What Is Healthy Self-Esteem And Can It Be Improved?
How do you feel about yourself?
Healthy self-esteem refers to having a positive and realistic evaluation of ourselves. It is important to note that our self-esteem must be based in reality. It comes from developing a healthy balance of self-acceptance and self-criticism / self-awareness.
None of us are perfect beings and it is, of course, not helpful to see ourselves as such.
Healthy self-esteem is not believing that we are the best, perfect, infallible, or beyond criticism. Rather, it involves having confidence and respect for ourselves, as well as being able to identify and accept both our strengths and weaknesses.
When we have healthy self-esteem we understand that failures and disappointments are normal and unavoidable parts of life, and that we must be able to cope with setbacks in a constructive manner.
Having healthy self-esteem means that we feel worthy of love and respect, and we can treat ourselves and others with kindness and compassion.
For help with developing healthy self-esteem we welcome you to book an appointment with our Halifax psychologists, or complete the form at the bottom of this page.
We offer both in-person and virtual therapy.
We custom match every client with a therapist who best suited for your needs and goals in counselling.
Healthy self-esteem refers to having a positive and realistic evaluation of ourselves. It is important to note that our self-esteem must be based in reality. It comes from developing a healthy balance of self-acceptance and self-criticism / self-awareness.
None of us are perfect beings and it is, of course, not helpful to see ourselves as such.
Healthy self-esteem is not believing that we are the best, perfect, infallible, or beyond criticism. Rather, it involves having confidence and respect for ourselves, as well as being able to identify and accept both our strengths and weaknesses.
When we have healthy self-esteem we understand that failures and disappointments are normal and unavoidable parts of life, and that we must be able to cope with setbacks in a constructive manner.
Having healthy self-esteem means that we feel worthy of love and respect, and we can treat ourselves and others with kindness and compassion.
For help with developing healthy self-esteem we welcome you to book an appointment with our Halifax psychologists, or complete the form at the bottom of this page.
We offer both in-person and virtual therapy.
We custom match every client with a therapist who best suited for your needs and goals in counselling.
What Is Unhealthy Self-Esteem?
Unhealthy self-esteem refers to a person’s evaluation of themselves that is very often negative and unrealistic.
This can manifest in a variety of ways, such as extreme self-criticism, perfectionism, and low self-confidence.
If you have poor self-esteem, you may frequently compare yourself to others who you perceive to be better than you in some way. Common unhealthy comparisons may include physical attractiveness, wealth, success, intelligence, and personality traits.
These comparisons can lead to feelings of low self-worth and a distorted view of your abilities and accomplishments. As a result, you may also struggle with feelings of shame and guilt and have difficulty accepting positive feedback or praise - even when this positive feedback is very much deserved.
For a quick measure of your self-esteem, take this 3 minute test.
This can manifest in a variety of ways, such as extreme self-criticism, perfectionism, and low self-confidence.
If you have poor self-esteem, you may frequently compare yourself to others who you perceive to be better than you in some way. Common unhealthy comparisons may include physical attractiveness, wealth, success, intelligence, and personality traits.
These comparisons can lead to feelings of low self-worth and a distorted view of your abilities and accomplishments. As a result, you may also struggle with feelings of shame and guilt and have difficulty accepting positive feedback or praise - even when this positive feedback is very much deserved.
For a quick measure of your self-esteem, take this 3 minute test.
Self-Esteem Vs. Self-Confidence
Although they are closely related, self-esteem and self-confidence are not the same thing.
Self-esteem refers to your overall evaluation of your worth or value as a person. It is a global evaluation of who you are and is affected by a factors, such as your personal achievements, social relationships, and life experiences. Self-esteem largely refers to how you see yourself as a whole and is more of a global evaluation.
Self-confidence, on the other hand, refers to your belief in your abilities and capabilities. It is specific to particular tasks or areas of expertise, and it is closely tied to your experience and track record in a particular area. Self-confidence mostly refers to what you believe about your abilities and is more of a specific evaluation in a few areas of your life..
Self-esteem refers to your overall evaluation of your worth or value as a person. It is a global evaluation of who you are and is affected by a factors, such as your personal achievements, social relationships, and life experiences. Self-esteem largely refers to how you see yourself as a whole and is more of a global evaluation.
Self-confidence, on the other hand, refers to your belief in your abilities and capabilities. It is specific to particular tasks or areas of expertise, and it is closely tied to your experience and track record in a particular area. Self-confidence mostly refers to what you believe about your abilities and is more of a specific evaluation in a few areas of your life..
Who Is Most Likely To Have Poor Self-Esteem?
|
|
While anyone can experience poor self-esteem, some people are more likely to struggle with this issue than others.
