The adage "happiness is the key to life" starts making more sense as we move further ahead in the journey of life. In this fast-paced age, there is a constant struggle between getting things done mechanically and looking after our mental health. It is somewhere between this struggle that our self-worth is compromised and we find ourselves amidst a sense of low self-esteem. Your opinion about yourself is extremely important as it directly affects the quality of life you lead. Therefore, while you may feel trapped, there are ways you can gain confidence, bring self-assurance to life and boost your self-esteem. Read on to know more.
Why is healthy self-esteem important?
A healthy image of oneself can impact not only better the quality of life, but also its very longevity. Not only do you value yourself better, but it also significantly contributes to your personal growth. You have a functional and happy relationship with all those who are part of your life, and more importantly with yourself. You gain the ability to make the right choices and decisions for yourself, ensuring your happiness.
Signs to look out for when someone is having low self-esteem
- There is a constant traffic of negative thoughts in your head which often leads to under performance and stops you from reaching your full potential.
- It can lead to various other mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, sleeplessness etc.
- Your relationships often become dysfunctional. Remember that you can love others only when you have a love for yourself first.
- As the problem grows, the suffering and the pain associated increases which leads one to adopt unhealthy habits such as smoking, alcohol dependence etc.
Ways to boost your self-esteem and flourish your mental health
1. Treat yourself the way you would want to be treated by others
In the case of low self-esteem, people often forget their self-worth. There might be constant effort to seek validation from outside, but one must instill the habit of self-validation and self-empowerment in the form of self-appreciation and self-love. It is only when you treat yourself well that the world will embrace you with equal respect and love.
2. Keep realistic expectations from yourself
Super humans are a thing on the big screen. In real life, we can only do so much. You must allow yourself to make mistakes and set achievable goals. Sense of failure coming from very high, unrealistic goals affect your tremendous potential. Realistic expectations are a great way to maintain self-assurance, sense of achievement and self-motivation.
3. Be mindful of your thoughts
Acknowledging your positive and negative thoughts can help you figure out what to filter out to stay mindful and emotionally fit. Once you can identify your negative thoughts as negative, you will be able to confront them objectively and accept it. This practice goes a long way in ensuring personal growth and inculcates self-acceptance.
4. Put yourself first and be yourself
You are the captain of your ship, you know what is best and you are your cheerleader. You should never hesitate to put your mental health and your happiness first. Learn to say no, go ahead and do things that make you happy. Once you start valuing yourself like this, your self-esteem will see a significant boost. Self-empowerment is one of the best ways to foster self-love.
5. Consider therapy and seek professional help when needed
There can be situations when things seem out of control and that you feel too alone to deal with your emotional distress. Seeking professional help is always a good option. Just like our physical well being, our emotional well being demands professional assistance. A counselor, psychologist or psychiatrist can help you navigate your thoughts better, seek clarity and help you figure out the best way to manage your emotional wellness.
Build a healthy self-image, boost your self-esteem and begin your journey towards a long, happy and healthy life.
