What is self-esteem?
Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself, or the opinion you have about yourself. Everyone has times when they feel a bit low or find it hard to believe in themselves. However, if this becomes a long-term situation, this can lead to problems, including mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. Some of the symptoms of low self-esteem can also be a sign of these problems.
Why do people experience low self-esteem?
There are many reasons why someone might have low self-esteem. However, it often starts in childhood, perhaps with a feeling that you were unable to live up to expectations. It can also be the result of expectations. It can also be the result of adult experiences such as difficult relationship, either personal or at work.
Improving self-esteem
1. Identify the positive sides of yourself
It is a good idea to write down positive things about yourself, such as being good at sports, or nice things people have said to you. When you start to feel low, look back at these things, and remind yourself that there is plenty of good about you.
2. Build Positive Relationships
If there are people who make you feel bad about yourself, it is in your best interest to try to avoid them. Build relationships with people who make you feel good about yourself and avoid the relationships that drag you down.
3. Improve your physical health
It is much easier to feel good about ourselves when we are fit and healthy. However, people with low self-esteem often neglect themselves, because they do not feel that they deserve to be looked after.
4. Be more assertive
People with low self-esteem often find it hard to stand up for themselves or say no to others. Developing your assertiveness can therefore help to improve your self-esteem. Sometimes acting as if you believed in yourself can actually help to increase self-belief.
5. Take on challenges
One way to improve your self-esteem can actually be to take on challenges. This does not mean that you need to do everything yourself, but be prepared to try something that you know will be difficult to achieve.
Summary
When you feel good, or you do something good, celebrate it – but don’t beat yourself up if you occasionally slip back into negative patterns of thinking. Just pick yourself up again and try to think more positively. Eventually, this will become a habit and you will find that your self-esteem has quietly got better.