How Does Self-esteem Affect Your Health?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Living with low self-esteem can harm your mental health and lead to problems such as depression and anxiety. You may also develop unhelpful habits , such as smoking and drinking too much, as a way of coping.

What are some effects of high self-esteem on health?

According to the American Psychological Association, having high self-esteem is key to positive mental health and well-being. High self-esteem matters because it helps you develop coping skills, handle adversity, and put the negative into perspective .

How can low self-esteem affect you physically?

Low self-esteem has been shown to lead to mental and physical health issues like depression, anxiety, and anorexia. It can also lead to unhealthy habits like smoking tobacco, alcohol abuse, or drug use .

What are the effects of self-esteem?

Self-esteem impacts your decision-making process, your relationships, your emotional health, and your overall well-being . It also influences motivation, as people with a healthy, positive view of themselves understand their potential and may feel inspired to take on new challenges.

Why is self-esteem so important to overall health?

According to the American Psychological Association, having high self-esteem is key to positive mental health and well-being. High self-esteem matters because it helps you develop coping skills, handle adversity, and put the negative into perspective .

What are the 4 signs of low self-esteem?

  • saying negative things and being critical about yourself.
  • focusing on your negatives and ignoring your achievements.
  • thinking other people are better than you.
  • not accepting compliments.
  • feeling sad, depressed, anxious, ashamed or angry.

What mental illness causes low self-esteem?

Whilst low self-esteem does not make up a condition alone, in combination with other symptoms it can point to conditions including (but not limited to) anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and personality disorders .

What are the signs of healthy self-esteem?

  • Assertive in expressing your needs and opinions.
  • Confident in your ability to make decisions.
  • Able to form secure and honest relationships — and less likely to stay in unhealthy ones.
  • Realistic in your expectations and less likely to be overcritical of yourself and others.

What are the 3 types of self-esteem?

This study investigated the relation between three types of self-esteem and subjective well-being (SWB). The three types of self-esteem are sense of superiority, others’ approval, and uniqueness .

How can I rebuild my self-esteem?

  1. Recognise what you’re good at. We’re all good at something, whether it’s cooking, singing, doing puzzles or being a friend. ...
  2. Build positive relationships. ...
  3. Be kind to yourself. ...
  4. Learn to be assertive. ...
  5. Start saying “no” ...
  6. Give yourself a challenge.

Where do self-esteem issues come from?

Some of the many causes of low self-esteem may include: Unhappy childhood where parents (or other significant people such as teachers) were extremely critical. Poor academic performance in school resulting in a lack of confidence. Ongoing stressful life event such as relationship breakdown or financial trouble.

What are the negatives of high self-esteem?

People with overly high self-esteem are often arrogant, self-indulgent, and express feelings of entitlement . They tend to overlook their own flaws and criticize others. Low self-esteem: Feeling inferior to others. People with low self-esteem value the opinions of others above their own.

Why is it important to value yourself?

Here’s why: When we value others, we value ourselves more —we elevate our sense of well-being and facilitate our health, growth, and development. (Think of how you feel when you’re loving and compassionate to those you love.) ... A radical approach to self-value makes these and other maladaptive ego defenses unnecessary.

What age group has the lowest self-esteem?

Self-esteem was lowest among young adults but increased throughout adulthood, peaking at age 60, before it started to decline. These results are reported in the latest issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, published by the American Psychological Association.

What are 3 examples of low self-esteem?

  • You’re a people-pleaser. ...
  • You feel needy or unworthy. ...
  • You struggle to build healthy relationships. ...
  • You have a poor self-image. ...
  • You experience negative self-talk. ...
  • You compare yourself to others. ...
  • You experience self-doubt. ...
  • You avoid self-expression.

How do you cure low self-esteem?

  1. Use hopeful statements. Treat yourself with kindness and encouragement. ...
  2. Forgive yourself. ...
  3. Avoid ‘should’ and ‘must’ statements. ...
  4. Focus on the positive. ...
  5. Consider what you’ve learned. ...
  6. Relabel upsetting thoughts. ...
  7. Encourage yourself.
James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.