A LOOK AT SELF-ESTEEM

May 17, 2023

Self-esteem can take on different meanings for people depending on the context which they are in. Self-esteem is a complex entity that comprises a person’s overall sense of self including their self-worth, self-image, perception and beliefs about themselves and the world around them. Many factors can influence a person’s self-esteem, including: childhood trauma, judgemental authority figures early on in life, stressful life events, illnesses and bullying. In order to help improve one’s self-esteem, we must first identify if there are areas in which our self-esteem is lacking. 

Take a moment to explore the statements below and see if any of these apply to you.

1. Overly critical of yourself
2. Believe you do not deserve good things in life
3. Excessive self-blame
4. Struggles with confidence
5. Difficulties asking for support
6. Poor boundary-setting
7. Difficulty accepting compliments
8. Struggles with stating your opinion (especially if it differs from others)
9. View thoughts about yourself as facts
10. Comparing yourself to those around you

If these sound familiar, you may be struggling with low self-esteem. While this is common, low self-esteem can be detrimental to peoples’ self-confidence and overall mental health. Specifically, low self-esteem has been linked to symptoms of depression and anxiety in people. This relationship has been reported by several studies, as researchers stated that people struggling with low self-esteem often engage in self-deprecating behaviours, leading to feelings of low mood (depression) or excessive worry (anxiety).

In an attempt to combat this, researchers have also outlined ways people can begin to improve their self-esteem and relationship with themselves. When beginning your self-love journey, it is essential you are taking care of your body. This includes getting enough sleep, eating nutrient-dense foods, spending time outdoors and engaging in some form of physical activity.

Additionally, researchers suggest the following to help improve your self-esteem:

1. Draw attention to the way you speak to yourself. Is it positive or negative?
2. Challenge negative thoughts that arise
3. Begin setting boundaries when needed
4. Work on assertiveness and ability to say ‘no’
5. Begin forming positive relationships with people in your life and re-evaluate negative relationships
 
Although these 5 steps may not ‘cure’ your low self-esteem, they will allow you to begin forming a positive relationship with yourself. If you are struggling, it may be time to seek professional support from a therapist. Therapy is an excellent tool in helping people improve their relationships with themselves and their self-esteem. “You have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving yourself and see what happens” (Louise Hay).