Self-Esteem: Think Enough Of Yourself To Live Longer

by Donna Wright :

Self-esteem may play a significant role in promoting longevity as higher self-esteem is associated with better physical and mental health. 

What is Self-Esteem? 

Self-esteem refers to a person’s overall sense of personal value or worth, a perception of one’s own abilities and potential, often influenced by one’s personality, life experiences, genetics, and social circumstances. Your self-esteem plays an important role in different areas of your life, including the confidence to attempt difficult or unfamiliar things. Building self-esteem involves the ability to acknowledge your strengths, set realistic goals, and challenge negative self-talk to promote a positive self-image.  

Most importantly, enhancing self-esteem leads to improved mental wellbeing, physical health, resilience, and stronger relationships by practicing self-acceptance and personal growth. 

Why is Self-Esteem Important? 

Healthy self-esteem is going to help make you, well, more healthy. It especially benefits mental health. But self-esteem can also affect physical health which in turn can impact longevity. The healthier you live, both mentally and physically, the more it helps your lifespan. On the contrary, low self-esteem can affect nearly every aspect of your life including relationships, decision-making, career success, motivation, and how one adjusts to the daily upsets in life.  

Self-esteem, a person’s perception of themselves, is critical to nurturing a healthy and fulfilling life. People who work to improve their longevity should see self-esteem as a tool to living a longer life.  

What Are Signs of Strong Self-Esteem? 

A person with strong self-esteem is typically a confident person, one that easily makes decisions without sounding arrogant. People with high self-esteem can accept feedback and do not require constant approval. Someone with strong self-esteem is commanding yet not pushy, and can easily ask for help, and provide their opinions when appropraite. 

When a person feels good about who they are, they deal with less anxiety and depression. And they suffer less from fear of failure and worrying whether they’re good enough. 

How is the Impact of Self-Esteem and Longevity Explained? 

While there are studies about the role that self-esteem plays on aging and longevity, the results seem to be described as more of a domino effect based on other factors that affect longevity. For example, research shows that people with high self-esteem generally have more career success, and better social relationships, along with improved mental and physical health. For example, high self-esteem is linked to lower levels of stress and anxiety, contributing to better overall health.  

That same research associates low self-esteem to declining physical and mental health, and fewer social connections. Lack of self-esteem tends to raise anxiety and depression. People who suffer from low self-esteem and think negatively about themselves and situations around them typically have a lack of dopamine (happy hormone) and too much cortisol (stress hormone).  

The Role of Physical Activity on Self Esteem and Longevity 

It’s no secret that physical activity improves self-esteem, and we know that physical activity also benefits longevity by promoting both physical and mental health. Physical activity can reduce stress levels, and reduced stress levels lower the risk of chronic diseases. Those facts lead to the correlation between increased physical activity, high self-esteem, and improved longevity.  

To dive a bit deeper, physical activity can help to lower your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, cancer, and stroke. Exercise helps to improve circulation, balance blood sugar, promote a healthier immune system, enhance energy levels, burn calories, tone muscles, and strengthen bones and joints, along with maintaining a healthy weight.  

If a person feels healthier and more active, their self-esteem tends to be higher. Physical activity is a great way to boost one’s confidence whether through improved body image or reducing the stress hormone cortisol. People with high self-esteem treat themselves better, often exercising regularly and following healthy life choices including a healthy eating plan. Self-esteem combined with strong resilience improves coping mechanisms, helping to reduce the risk of chronic diseases. 

Self-Esteem For Mental Health Benefits 

Mental health includes psychological, social, and emotional well-being. Higher self-esteem helps a person cope with stress and other life challenges through an abundance of emotional resilience.  

Regular exercise can help improve self-esteem. And the physical benefits of this exercise are many … like reducing cortisol levels, and improving endorphin and dopamine levels (thereby helping to lessen risks of depression and anxiety). Endorphins are natural chemicals that promote a sense of well-being and reduce the perception of pain.  

Cognitive functions are affected by self-esteem as well. Restructuring negative thought patterns can help improve self-esteem along with cognitive health. And cognitive health affects a person’s memory, ability to learn, problem solving. A person with high self-esteem is able to take on more risks with less fear of failure, perseveres through challenges, and possesses a growth mindset to achieve goals. 

Self-Esteem Promotes Social Connections That Can Benefit Longevity 

People with high self-esteem typically are more social than those that lack self-esteem. But did you know that lack of social connections may affect your health and longevity? Fact is, health risks associated with loneliness and isolation include depression, anxiety, increased risk of suicide, obesity, addictions, and chronic physical health issues.   

High self-esteem can lead to improved social connections, providing emotional support that is crucial for mental well-being and longevity. Why? Because people with strong relationships are known to achieve a longer lifespan through social connections and relationships that continually boost a person’s self-worth. Having a support team that encourages you to believe in yourself is a valuable benefit that continues as one ages. Solid connections with family, friends, or work colleagues, force you to foster trust, communication, emotional bonding, and conflict-resolution. 

What Causes Low Self-Esteem? 

Low self-esteem can begin as far back as childhood. And as a person ages, low self-esteem could continue throughout their life, often accompanied with symptoms of depression, anxiety, personality disorders, and addiction. People with low self-esteem typically talk negatively about their perceived faults, have a fear of rejection, abandonment, or criticism of any kind. They are afraid of change or having to adapt to any challenges or setbacks. A person with low self-esteem seeks approval and acceptance of others. 

Tips for Improving Self-Esteem 

Self-esteem plays a role in how you age and your overall longevity, so it pays to improve it. And there are ways to work on your self-esteem no matter your age, like … 

:: Make a continuous list of accomplishments throughout your life 

:: Stop trying to achieve perfectionism 

:: Don’t be a people pleaser 

:: Practice self-compassion 

:: Don’t talk negatively about oneself 

:: Remain objective when something doesn’t go your way 

:: Turn negative thoughts into positive statements 

:: Help others (volunteering) to encourage self-satisfaction 

:: Look at setbacks as simple adjustments 

:: Take some risks to overcome a fear of failure mentality 

:: Say positive affirmations daily 

:: Practice realistic self-perceptions 

:: Surround yourself with optimistic people 

:: Create social connections, avoid isolation  

It’s a Simple Concept: Love Yourself, Improve Longevity 

Self-esteem may change throughout your life, but you can stop the negative self-talk now and learn to love yourself. Your quality of life depends on it. The concept should be simple to grasp. Having high self-esteem can improve your overall physical and mental health, and quality of life, thereby helping you live longer and healthier. Low self-esteem can negatively affect nearly every aspect of life including overall wellness, career, relationships, and social connections. 

Stop concentrating on your imperfections, but instead focus on adding meaning to your life through improved self-talk and realistic goals. Keep your self-esteem high and look forward to a longer, healthier, and fulfilling life.