Why It's Important To Build Self Esteem
The real reason why it's so important to build self esteem centers on mental health. It is impossible to have true happiness without self confidence or a positive self-image. In Psychologist Abraham Maslow's prominent paper "Hierarchy of Needs," he states that the base of the human needs pyramid begins with the physiological needs of shelter, food and clothes. Next comes security and social needs, then high esteem and self-actualization forms the point of the pyramid. Esteem and the ability to feel positive about your life is pretty close to the top of your needs as a human being, he concludes.
Improving and building esteem leads to so many thoughts, feelings and actions that are beneficial to your life. When you have high esteem, you feel worthy of happiness, love and respect. You will find it easier to make and achieve goals, state your desires and values, and obtain lasting happiness when you are self confident. When you communicate with others, you will be able to state your thoughts in an intelligent manner, without breaking down into a power struggle or falling silent out for fear of rejection. When mistakes and unforeseen circumstances come your way, you will stand tall in the face of adversity and seek ways to prevent future missteps. You will be a kinder person who does not cut others down, berate, criticize or act out of jealousy. You will have a sense of control when problem-solving, you will assume responsibility for your actions and you will find that the expression of your person gives you a reason to live. You will see your strengths, gravitate toward healthy relationships and enjoy excellent mental health. The importance of self esteem is plain to see: it is the key to all happiness.
Esteemed Canadian Psychotherapist Nathaniel Branden believes that it's important to build self esteem because it builds the foundation for how we experience life and how we treat others. He writes: "Positive self esteem is important because when people experience it, they feel and look good, are effective and productive, and they respond to others and themselves in healthy, positive and growing ways. They know that they are lovable and capable, and care about themselves and others. They do not have to build themselves up by tearing others down or by patronizing less competent people." In essence, we cannot love others, respect others or treat others fairly if we do not first love ourselves, respect ourselves and believe that we are being treated fairly.
When you build self esteem, it's not only vital to your happiness, but also to the healthiness of your relationships. A study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that people with low self-esteem felt less close to their partners, felt devalued, lacked the support they needed and failed to recognize the truly positive feelings their partners tried to convey at times. On the other hand, those with affirmative self esteem found that they were closer to their romantic partners, shared their feelings easily, proceeded through the relationship with confidence and formed more intimate bonds. The good news is that people can improve confidence over time by working on eradicating deeply rooted beliefs linked to failure and rejection. With some encouragement, they can open up, accept themselves and learn to support others.
Related topics about Build Self Esteem
Low Self Esteem Effects and Outcomes
One of the most serious low self esteem effects is that it makes it impossible for an individual to live a healthy, happy and productive life. Psychologists have spent decades studying the role that poor esteem plays in a number of social ills. In some cases, people with low self-esteem resort to violence to assert their dominance, while other times people with low esteem become the victims of such violence.
Advice For Building Teen Self Esteem
Dr. Robert Cloninger, a researcher at Washington University in St. Louis, says the problem with many parents today is that they tend to over-saturate their children with praise and compliments unconditionally, which does little for building self esteem.
Some Worthwhile Self Esteem Self Help Books
Feeling Good by Dr. David Burns M.D.