Each person in a certain period of his life begins to evaluate himself. Self-esteem can change depending on life circumstances either in a positive direction or in a negative one. Speaking of self-esteem, everyone understands what is meant, but explaining this with words is not always possible. It has quite a few sides and shades: self-image, attitude to oneself, feelings and so on. Psychologists have always been interested in whether self-esteem affects human behavior, so they thoroughly understood this issue.
Why do you need to believe in yourself?
The attitude of people towards a person to a large extent depends on how he perceives himself. If he is confident in his abilities and has respect for himself, others will relate to him in the same way. When a person does not love himself, it is stupid and unreasonable to wait for love from strangers.
As life shows, a person with low self-esteem tries to communicate with the same people. This gives him the illusion of self-affirmation, but in fact, internal insecurity and dissatisfaction only increase.
Psychologists are sure that a person with a stable and positive self-esteem can achieve a lot in life and achieve harmony.
Why is low self-esteem dangerous?
The answer to the question: "Does self-esteem affect human behavior?" - definitely positive. Meanwhile, how a person relates to himself, and the quality of his life is a direct connection. People who treat themselves without proper respect and consider themselves insignificant are convinced that their life is also not worthy of making it better. Sometimes the situation changes if a person begins to make efforts and change the usual way. The psyche is designed in such a way that the more a person does, the more he appreciates it.
What gives inner self-confidence?
A person who is confident in himself has his own position and is able to defend it. He relies only on himself, although he is not afraid to entrust a specific business to others. A self-confident person is not afraid of change and always tries to improve his life. Unlike people dissatisfied with themselves, he takes responsibility for all his words and actions.
People with positive self-esteem, as a rule, clearly understand what they want. Goals and plans are clearly delineated, and a person confidently goes to their implementation. Insecure people rarely can specifically describe what they would like to change, and their goals are often incredibly overstated. They fail to achieve them, and self-esteem falls even lower.
Naturally, high self-esteem will not save you from life difficulties and hardships, but it will be much easier to overcome them. A self-confident person finds new methods for solving them and perceives complexity as a routine. People with low self-esteem prefer to hide from sorrows. For them, any experience of failure is very painful and permanently unsettle them. Therefore, they pretend that they are doing well and avoid making a decision.
Harmony and Mental Health
Studying how self-esteem affects health, it is necessary to understand that in order for a person to achieve psychological comfort, he must trust himself. To form this feeling will not work if self-esteem is very low and there is no self-esteem. Then the person will behave inconsistently and break those promises that he made to himself.
People with low self-esteem often go to extremes: they either completely ignore their own experiences and succumb to the influence of others, or surrender to their emotions completely, not paying attention to the signals of the mind.
How does self-esteem affect relationships with people?
The influence of self-esteem on human behavior in society should not be underestimated. Self-attitude is also displayed in relationships with others. A person who values himself and respects does not connect his actions and deeds with the opinions of other people. He calmly accepts the differences and is not afraid of disapproval. In conflict situations, he does not lose respect either to himself or to those whose opinions differ from his own.
Does self-esteem affect human behavior? Psychologists insist that independence and inner freedom provide an opportunity to independently navigate their behavior, make decisions and bear responsibility for them. Such a person does not try to create a fictitious image only in order to earn approval.
Self-doubt makes people seek approval from others. It seems to them that in this way they will be in demand, and they will be appreciated. But to develop self-esteem at the expense of others is impossible. This is achieved by internal work, which is not related to the actions and opinions of others.
Conviction Protection
Reflecting on whether self-esteem affects human behavior, it is worth noting that people with low self-esteem react very painfully to any criticism and disapproval. They are trying in every way to protect themselves from condemnation. Experts identify four main methods of removal.
- The charge. If this method is used, a person is constantly looking for the guilty and, naturally, finds. He finds fault with trifles and is always dissatisfied with everything.
- Fawning. In this case, a person unsure of himself is ready to do literally everything for others just to be satisfied with him. He never argues and always awaits directions.
- Payment. Choosing this path, people completely block their emotions and never show what they feel. They speak in a monotonous voice, and the words are often abstract in nature.
- Suspension A person never reacts to what others are doing. He talks on neutral topics and does not answer questions. With all his appearance, a man demonstrates that he does not hear anything, and in general he is not here.
All these types may have different variations, but the goal is the same: to protect yourself from attack and criticism.
What will help increase self-esteem?
The level of self-esteem affects all human actions, but it can be raised through internal work. Self-esteem should not depend on the opinions of others. The more a person takes care of himself and his life, the higher his self-esteem. Caring can have different directions.
You need to be sensitive to your own emotions, you can not completely ignore them. Then the internal discomfort increases, and it will be very difficult to achieve harmony. It is useful to ask yourself questions about what feelings are currently being experienced, what is the reaction to what is happening, and what is the assessment of one's own reaction. They will help to understand and understand what causes an internal sense of pride, and what, on the contrary, insecurity and self-condemnation.
Factors affecting the development of self-esteem are also in their own attitude to other people. When a person accepts others as they are and behaves honestly and sincerely towards them, he begins to respect himself more and be proud of himself.
What lowers self-esteem?
Psychologists highlight the main mistakes that reduce self-esteem and prevent a person from appreciating himself.
- Self-pity. A person who constantly recalls his failures feels unhappy and feels helpless, because he can no longer change anything. People who are unable to independently manage their own lives often feel sorry for themselves. They surrender to the grace of those around them and watch from the side how they themselves “float” with the flow. A person who is used to feeling self-pity can criticize himself, offend and hurt.
- Accusations and complaints. It is difficult for an unconfident person to take responsibility. It is much more convenient for him to blame someone else for his own failures. Belittling others, he rises and rehabilitates in his own eyes. Often a person blames others for his weaknesses and endows them with qualities that he does not like in himself.
- The habit of considering yourself a hopeless person. Aspects of self-esteem that affect people's behavior are to analyze their own flaws. A negative attitude towards oneself is also manifested externally: constrained movements, bowed head, dull eyes. A person with high self-esteem is physically relaxed and calm.
Manifestation of uncertainty
Two main criteria for their behavior will help identify people with low self-esteem.
- Reaction to criticism. Unconfident people are very sensitive to even constructive criticism, and all comments are taken at their own expense. Low self-esteem does not allow a person to adequately assess the situation, recognize and correct their own mistakes.
- The use of masks. People who wear different masks consider themselves the worst of all and try to play someone else's role. Thinking over the question: “Low self-esteem and its impact on human life”, they try to hide their true feelings and demonstrate self-confidence. This can be expressed by boasting, loud laughter or familiarity.