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.
However, we know that believing in yourself and accepting yourself for who you are is an important factor in success, relationships, and happiness and that self-esteem plays an important role in living a flourishing life. It provides us with belief in our abilities and the motivation to carry them out, ultimately reaching fulfilment as we navigate life with a positive outlook.
Various studies have confirmed that self-esteem has a direct relationship with our overall well-being, and we would do well to keep this fact in mind—both for ourselves and for those around us, particularly the developing children we interact with.
How to Test your Level of Self-Esteem
Becoming aware of your self-esteem patterns is one way to determine whether you have a low or healthy level of self-esteem. Signs of low self-esteem include not valuing your thoughts, opinions, or ideas or knowing your inherent value and worth, Cole says. You may also constantly worry or fear that you are not good enough and seek validation from external sources. Cole says signs of healthy self-esteem include having self-respect, feeling good about yourself, as well as knowing your preferences, limits, and non-negotiables and communicating them with others.
Another way Cole recommends testing is by getting honest with yourself and asking yourself a few questions such as: Do you genuinely like yourself? Are you aware of your unique gifts and talents? Can you list qualities you love about yourself? And do you feel worthy of love, attention, respect, and kindness? The more you respond yes to these questions, the higher your self-esteem.
How to Increase your Self Esteem
• Don’t lie to yourself
First of all, tell yourself about the lack, fear and lack of confidence inside you, accept it well and decide that it has to be corrected in any case.
• Start with your loved ones
If you lack confidence you are not able to speak among many people. In such a situation, start speaking among the members of the house and friends and do not be afraid to make fun of it. Contribute to the small functions of the house and apply your percentage, this will increase your confidence.
• Stay away from negative thinking
Do not work with the hope of not getting any work done, doing so will reduce both your confidence and enthusiasm, always carry whatever scope is there for the work to be done.
• Do Not compare yourself with others
If you want to increase self-confidence, then instead of focusing on the lives of others, focus on the activities of your life. No one is the same in the world, some are rich, some are poor, some are very beautiful and some are smart. Seeing all this lowers your confidence and makes you feel that the person in front of you can do better. But you have to get rid of all these thoughts, then only you will be able to increase your confidence. Just always try to be happy with yourself and accept every situation.
• Be with people who can help build your confidence
Hang out with people you enjoy being with or who boost your self-confidence. This way you will feel good for yourself and will help fight negative thoughts. Apart from this, stay away from people with whom you do not feel good. The less you stay with such people, the more your confidence will increase. Take some time and think about who are the people you feel good with or who can help build your confidence.
