Self Esteem – A Better Mindset
If you are suffering from low self-esteem, you can use some coping strategies and feel good about yourself again.
In this article, I’ll talk about what is self-esteem, reasons for low self-esteem, and strategies to cope with it and have a better mindset.
It’s important to note that low self-esteem isn’t a mental health problem in itself. But, if you leave it without addressing it for a long time, it can easily cause mental health problems like depression and anxiety.
What is Self-Esteem?
Self-esteem is how you perceive yourself to be. It is your sense of personal value and worth. In other words, it is a measure of how much you like and appreciate yourself. There are other terms to describe this concept. These include “Self-respect”, “Self-regard”, and “Self-worth”.
Why is Self-Esteem Important?
Self-esteem has a vital role in your overall well-being. It impacts your relationships, decisions, and emotional health.
Healthy self-esteem helps you:
- Have a good understanding of your potential and skills
- Maintain healthy relationships with others
- Have realistic expectations of yourself
- Understand your needs better
Factors that Affect Your Self-Esteem & Mental Health
There can be different factors that affect your self-esteem. They also vary depending on the individual. Generally, the self-esteem of a person can be affected by:
- Age
- Genetics
- Illness
- Physical abilities
- Thought patterns
- Disability
- Discrimination
- Financial problems
- Relationship issues
There might be more factors that can have a significant impact on your self-esteem. A mental health counselor can help you in that regard. But, whatever the root cause is, there are perfectly effective ways to boost your self-esteem.
Improving Your Mental Self-Esteem – Transcend to a Better Mental Mindset
Fortunately, you can make small yet significant changes in your life to have a healthier mental mindset.
Let’s talk about a few of them:
Be mindful of negative thoughts: Identify negative thoughts that are bringing you down and reducing your sense of self-worth.
Counter negative thought patterns: When you feel your mind is engaging in negative thinking, try and counter them with positive thoughts.
Use positive self-talk: Practice positive self-talk to keep your self-esteem up.
Let a professional help you: If you think your thoughts are too overwhelming to control, get in touch with someone who can help.
Keep in mind that you might not be able to eliminate some causes of low self-esteem. For instance, genetics, personality, and early childhood experience.
But, that doesn’t mean you can’t address them. No matter the cause, talking to a mental health counselor will help you boost your self-esteem and move towards a better mindset.
Final Thoughts
Self-esteem is a sense of personal worth. How much do you respect and value yourself determines your self-esteem. It is an important aspect of your personality because it affects almost every sphere of your life.
Fortunately, improving self-esteem and developing a healthy mindset are possible. You can either make some lifestyle changes yourself or you can get help from a professional mental health counselor. The important thing is taking action and ask for help.
