend isn’t that hard!
You should treat yourself as you would a friend. Listen to your fears, support your decisions, spend time with yourself, compliment yourself, take the time to understand your feelings, and the list goes on. Treating yourself better will help you see your worthiness and boost your self-esteem.
Find Your Passions and Hobbies
By cultivating your passions, you can enjoy the things that make you happy. Don’t worry about what others might think! Do the things you love, no matter how small or trivial.
Some examples may include: bubble baths, baking, painting, walks downtown, listening to Christmas music all year long, etc.
By cultivating your likes and passions, you are building a trusting relationship with yourself. Treat yourself with kindness to win back your trust and improve your self-esteem.
Set Goals
Setting goals is a great way to set yourself up for success. When you set goals and accomplish them, you will feel empowered and full of purpose. Goals do not have to be complicated; they can be simple. Some examples may include: writing in a gratitude journal every day, calling a friend once a week, or moving your body three times a week in an enjoyable way.
Try using the SMART method when setting your goals.
Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Time-Bound
Seek Outside Help
For those that live with low self-esteem, it is pertinent they receive the help that they require. Sometimes the little tips and tricks can feel overwhelming to do alone. Consider seeking professional help.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can aid individuals that wish to understand and heal low self-esteem patterns. If you desire to learn more about self-esteem or therapy options, consider contacting a therapist you can trust. Some therapy outlines give you unlimited access to self-esteem articles and around-the-clock therapists! Seeking professional help can give you the boost you need to protect and improve your self-esteem!
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
