February is International Boost Self-Esteem Month

Self-esteem. It’s a constant topic of discussion, especially with the rise of social media throughout the past decade. While children and teenagers are often the focus of such discussions, the truth is that low self-esteem is not only a problem amongst young people.

Adults also struggle to maintain healthy self-esteem. Thankfully, there are ways to raise awareness and provide support for mental health issues. February is International Boost Self-Esteem Month! Let’s talk about some ways to boost your self-esteem in adulthood.

Understanding Self-Esteem and Its Importance

So, what exactly is self-esteem? Simply put, self-esteem is self-respect. It is the confidence a person has in her or her own abilities. It is the measurement of self-worth. Self-esteem is how we perceive ourselves, how we feel about ourselves, and how we value ourselves.

But, why is self-esteem so important? Well, how you value yourself can affect many aspects of your life. Your self-esteem has an impact on how much you care about yourself which, in turn, can often have an effect on your relationships and communication with others.

Self-esteem can also affect whether or not you recognize your personal strengths. A healthy level of self-respect can have an effect on your ability to move past your mistakes, achieve new possibilities, make decisions for yourself, believe in your own abilities, and be kind to yourself.

Needless to say, all of these abilities are incredibly important when you’re trying to be mentally healthy and take care of your mind. But, they are also critical to the development of healthy interpersonal relationships.

For example, a person who has low self-esteem may not feel worthy or even able to have true love. Therefore, their romantic relationships may not flourish. Low self-esteem may also prevent people from fully applying themselves in a work environment. This can lead to poor connections with coworkers or employers.

Ultimately, the way one perceives oneself has a large impact on their everyday life. Thankfully, International Boost Self-Esteem Month raises awareness about self-worth and what we believe about ourselves.

Top Reasons for Low Self-Esteem Among Adults

Again, self-esteem issues are often associated with young people. Children and teens are frequently the targets of self-esteem-boosting conversations and efforts. But, truth be told, many adults struggle to maintain a healthy level of confidence and self-worth.

Some of the reasons why adults suffer from low self-esteem may actually be much like the reasons young people do. Other causes of low self-esteem among adults may be entirely different from the reasons for low self-esteem in kids and teenagers. In a lot of cases, however, low self-esteem in adults actually began developing during childhood or teenage years.

Some causes of low self-esteem in adults may include the following:

• Bullying: Sadly, it’s not uncommon to run into bullies at school. But, even adults face bullies. They may encounter bullies at work or even in their families. People who often feel inferior or undesirable due to the maltreatment they receive from bullies will likely have low self-esteem.
• Trauma: Some adults are still dealing with the effects of traumatic events that took place in their childhood. Others may be experiencing the impact of adulthood trauma. In any case, encounters with traumatic events can lead to low self-confidence and self-worth. Physical, emotional, and sexual abuse can all lead to poor self-esteem.
• Social Media: It doesn’t just impact the younger generations. Adults who are exposed to social media on a regular basis may develop self-esteem issues. They may feel that they are not attractive enough as they compare themselves to social media influencers. They may feel like inadequate caretakers of the home when they see the homes of others.
• Parental Issues During Childhood: Parental divorce, abandonment, and more can cause children to grow into adults who have low self-esteem. The way people feel about themselves can have roots in how they were raised. Adults who were raised by abusive or non-present parents can feel undesirable or unhappy with themselves.

These and many more issues can cause people to have low self-esteem in adulthood. Unfortunately, many adults do not even realize they have low self-esteem. They may feel as though their thoughts about themselves are natural and warranted. But, this only leads to more issues.

Thankfully, however, raising awareness about self-esteem and how it affects us can help. If you are dealing with self-esteem issues, there is help for you. Since February is International Boost Self-Esteem Month, take some time to form healthier habits and thought patterns regarding yourself.

8 Ways to Boost Your Self-Esteem as an Adult

Maintaining a healthy level of confidence and self-worth is not exactly easy. It requires dedication and intentionality. But, if you want to become more confident in the amazing person you are, here are 8 ways to work on boosting your self-esteem!

1. Accept yourself. Embrace your quirks. Appreciate the flaws in your skin. Accept the way you speak or how your hair looks. You are you, and that is perfect! When you accept who you are, you can truly begin to gain the self-confidence you need to move forward.
2. Learn to accept compliments. It can be hard to accept and believe other people’s kind words about you. But, the next time your boss tells you that you did a great job, thank them! When a friend compliments your outfit, thank them!
3. Watch your language! When your thoughts immediately move towards the idea that “everyone” dislikes you or “no one” cares, think more critically about those thoughts. Perhaps one person mistreated you. Maybe a clique at work doesn’t invite you to lunch. But, that doesn’t mean no one at all appreciates your company! That brings us to the next point.
4. Spend time with people who appreciate and care about you. You may need to cut ties with family members or acquaintances who do not respect you or show you kindness. That will help you to make space in your life for the people who appreciate you for who you are!
5. Write letters to yourself. Take some time every day to write down 3 positive things about yourself. You can write about things you like about yourself. Or, you can scribble down 3 reasons why you’re proud of yourself.
6. Find something you enjoy doing and do it! Even if you’re not the greatest tennis player, grab the racket and head to the courts if you like to play. Take up singing lessons or join a chess club. The more you do things you enjoy, the more joy you’ll find in your everyday life!
7. Assert yourself more. Being assertive is not a bad thing. It’s about respecting others and gaining the same respect from them. Don’t be afraid to respectfully voice your opinion when necessary.
8. Attend therapy. Mental health counseling can shift your focus and help you develop healthy thought processes.

Let Orlando Treatment Solutions Help Improve Your Mental Health

Maintaining a healthy mental status is incredibly necessary. But, it’s not always easy to know what the best steps are when it comes to mental health. This is why we’re here!

Located in Oviedo, Florida, Orlando Treatment Solutions works diligently to support those in need. We understand the importance of mental health and we are dedicated to providing the necessary resources. Contact us today to learn more about our services.