Mental health and self-esteem are closely linked and interdependent. Self-esteem influences how individuals perceive themselves, their abilities, and their worth. Mental health influences thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. People with higher self-esteem tend to have better mental health and vice versa.
Most individuals struggling with addiction and mental health also struggle with self-perception. They often feel isolated, strive to feel “normal,” and do not understand why they can’t. This can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, hopelessness, and worthlessness that perpetuate mental health symptoms. Mental health treatment at The Right Step Hill Country provides a safe, supportive environment where clients can uncover the root causes of their symptoms, begin the healing process, and rebuild their self-esteem.
The Relationship Between Self-Care and Mental Health
Self-care plays a critical role in improving and maintaining mental health. Inattention to self-care is a common symptom of individuals struggling with mental health issues like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, substance use disorder (SUD), and others. As mental health declines, many people struggle to maintain attention to:
- Grooming and hygiene
- Healthy eating
- Exercise
- Healthy sleep habits
- Setting healthy boundaries
- Spending time with others
- Engaging in activities or hobbies
- Practicing gratitude
- Household upkeep
- Professional responsibilities
The relationship between self-care and mental health is reciprocal. The better you feel about yourself, the better your self-care routines will be, and vice versa. In mental health treatment at Hill Country, some of the ways we promote self-care include:
- Structured daily and weekly routines
- Nutritional counseling and therapy
- Yoga
- Mindfulness and meditation
- Recreational activities and group outings
- Individual, group, and family therapy
- Skill-building groups
- Coping skills groups
- Life skills training
Untreated mental health issues can take over your life so that even the most basic tasks become overwhelming. Through mental health treatment, you receive therapy to address the underlying problems while learning to rebuild the framework of self-care routines that foster positive self-esteem, which in turn helps improve mental health & overall well-being.
Tips for How to Improve Self-Esteem
If you are struggling with your mental health, the best first step toward feeling better is to reach out for help. It’s common to feel isolated, misunderstood, helpless, or ashamed, and these feelings may be preventing you from getting the help you need. It is critical to know that you are not alone. Millions of others share similar struggles. Mental health issues are not a reflection of your character but are medical diseases that require treatment, just like any other illness.
At Hill Country, we rely on evidence-based therapies and holistic treatments that have been researched and proven effective for helping people heal from a range of mental health conditions. A brief sampling of the therapies we offer include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Trauma therapy
- 12-step groups
- Art therapy
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR)
Our treatment team works with you to determine the best therapies to meet your needs. In and out of treatment, there are many things you can do to help improve your self-esteem. Some helpful tips include the following:
- Exercise, meditate, and engage in hobbies to reduce stress
- Maintain a routine for eating, sleeping, and exercise
- Celebrate your strengths
- Set small, achievable goals and reward yourself for attaining them
- Stop comparing yourself to others
- Reduce time on social media
- Surround yourself with supportive people
- Practice self-compassion; treat yourself like you would treat your friends
- Use mantras or positive affirmations
- Challenge negative thoughts when they arise
While these tips may seem obvious, they can be easily overlooked or entirely forgotten during a mental health crisis. Changing negative self-talk and working to improve self-esteem is challenging because these thoughts and feelings are often deeply embedded in one’s psyche. Remember that change and healing take time, and you may have “slips” in progress. A journal is an excellent way to stay focused and track your recovery journey.
Enroll in Mental Health Treatment at Hill Country Today
When you are struggling with mental health, your self-esteem and self-care suffer. Likewise, if your self-esteem is low, you are more prone to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. At Hill Country, we provide comprehensive mental health treatment to address all areas of your well-being. You do not have to struggle alone or in silence. Complete the online form or call 1.844.675.1628 to talk with an intake specialist who can help you enroll in treatment today.