What are self-esteem and confidence?
In brain science, the term self-esteem is utilized to depict an individual’s general feeling or individual worth. In layman’s language, it means the amount of acknowledgement you give yourself.
On the other hand, confidence means the amount of clarity or how much sure you are about your ability or skill set.
What causes low self-esteem and confidence?
In general, there are many causes of low self-esteem and confidence. However, I have listed down 5 major and most common causes of low self-esteem and confidence.
- Poor grades:
Poor grades and low marks in school or college is the most common cause of low self-esteem, especially among teenagers and young kids. A 2002 study at the University of Michigan found that 80% of students surveyed based their self-worth on academic performance.
Students who scored low grades were facing low self-esteem and confidence issues.
- Bullying or harassment:
When it comes to low self-esteem, bullying and harassment can leave a deep and long-lasting impact on your self-esteem and confidence. Bullying and harassment can affect your mental health and wellbeing. Sometimes you may also feel anxiety and depression.
- Negative friends:
Negative friends can greatly influence your self-esteem and confidence. If you are a part of a social group that always brings you down- by disrespecting you, bullying you, and demoralizing you, then you may feel a lack of confidence and low self-esteem.
- Trauma:
The next common cause of low self-esteem and confidence is trauma.
If you have gone through a lot of physical, emotional or sexual trauma in your life then you may have a feeling of shame and guilt within you. You may feel that you are not worthy of love and care of the abuser.
- Body image:
Did you know?
According to the University of Washington, 53% of girls surveyed were unhappy with their body image. In fact, some of them also feel like killing themselves for the body which they have.
Hence, it is clear that body image is also one of the prime causes of low-esteem and confidence.
How to build self-confidence or increase self-esteem?
- Start caring for yourself:
Self-care and self-improvement increase rest and relaxation within you, which positively impacts your overall health and wellness. It also promotes a positive effect on your mind set and self-esteem.
- Be positive:
Whether you agree or not, positive thinking can take your self-esteem and confidence to the level of awesomeness. There are also other advantages associated with positive thinking like: Increased life span, lower rates of depression, lower levels of distress and more.
- Revoke negative thoughts from your mind:
Negative thoughts go hand-in-hand with the above-mentioned tip, but to keep things simple, I have separated it from the above item.
Negative thoughts or attitudes may create a feeling of chronic stress in you, which may upset and decrease your confidence and self-esteem. Hence, you must always try to remove negative thoughts by doing work-outs, breathing exercises, or listening to music.
- Go for counseling:
No doubt,
The above 3 tips will surely help in increasing confidence and self-esteem, but it will take time. Maybe around a year or a two. So, if you are looking for an alternate or quick way to increase your confidence then you must try counselling.
Now, let me share with you my personal story of confidence and self-esteem. I work in one of the most reputed IT companies in Bangalore. Since long time I was facing self-esteem and confidence issues.
Ever since I did my counselling, I feel more confident, energetic and fresh as well.
How counselling can help in building confidence and self-esteem?
Counselling can help you in finding the root cause of your confidence issue. When you share your thoughts and feelings with a skilled counsellor, he/she may quickly understand who you are, what is the cause of your low confidence and low self-esteem.
Not only this, but counsellors will also give tips on advice on how to increase confidence and increase self-esteem.
What is self-esteem or confidence counselling?
Self-esteem or confidence counselling is a technique that will help you in identifying the cause of your low confidence and self-esteem. It will also help you in increasing your confidence.
What are the advantages of taking self-esteem counselling?
Self-esteem counselling can help you make sense of who you are, and help you integrate new healthier ways of thinking about yourself.
Can I take online self-esteem and confidence counselling?
Yes, you can also take self-esteem counselling online while sitting at home.
