Self-esteemrefers to an individual’s overall subjective feelings of personal value and self-worth.
It can have an effect on many areas of life, including substance use and recovery.
Write Your Own Affirmation
Anaffirmationis a simple, positive statement you say to yourself.
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Repeating these affirmations can help transform negative self-talk into a more optimistic view of the self.
It is important to remember, however, that these affirmations take time.
Give yourself a month of saying it out loud to yourself every day.
One study found that in individuals with low self-esteem, self-affirmations helped improve their attitudes toward health risk advice.
This might be particularly helpful for people who are working to recover from a substance or alcohol use disorder.
Affirmations may help people feel more receptive and motivated to participate in treatment and recovery.
Addiction can really affect your judgment and impulse control, so you say and do things you later regret.
In other words, never let past wrongs define your present.
Research also supports the importance of self-forgiveness.
Studies suggest that people who forgive themselves for past mistakes experience less anxiety and depression.
Why is it so hard for people with low self-esteem to accept a compliment?
People with low self-esteem often miss opportunities to build their self-esteem simply by acknowledging the kind words of others.
One study found that prosocial behavior was actually a predictor for self-esteem, especially in women.
Women who reported engaging in more prosocial actions also had higher levels of self-reported self-esteem.
One way of increasing the appreciation that others express toward you is to do kind things for them.
You may also consider volunteering to help others in recovery.
Start Making Changes
Self-determination can also play a role in improving self-esteem.
Self-determination is also an important part of recovery from substance and alcohol use.
When slips do happen, however, it can have a detrimental impact on self-determination and self-esteem.
It is important to remember that change takes time.
Making self-determined steps in the right directioneven small onescan play a role in boosting your self-esteem.
With each small change, inwardly celebrate your success in moving toward your goal.
Self-help strategies can be a good way to start improving your self-esteem.
If you continue to struggle with low-self esteem, talk to your doctor or mental health professional.
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The role of construal level and self-esteem in accepting positive feedback from close others.Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.
