According to new evidence, healthy self-esteem is one of the best preventive measures to ensure both physical and mental health. In fact, strong self-esteem can help boost the immune system, protect against heart disease, and aid in healing.
There are five major components that determine our self-esteem:
* Appearance -- how we dress and present ourselves;
* Physical abilities, determining what we can and can't do;
* How confident we feel in a social setting;
* Our perceived intelligence;
* Self-regard -- how we feel about ourselves.
A growing body of evidence indicates that some people with low self-esteem suffer from chronic pain, headaches, respiratory infections, and digestive problems such ulcers, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Low self-esteem is a common denominator in stress-prone people.
Researchers in psychology and psychoneuroimmunology stress that
self-efficacy (i.e., your perception of your own abilities) is one of the major components in healthy self-esteem. A study at UCLA showed that self-efficacy actually causes a chemical change in the brain -- it releases a chemical called catecholamine, which triggers a set of physiological reactions.
What can you do to improve your self-esteem and boost your immune system? Try the following:
* Have faith in yourself. Feel confident about who you are and what you do.
* Encourage others. By encouraging others you begin to believe in yourself as well.
* Dress up! Go "out on the town"; let people see you. Feel good about your physical appearance.
* Take a class or take up a hobby. Keeping yourself occupied on an intellectual level helps boost self-esteem.
* Begin to recognize positive traits in yourself as well as others.
* Set goals, but be realistic and allow yourself room to succeed. Do not set yourself up for failure.
* Recognize your achievements! Achievements do not come in various sizes. There are no small achievements; all achievements are big.
Remember that believing in yourself is the strongest weapon you have in promoting good health and living a long, happy live. If you have problems with self-esteem, seek the help of a support group or therapist and learn important ways to help you feel good about yourself. Good self-esteem can be the best medicine.
