What’s the one thing you have in common with every single person in the world? We’re all humans with a body. And with a body comes a brain, and with a brain comes thoughts.
Thoughts about all kinds of things: lunch choices, if that person in your chemistry lab is cute, and thoughts about your body — both good and bad. Self esteem – how we perceive and value ourselves– plays a role in everyone’s life. Low self esteem primarily starts when we start really perceiving ourselves. Think back to middle school for a second. Middle school is when people really start perceiving themselves and others.
It’s worth mentioning that low self esteem isn’t just something girls experience. While girls tend to have more issues with self esteem, boys experience it too. Studies have shown that on average, 50% of adolescent girls and 31% of adolescent boys are unhappy with their body image. In today’s society, especially with the prevalence of social media, girls are expected to be skinny, and boys are expected to be strong and muscular.
Negative body image can lead to many negative effects, including substance use, the development of an eating disorder and even suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Poor self esteem isn’t just an issue for hormonal teenagers in middle and high schools, college kids experience it too. Low self esteem can negatively impact a student’s academic performance, and poor academic performance can make low self esteem go even lower.
So, how do we fix it? It starts with the younger generations. If you’ve got a younger sibling, cousin, or you work with kids, make sure you’re talking positively about yourself and others around them. For many individuals, low self esteem starts in childhood, so if you can help someone younger boost their self esteem, do it. If you, or a friend, are struggling with low self esteem, it’s important to step back from your thoughts, and address them for what they are: thoughts. Allowing yourself to feel your feelings and thoughts can help you realize that you’re more than a negative thought inside your head.
If you have low self esteem due to academics, talk to your advisor, your professors or a friend. Talking through your thoughts can help people realize where you’re struggling, and how they can help you. Taking time in your day, even if it’s just five minutes, to be grateful and do something you love can really help. Try listening to a podcast, or watch an episode of your favorite childhood TV show. Spend time doing things and being with people who make you happy, not stressed. Remind yourself that thoughts are just thoughts, and that there’s usually a reason things are going the way they are right now, even if it sucks in the moment.
We all get 24 hours in a day. Don’t waste them all worrying over something that won’t matter in a month, year or even a decade.
