This article was written by guest blogger, Adam C. He's contributed a few blog articles on the Overcoming Schizophrenia blog. His articles offer great insight on managing wellbeing and also provides supporting links and information.
The following articles were also written by Adam:
8 Mental Health Tips for Living With Schizophrenia (January 18, 2023)
Get through These Major Life Changes While Living With Schizophrenia (October 26, 2022)
For Addicts Recovery Means Creating A New Life (November 21, 2019)
Image via Pexels
Although mental health disorders and low self-esteem are not exclusive to one another, there is a profound connection. As a person living with schizophrenia, you owe it to yourself to make a conscious effort to improve your self-esteem so that you can be in a better mental state to best manage your condition.
Today, the Overcoming Schizophrenia blog shares tips.
Understanding Self-Esteem
According to UK-based mental health charity Mind, self-esteem is essentially how we perceive ourselves. Your self-esteem has an impact on many areas of your life, including being able to recognize your strengths and make better decisions. When you feel better about yourself, you’ll make choices that help you live a healthier and happier life.
How to Improve Self-Esteem
While self-esteem is something we must all focus on individually, there are some universal steps we can take to help mold a better self-image.
Taking your medication.
As someone living with schizophrenia, you may have done things that hurt you or the ones you love. As this blog has discussed before, however, the negative actions you take may be controlled by taking your medication. Even if your loved ones understand that you have a mental health condition, your behaviors can still hurt, and the hurt you inflict upon others can make you feel bad about yourself.
Having a party.
If you’re feeling down, plan a little get together. Having people around you that love you is a great way to see yourself as others do. Consider scheduling a monthly get together, and go all out with the planning. Start with an invitation, which you can make with a ready-made template (you can try this). Use your own pictures, icons, colors, fonts, and more to set the mood for a themed gathering.
Doing things you love.
Do things that you enjoy and that you are good at. Even if you don’t know what you like, learning a new skill has benefits. The Upskilled blog explains that engaging in new activities helps improve brain health, boosts happiness levels, and can foster connections with others.
Focusing on your physical health.
There is an undeniable connection between our mental and physical health. Each can affect the other in profound ways. By prioritizing your physical health by eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep, you may be in a better mental place to keep your self-esteem on the pedestal it deserves. And keeping your self-esteem intact may even keep you from experiencing chronic diseases later in life.
Visiting a therapist.
Even if you’re already being treated for your schizophrenia, talk therapy can help you overcome the patterns of negative self-talk that keep you in a dark place. A therapist can help you let go of blame and help you recognize when you’re rehashing scenarios from the past that are not relevant to today.
Letting go of toxic influences.
Toxic influences are those that make us feel less than the best versions of ourselves. The toxic people in your life could be anyone from your friends and family to your boss at a job you hate. While making changes and cutting ties can be scary, it’s also a highly empowering move that can help you see just how much control you have over yourself and your surroundings.
Self-esteem is crucial for mental and physical well-being just as mental and physical well-being are essential for self-esteem. It is a reciprocal and continually evolving relationship that requires intention on your part. Simple steps, from inviting friends to a party to letting go of toxic influences, can all have a profound effect on your self-esteem and allow you to make better decisions that help you control and maintain your mental and physical health today and every day.
Additional resources on mental health and substance abuse recovery: https://addictionhub.org/
Comments
This was a great article and subject to tackle. The stigma of living with a diagnosis can be tough on an individual's self-esteem. I like your perspective on strategies to enhance one's self-esteem. Letting go of toxic influences was my favorite on your list. I've learned I do better with true friends than a bunch of associates. THANK YOU.
Warm regards,
Ashley Smith, Blog Author of Overcoming Schizophrenia