Feeling insecure about yourself could be one of the worst ways to lower the quality of your life. Being aware that it is not a physical handicap, not the lack of skills, tools, capital, or strength, but that our own confidence is giving up on our goals – can be so detrimental that it leads to a spiral of having even lower self-esteem.

To the untrained eye, it might be just brushed off as shyness, but psychologists have studied this phenomenon for a long time and today we have an array of ways and proven methods we can use to boost our self-esteem. So don’t shy away but rather consider these tips that could dramatically improve your overall confidence.

What Causes Low Self-Esteem?

Lowered self-esteem can come from a variety of reasons:

• Unsupportive authority figures while growing up
• Having a physical disability
• Having a habit of comparing yourself to more successful people, etc

Sometimes there is more than one cause of our low general confidence but it is most frequently one of those listed above. The same mechanics are sometimes known as low self-esteem caused by hypnosis and are treated as such. This psychological problem can cause further complications with our mind, such as depression or anxiety as it progresses.

Another major cause of lowered self-esteem, especially among younger people, is a negative body image. This is, of course, fueled by the hardly-obtainable ideal body popular media is forcing upon us, but as the media is a constant and powerful influence over young people it is hard not to fall under its spell. It is estimated that almost 70% of children have a lowered self-esteem due to this during their teenage years.

Also, having unrealistic goals is a problem that can continue to put us down even when we mature otherwise. Having set a bar too high is often described as a problem of “dreamers” but in reality, all of us have at one point tried something there was no way we could achieve. Most of us shrugged our shoulders and moved on but those who continue to try and fail every time tend to develop hurt confidence.

Traditional Methods for Gaining Confidence

This problem has been around for far longer than we can remember and in time several approaches have been developed that are supposed to bring about a better attitude towards ourselves.

Joining a Sports Club

Practicing sports is a proven way to make us feel happier. Having an activity that is done solely for our own well being and not for the sake of competition is one of the methods to help gain more confidence in the long run as both our body image improves and as we do an activity that releases endorphins.

On top of that – getting into a group sport, such as rowing, rugby, basketball, etc, can have the added benefit of putting you into a net of mutually supporting peers, as only with a collective effort can you achieve better results as a team.

Practicing Self-Compassion

Many philosophies and religions have put this suggestion forward and in a way enforced it through their dogma. Having the habit of explaining to yourself how you are still worthy and loveable even though you might not be succeeding at a certain task at that moment is a tried and proven way of having a better and more secure image of ourselves.

Make sure you are not being too harsh on yourself even if others are.

New Approaches to Self-Esteem Boosts

Counseling

With the advent of modern science and psychology, today we can confidently deal with many mental problems that we hardly treated at all earlier.

If someone suffers from low self-esteem they should consider going at least a few times to see a therapist as the professional can give valuable feedback on what is causing the problem and how to solve the specific case at hand.

Social Media and Self-Esteem

As social media platforms are one of the biggest influences on young people today it is no wonder parents are taking special care to monitor and secure their children’s’ well-being online.

An approach that is gaining more and more popularity is taking a social holiday, that is having the whole family disconnect from social media at least for a weekend and enjoy socializing in real life without a glorified news feed in front of them.

Having the wits and courage to admit you have a problem with low self-esteem, instead of succumbing to it, is the first step towards a happier life. Make sure you or your loved ones aren’t getting desperate for the sole reason you are not supporting one another, as low self-esteem can be a slippery slope towards worse behavior.

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