February is ‘Boost Your Self Esteem’ month.
This is an important cause especially in the current circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The mental health charity MIND defines self esteem as:
Self-esteem is how we value and perceive ourselves. It’s based on our opinions and beliefs about ourselves, which can sometimes feel really difficult to change.
Your self-esteem can affect whether you:
like and value yourself as a person
are able to make decisions and assert yourself
recognise your strengths and positives
feel able to try new or difficult things
show kindness towards yourself
move past mistakes without blaming yourself unfairly
take the time you need for yourself
believe you matter and are good enough
believe you deserve happiness.
Low self-esteem can be caused by a variety of different factors. For example bullying, abuse, stress at work, etc.
MIND shares the following tips on how to improve self-esteem –
Be kind to yourself
- Get to know yourself. Try to learn more about yourself – for example what makes
you happy and what you value in life. Some people say they find it helpful to write
in a journal. - Let yourself have feelings. It’s important to remember that you’re a human being
who can experience a wide range of emotions. - Consider what self-esteem means to you. You might realise you’re basing your
sense of self-worth on things that aren’t useful or helpful for you. - Try to challenge unkind thoughts about yourself. You might automatically put
yourself down. If you find yourself doing this, it can help to ask: “Would I talk to, or think about, a friend in this way?” - Avoid comparing yourself to others. Try to remember that what other people
choose to share about their lives isn’t the full picture and comparing ourselves isn’t realistic. - Say positive things to yourself. It might feel really strange at first, but you’ll feel more comfortable the more you do it.
To learn more about self-esteem, it’s impact on daily life and organisations to contact to ask for help please see the following –
About self-esteem | Mind, the mental health charity – help for mental health problems
Tips to improve your self-esteem | Mind, the mental health charity – help for mental health problems
Mind’s services – all our helplines provide information and support by phone and email. Our Blue Light Infoline is just for emergency service staff, volunteers and their
families.
Mind’s Infoline – 0300 123 3393, info@mind
Mind’s Legal Line – 0300 466 6463, legal@mind
Blue Light Infoline – 0300 303 5999, bluelightinfo@mind
Local Minds – there are over 140 local Minds across England and Wales which
provide services such as talking treatments, peer support, and advocacy. Find
your local Mind here, and contact them directly to see how they can help.
Side-by-Side – Side by Side: our online community | Mind, the mental health charity – help for mental health problems is a supportive online community for anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
Do-it Trust – do-it.org – National database of local volunteering opportunities around the UK.
Mind Tools – mindtools.com – Website providing information including tips for increasing your assertiveness.
One You – nhs.uk/oneyou – Tips and resources to help improve your health and wellbeing.
Reading Well – reading-well.org.uk – Books to help you understand and manage your mental health and wellbeing.
The Richmond Fellowship – richmondfellowship.org.uk – Mental health charity that champions recovery and social inclusion, including a number of regional services.
Samaritans – 116 123 (24 hours a day) – jo@samaritans.org – samaritans.org
Time to Change – England: time-to-change.org.uk – Wales: timetochangewales.org.uk