By: Kelli Ewing, M.Ed., CIT, NCC, CCMHC, LPC
Oceans Behavioral Hospital of Baton Rouge
AS AN ADULT, HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN THE IMPORTANCE OF NURTURING YOUR SELF-ESTEEM?
We make a conscious effort to bolster the self-esteem of the children and teens in our lives. We tell them how proud we are of them, we throw ‘parades of praise’ each and every time they achieve a new task and we are quick to remind them of the imperfect nature of human beings and that making mistakes does not define them as individuals. Instinctually, there is something inside of us that feels called to duty when helping to form a child’s self-esteem. It’s as if we know- on some level- the power that our words carry in influencing a child in one way or another.
Think about it for a second. How often do we make a wrong turn in traffic or spill a pitcher of water on the ground – only to turn around and mouth the words ‘stupid’ or ‘idiot’ to ourselves? For a lot of us, thoughts like this in response to an accident have become second nature, and undoubtedly, ingrained into what we have come to really think about ourselves. Now apply this thought to a child. The next time you bring a toddler to a restaurant and they spill their “sippy cup” all over their shirt, will you mouth the word ‘stupid’ or ‘idiot’ in response to this? Of course not!!
Somewhere along the way, either due to life’s struggles or possibly the company we keep, many of us forget the importance of nurturing our adult self-esteem. A compliment from a boss at work or obtaining the trust of a good friend no longer registers in the adult’s brain as a ‘cause for celebration.’ For several adults, poor self-esteem often goes hand-in-hand with mood and anxiety disorders, and is quite often intertwined with people who experience thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
Before you go to bed tonight, take the time to think about the last 3 three things you achieved that merited praise. Did you nurture that ever-present child within? Or not give it a second thought? Reassess how good you are to yourself.
Healthy Works Quick Tip:
GIVE YOURSELF A BOOST!
Exercise can help enhance your self-esteem and mental outlook while reducing stress. Physical activity, like walking outdoors, helps release nervous energy, that when held in, could fester within your psyche. Endorphins, chemicals released by the pituitary gland during vigorous exercise, are excellent mood boosters. Exercise will help improve your body image too, making you feel better from the inside out.