Self-esteem is the positive or negative evaluations of the self, as in how we feel about it. It is an attractive psychological construct because it predicts specific outcomes, such as academic achievement, happiness, satisfaction in life in general, marriage, relationships and unusual behaviour. People with a healthy level of self-esteem can work towards finding their solutions and voicing their uneasiness without hurting themselves or others when challenges arise. They can act according to what they think is the best choice, trusting their judgement and not feeling guilty when others do not like their options.

Low self-esteem can result from various factors, including genetic factors, physical appearance, mental health, socio-economic status, emotional experiences, social stigmas, peer pressure or bullying. On the other hand, a person with low self-esteem may show heavy self-criticism, dissatisfaction, negative feelings, relationship problems, fear of trying, perfectionism, fear of judgement, low resilience, lack of self-care and self-harming behaviour. Individuals with low self-esteem also tend to be critical of themselves. When you have healthy and positive self-esteem, you feel good about yourself and see yourself as deserving respect from others and yourself. But, when one has low self-esteem, they don’t respect their opinions and ideas.

People with low self-esteem are highly critical of themselves and avoid new things. Low self-esteem is also always accompanied by a high amount of ego. Such people feel unloved and unwanted. They also blame others for their own mistakes and cannot deal with normal levels of frustration. Negative self-talk, comparison to others, and difficulty making friends are some signs of low self-esteem. Such people assume that luck plays a significant role in all their achievements, and they don’t take credit for their accomplishments. They also find it hard to believe when others compliment them.

Common causes of lowered self-esteem include unhappy childhood, poor academic performance in school or ongoing stressful life events. Such people are more likely to have been in an abusive relationship or have an ongoing medical problem or mental illness.

There are several ways to improve one’s self-esteem. It could include accepting one’s thoughts, valuing one’s achievements and talking positively with oneself. Acknowledging the positives in life and appreciating one’s unique qualities can also help raise low self-esteem.

One should try to forget the past, tell a positive message daily, and focus on the present. Being assertive and not comparing oneself to others will also pose a great way to build lasting self-esteem. Physical exercise is proven to be good for health and influences how we look at ourselves. Walking at least 30 minutes a day or going for a swim are some simple ways which can set us on the right path. Last but not least is our relationships with others. Spending time with people who make a person happy and not wasting time on people who don’t treat one well are benefits for improving our self-esteem.

Self-esteem is the positive or negative evaluations of the self, as in how we feel about it. It is an attractive psychological construct because it predicts specific outcomes, such as academic achievement, happiness, satisfaction in life in general, marriage, relationships and unusual behaviour. People with a healthy level of self-esteem can work towards finding their solutions and voicing their uneasiness without hurting themselves or others when challenges arise. They can act according to what they think is the best choice, trusting their judgement and not feeling guilty when others do not like their options.

As a Mental Health Professional, Dr Nisha Khanna proffers online,  telephonically and face-to-face Counselling Services. If you live in Delhi, India or any other part of the World, you can approach us through any of these mediums. For further details, visit Bye Tense, or call us at +91-9818211474