Page 11 - HLIF Manual

RESPECT & SELF-ESTEEM

LEARNING OBJECTIVE
- We can have positive and healthy self- esteem.
- Using positive self- talk helps us feel better about ourselves.
- Respect for yourself and others is important in having a healthy life.

Self-esteem are the images and thoughts a person has about themselves. Positive, or high, self-esteem is
the ability to accept, appreciate and be honest about strengths and weaknesses we have. Having positive
self-esteem can help you have a healthy social life and less stress. Having negative, or low, self-esteem
can make you feel sad and affect your physical and emotional health. The effects of stress caused by
low self-esteem can be long-lasting. It can take considerable effort to change low self-esteem into high
self-esteem, but it’s certainly possible.

HIGHS AND LOWS OF SELF-ESTEEM
Self-esteem is present and evolving throughout life and can change through new experiences and meet-
ing new people. It is often formed during childhood and the growing-up years, through experiences and
feedback from parents, siblings, teachers, coaches and friends.

Low self-esteem is defined by having a negative self-image and a feeling of unworthiness, incompetence,
and incapability. It is often an unconscious pattern of behavior and thought.

Some negative experiences that contribute to low self-esteem are:
• Being ignored, ridiculed, teased or demeaned.
• Being harshly criticized, especially continuously.
• Feeling expectations of perfection. A parent, guardian, teacher, coach or peer may have
reacted as though a one-time mistake or failure was a failure of the whole self.
• Experiencing an emotional trauma, such as emotional, physical or sexual abuse.
• Experiencing bullying.
• Experiencing societal pressure to be different or “better.”
• Experiencing an unhealthy relationship.

Some positive experiences that contribute to high self-esteem are:
• Being listened to or heard.
• Being spoken to respectfully and compassionately.
• Getting appropriate attention and affection.
• Feeling like expectations are realistic and attainable.
• Feeling like accomplishments are celebrated and recognized, while feeling like failures
are acknowledged and accepted as normal.
• Experiencing healthy relationships and encouragement.

Past experiences continue to impact daily life, including self-esteem. Even if an experience feels as if it
happened a long time ago, all experiences impact the brain and can impact self-esteem both positively
and negatively.

IMPROVING SELF-ESTEEM
Improving self-esteem may sound like a daunting task, but with some work and perseverance, is
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