The Relationship Between Anxiety and Low Self-Esteem Anxiety is a common emotion for low self-esteem sufferers. Negative emotions often stem from feelings of failure, whether that means displeasing someone we love, or disappointing someone we respect. Because many of us judge our own self-worth based on other’s perceptions of us, we personalize those negative experiences — leading to feelings of …
Is Social Media Making Your Depression Worse?
Is Social Media Making Your Depression Worse? Our world today is very interconnected. We use various social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to stay in touch with one another, and also to share our lives with the world in a new and public way. However, other reasons for the use of these platforms may be at play, and …
Why Are You So Skinny?
Why Are You So Skinny? Almost everyone has a time in their life when they feel it would be a good idea to drop a few pounds. The person loses a few pounds and their life goes on as normal. For someone suffering with anxiety and/or depression, losing a few pounds may not be that simple. Research shows that eating …
#Selfie Culture & Self-Esteem
#Selfie Culture & Self-Esteem We live in a culture that’s filled with hashtags and selfies, details of everyday life shared with the world on social media, along with pouty-lipped pictures and emoticons. What does this personal, yet distant social media world do to people’s self-esteem? The foundation of social media depends on how many people you know and how you …
Positive Psychology: The Importance of Saying Thank You
Positive Psychology: The Importance of Saying Thank You We live fast-paced and stressful lives, and somewhere along the line, saying “thank you” has lost its value. In the chaos of the daily grind, these two little words are either forgotten entirely, or brushed off as contrived and meaningless social niceties. However, studies suggest that expressing gratitude can improve your physical, …
Gratitude and a Great Night’s Sleep
Gratitude and a Great Night’s Sleep Depression and anxiety arise when we internalize and personalize negativity, and ruminate over the negative comments or actions of others. Consequences are a fact of life, and in order to lead happier lives, it is necessary for us to separate ourselves from the opinions and judgments of others, which are not necessarily personal indictments …
Gratitude: How a Simple Act Can Ward Off Depression
Gratitude: How a Simple Act Can Ward Off Depression It’s easy to overlook your fortunes in life. Good health, happy relationships, and even a roof over your head are some of the things we all take for granted at times. Counting your blessings and being grateful are often acts you have to consciously remember to do on special occasions or …
Self-Esteem Things Aren’t as Bad as They Seem
Self-Esteem The search for approval from others, and not getting it, can bring on depression and anxiety, affecting your self-esteem. This can lead to always thinking about the events of your life in a ‘worst-case scenario’ type of way. Allow yourself to approve of the actions you take. When the outcome is positive, it can help improve your self-esteem …
Compassion and Self-Esteem
The inestimable Karen Armstrong was a guest speaker at my synagogue’s Sabbath service this past week. She drew from different religions’ references to the central idea of kindness and acceptance of others. In the case of the Old Testament or Torah, she referenced the story of Abraham welcoming, for no apparent reason, three strangers into his camp on a hot …
Love, Money and Self-Esteem
All you need is love, love is all you Need – the Beatles We believe that all we need is love, and that money, love or both makes the world go round. These ideas are deeply embedded in our cultures and in our worldview. Sigmund Freud said that love and work are the cornerstones of our humanness, and that the …