By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna
Self-esteem not only impacts how you feel about yourself, but also your relationships with others. When self-esteem is running high, life seems to fall right into place both in your personal and professional life. When your self-esteem tank is running low, it creates the exact opposite. This is why having low self-esteem can be such a serious problem.
Comes and goes. At times we all struggle with our self-esteem. The past few years have taken its toll on many peoples’ self-esteem. Covid, political division, crime, economy, war etc. are a few significant events that have occurred in a short amount of time. Many people I know state the uncertainty of their future. Many have become reclusive, relying on social media for information and approval-seeking messages. This is affecting mental health even more as we see suicide and mental illness rise so quickly.
February is known as “National Self-Esteem Month.” So, there’s not a better time to top off our self-esteem tank and hit 2023 with a full tank of self-esteem.
Some really easy ways to boost your self-esteem could include:
STOP criticizing yourself.
STOP comparing yourself!
START practicing gratitude.
START moving – we all know the benefits even a little bit of exercise can bring.
So, starting now, why not invest some time into boosting your self esteem and finding small ways in your life to encourage yourself? There are loads of information available about this awareness month, so why not start RIGHT NOW and tank up?
The Mayo Clinic provides these steps to feel better about yourself and how to harness the power of your thoughts and beliefs to raise your self-esteem https://lnkd.in/g2tF8MuN
If you are really struggling with self-esteem issues, please, contact a licensed qualified professional or confide in a friend or family member who can support you.
Sam DiGiovanna is a 40-year fire service veteran. He started with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, served as Fire Chief at the Monrovia Fire Department, and currently serves as Chief at the Verdugo Fire Academy in Glendale, Calif. He also is a consultant for Lexipol Fire Serviceswww.lexipol.com