How important is SELF-ESTEEM to our well-being?

by Zahara Matovu
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What is self-esteem?
Self-esteem refers to our feelings of high and low self-worth.

Our self-esteem grows from venturesome experiences and achievements, and therefore changes as we age.
Self-esteem often increases dramatically from adolescence to middle adulthood, continuing to climb until peaking between ages 50 and 60.

High self-esteem:

High self-esteem means having a balanced and stable sense of personal value. People with high self-esteem see both their strengths and flaws realistically.

They feel comfortable around others without needing to prove that they're better.
They accept mistakes as normal instead of proof that they're a failure.
They stand up for themselves and easily respect others' boundaries.

Low self-esteem:

Low self-esteem involves deep feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.

People with low self-esteem;
Assume everyone else is better or more capable than them.
They avoid new challenges or social settings because they expect to fail.
They struggle to accept praise and compliments and instead focus only on their weaknesses.
They put everyone else's needs before they're own and find it hard to say NO.

Excessive self-esteem.
Having self-esteem that is too high or excessive can lead to unexpected downsides in daily life.

Disadvantages of excessive self-esteem include;
- Overconfidence and risky decisions.
- Resistance to improvement in most life aspects.
- Strained relationships.
- Arrogance and alienation.
- Impulsive or aggressive behaviour.

Benefits of a healthy self-esteem.

Healthy self-esteem is important to our mental health and resilience. When you have a healthy sense of self worth, you have better emotional regulation which lowers the risk of anxiety, stress and depresssion.
When things go wrong, you see mistakes as temporary hurdles and a learnig opportunity rather than proof that you are a failure.

Healthy self-esteem leads to healthier connections, clearer boundaries and stronger communication skills.
Valuing yourself makes you more likely to seek out partners and friends who treat you with respect.
You feel comfortable stating your needs and walking away from manipulative or toxic behaviour.
You can also express your core values and beliefs clearly without needing to argue or tear others down.

Healthy self-esteem also leads to more work satisfaction and success.
Believing in your abilities gives you the drive to set big goals and persist when challenges appear.
You can accept constructive criticism as a tool for growth rather than a threat to your worth.
Healthy self-esteem motivates higher productivity and success in school and the workplace.

Lastly, healthy self-esteem is good for your physical health too.
People who respect themselves tend to take care of their bodies through regular exercise, nutritious food, and adequate rest.
You are more likely to seek medical attention when something feels wrong instead of neglecting your health.

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