While we may primarily associate February with romance and candy, it is also International Boost Self-Esteem Month—an opportunity to reflect on the power of feeling good about ourselves, and the impact of self-esteem on mental and emotional well-being. So, let’s dive in to why self-esteem matters and how we can cultivate it in ourselves and in others.
The Importance of Healthy Self-Esteem
Encouraging self-esteem is not about building up the ego supporting a superficial arrogance. It is a balanced internal assessment of one’s worth and abilities while accepting one’s own limitations, not as faults, but as characteristics.
Developing healthy self-esteem can lead to:
- Improved Mental Health: Research demonstrates that people with healthy self-esteem experience lower rates of depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
- Greater Resilience: A positive sense of self enables individuals to recover more quickly from adversity.
- Stronger Relationships: Feeling secure in oneself can lead to deeper, more fulfilling, authentic connections with others.
- Increases Motivation and Achievement: Confidence in one’s capabilities encourages goal-setting, risk-taking, and perseverance in the face of challenges.
Strategies to Cultivate Your Own Self-Esteem
Building and maintaining self-esteem can require deliberate effort. The following evidence-based strategies can help strengthen your own sense of self-worth:
- Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with kindness, acknowledging imperfections while celebrating your strengths.
- Challenge Negative Self-Talk: Notice self-critical thoughts and replace them with affirmations that reinforce your value and potential.
- Align Your Actions with Your Core Values: Prioritizing what is truly important to you supports your sense of integrity, self-respect, and self-worth.
- Celebrate Your Achievements: Recognize milestones, even the small ones, to re-enforce your sense of belief in your own efforts.
- Adopt a Growth Mindset: View mistakes as opportunities for learning rather than as failures.
- Foster Positive Relationships: Surround yourself with supportive individuals who uplift and inspire you.
Supporting Self-Esteem in Others
Building a culture of self-esteem by encouraging and uplifting those around us can contribute to healthier, more empowered, communities. Consider these approaches to implement at your home, office, or in your classroom:
- Offer Encouragement and genuine compliments: When you notice someone do or say something well, let them know. Especially focus on compliments that emphasize effort and positive attributes.
- Listen Actively: Create a nonjudgmental space for others to express themselves openly.
- Acknowledge Accomplishments: Share in the joy of others’ achievements. This reinforces the self-worth of others, cultivates authentic connection, and, bonus, creates positive feelings for yourself as well.
- Give Constructive Feedback: Frame critiques in a way that highlight opportunities for growth without diminishing confidence.
- Model Healthy Self-Esteem: Let your self-confidence inspire others. Keep building your own self-esteem so that others can learn from it.
Building and fostering self-esteem is an ongoing process. Progress—not perfection—is the aim. If you discover that implementing strategies to build up your own self-esteem are challenging, seek guidance from a qualified professional. Prioritizing self-esteem will enhance our own well-being and also empower others to recognize and embrace their own inherent worth.
SOURCES: Hagen, Roger, et al. “Protective and Vulnerability Factors in Self-Esteem: The Role of Metacognitions, Brooding, and Resilience.” Frontiers in Psychology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 3 July 2020, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7351531/.
Tugade, Michele M, and Barbara L Fredrickson. “Resilient Individuals Use Positive Emotions to Bounce Back from Negative Emotional Experiences.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3132556/. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.
“Fostering a Healthy Relationship with Yourself.” Family Institute, www.family-institute.org/behavioral-health-resources/fostering-healthy-relationship-yourself. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.
Tugade, Michele M, and Barbara L Fredrickson. “Resilient Individuals Use Positive Emotions to Bounce Back from Negative Emotional Experiences.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3132556/. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.
“Fostering a Healthy Relationship with Yourself.” Family Institute, www.family-institute.org/behavioral-health-resources/fostering-healthy-relationship-yourself. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.
