By Satvika

Effects of Loneliness on Self Esteem

Loneliness is a state of mind. Loneliness is an unpleasant emotional response to perceived isolation. Loneliness causes people to feel empty, alone, and unwanted. Lonely people crave for human interaction and connection but their state of mind makes it hard for them to form relationships with others. 

Low self esteem causes loneliness.

Loneliness can be attributed to internal factors such as low self-esteem. One of the risk factors of loneliness is antisocial behavior. People who lack confidence in themselves often believe that they are unworthy of the attention or regard of other people, which can lead to isolation and chronic loneliness. Individuals with low-esteem may struggle to maintain or develop new social relationships because they are less likely to seek out social activities. Lower expectations of pleasantness associated with social interactions may also block motivation to interact with others.

People might feel that they do not fit in. Low self-esteem makes them feel as though they are not as smart, good-looking, talented and cool as their peers. Which leads them to avoid their peers and eventually avoid all human interaction as much as possible. People with low self-esteem lack confidence. Which makes them have irrational beliefs about them and the world around them. They start to feel that if they go out in public and interact, others will make fun of them and laugh at them. They fear that they will make a fool of themselves.

Low self-esteem makes you feel intimidated

People can be intimidated by how others are doing in their lives. Factors such as good grades, jobs, socio-economic state, relationships etc. Even though success of others and self are not connected, people tend to associate the two and determine their validity based on it. And therefore they try to avoid people they are intimidated by, as they feel inferior to them. Low self-esteem can also cause physical insecurity. People might fear that others will notice the flaws or may envy others for the way they look.

It is important to recognize both low self-esteem and loneliness as soon as possible. Because both of them have potential to be risk factors for something more serious and harmful. As low self-esteem can cause other issues such as loneliness, try to prevent low self-esteem in the first place. 

Here are some simple techniques that may help you feel better about yourself.

1. Recognize what you're good at.
2. Try to build relationships with people who are positive and who appreciate you.
3. Being kind to yourself; being gentle to yourself at times when you feel like being self-critical.
4. Give yourself a challenge; Set yourself a goal, such as joining an exercise class or going to a social occasion. Achieving your goals will help to increase your self-esteem.

It is important to understand the consequences and take appropriate action. 

to know more about Tips to Overcome Workplace Isolation read here
to know more about Loneliness and Physical Health read here

Tags: #SelfEsteem #Loneliness #Isolation #BuildUp #SelfWorth #SelfAcceptance #SelfLove #SelfValue #Intimidated #SelfConfidence #SelfBelieve #LowSelfEsteem #SelfCritical

References-

1. How Do You Feel? Self-esteem predicts affect, stress, social interaction, and symptom severity during daily life of patients with chronic illness. By Vanessa Juth, Joshua M. Smyth, and Alecia M. Santuzzi.  
2. Loneliness: Causes and Health consequences. By Kendra Cherry, MSEd.
3. Raising low self esteem - NHS