For example, those who have experienced abuse or neglect in childhood or who have been relentlessly criticized or rejected by peers may be at higher risk. Traumatic events, serious illness, and negative self-perceptions, such as having a physical disability or a disfigurement, may also lead to low self-esteem. Also, people with a family history of mental health problems, particularly depression, may be more likely to develop poor self-esteem. |
How Can Family Environment Cause Low Self-Esteem?
In our work as psychologists, we often see how our clients'' family environments play a significant role in shaping their self-esteem, for better or for worse.
For example, parents who are overly critical or unsupportive, who often argue or fight, or who set unrealistic expectations, can contribute to unhealthy self-esteem in their children (which is often carried into adulthood).
Similarly, families that lack open communication or are overly reliant on competition can create an environment that is not supportive of healthy self-esteem.
For example, parents who are overly critical or unsupportive, who often argue or fight, or who set unrealistic expectations, can contribute to unhealthy self-esteem in their children (which is often carried into adulthood).
Similarly, families that lack open communication or are overly reliant on competition can create an environment that is not supportive of healthy self-esteem.
How Do Early Peer Relationships Impact Self-Esteem?
|
|
Anyone who recalls their junior high or high years knows just how much our peer relationships in childhood and adolescence can shape our self-esteem.
Needless to say, negative experiences such as bullying, exclusion, or teasing can have a serious impact on a child's self-esteem and lead to feelings of insecurity and low confidence. On the other hand, positive experiences with supportive and understanding peers can help to boost self-esteem and promote a sense of belonging and acceptance. Counselling for self-esteem can explore the unhealthy and damaging messages you may have received from peers as a child or adolescent, and will also help you develop more realistic, accurate, and healthy appraisals for your life as an adult. |
What Are The Consequences Of Poor Self-Esteem?
Low self-esteem can have a range of negative consequences in in your life.
For example, you may struggle with feelings of low confidence in your abilities and self-doubt, which can lead to difficulty making decisions, avoiding new challenges, and taking risks.
You may also be more likely to put yourself down and engage in negative self-talk.
Low self-esteem can also affect social relationships and increase the risk of developing mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
Additionally, it can affect academic and professional performance, impacting your overall success and life satisfaction. This, of course, can can further deteriorations in self-esteem, creating a self-fulfilling cycle.
For example, you may struggle with feelings of low confidence in your abilities and self-doubt, which can lead to difficulty making decisions, avoiding new challenges, and taking risks.
You may also be more likely to put yourself down and engage in negative self-talk.
Low self-esteem can also affect social relationships and increase the risk of developing mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
Additionally, it can affect academic and professional performance, impacting your overall success and life satisfaction. This, of course, can can further deteriorations in self-esteem, creating a self-fulfilling cycle.
How Can Our Psychologists Help With Self-Esteem?
Although the impact of low self-esteem on the quality of your life is very real, thankfully counselling can help you improve self-esteem and self-confidence.
Counselling provides a safe and supportive environment for you to talk openly about you feelings and beliefs about yourself. It can help you identify negative self-beliefs and replace them with healthier and more realistic ones.
Our Psychologists can provide guidance, strategies, tips, and tools to help you cope with negative thoughts and emotions and reduce the impact of negative experiences...past, present, and future.
Counselling provides a safe and supportive environment for you to talk openly about you feelings and beliefs about yourself. It can help you identify negative self-beliefs and replace them with healthier and more realistic ones.
Our Psychologists can provide guidance, strategies, tips, and tools to help you cope with negative thoughts and emotions and reduce the impact of negative experiences...past, present, and future.
Let's Get Started.
We are conveniently located in Halifax, Nova Scotia and have many clients from the areas of Bedford, Sackville, Clayton Park, and Dartmouth.
We provide in-person and online therapy to all of Nova Scotia and also offer virtual counselling to clients in New Brunswick.
Please complete our short request form below and we will be in touch asap with appointment options.
Confidential Contact - Counselling / Therapy
Green Leaf Psychological - Halifax, Nova Scotia
IMPORTANT
After you submit the form, we will definitely get back to you. However, email is often filtered into junk mail folders by mistake.
To prevent this from happening, please add [email protected] to your list of safe contacts...or make sure to check your spam folder if you don't see a reply in your inbox within 24 hours.
Thanks!
After you submit the form, we will definitely get back to you. However, email is often filtered into junk mail folders by mistake.
To prevent this from happening, please add [email protected] to your list of safe contacts...or make sure to check your spam folder if you don't see a reply in your inbox within 24 hours.
Thanks!
Green Leaf Psychological Services, Inc.