Communication, Self-esteem, and Emotions

What is self-esteem, and the importance of self-esteem?

A measure of how much value you respect and feel confident about yourself. The reason why it is important is because the more confidence you have within yourself, the easier it will be to use your refusal skills.

Benefits of high self-esteem

The benefits of high self-esteem include self-respect and accountability, protecting oneself from risk factors, and avoiding body harm.

Risks for having low self-esteem

Individuals with low self-esteem are more vulnerable to peer pressure, which often leads to them making unhealthy decisions.

Characteristics of high self-esteem

Not being afraid to try new things

Characteristics of low self-esteem

Show little to no respect for themselves or others

They lead to put themselves down

They are critical of others

High risk for depression and suicide

Low self-esteem is linked to eating disorders, running away and violence

Improving self-esteem (ways to do so)

Use positive-self talk and the messages you receive from others

Be careful of the things you say to yourself

Self-Talk - coaching yourself about your one self's worth

Act with integrity - Characteristics of doing what one knows is right.

Choose supportive Friends - Avoid critical or disrespected individuals, acknowledge your strength and support your goals and values

Self-respect

Self-respect is the pressure of how you view yourself

Self-concept

In a positive self-concept, then you're most likely to have a higher self esteem

If you don't think of yourself as a very likeable or valuable person, then you probably have a negative self-concept.

Acceptance

Accept yourself - celebrating your strengths

Improve yourself by setting short term goals.

Effective ways to communicate

Communication is the process through which two or more people exchange information

Essentially how you communicate with others

Collect how others relate to you

Express yourself efficiently and allow others to understand how you feel

Communication styles

Passive - This person tends to go along with what others want and they do not protest or resist when challenged

Aggressive - hostile, unfriendly, not effective and usually leads to bigger conflicts

Assertive - healthiest communication style

Taking responsibility for your emotions during communication

I - messages are a way to appropriately communicate how you feel

Using the word "I" allows you to take responsibility for your emotions

Why do we use "I" statements or messages

Because "I" messages don't blame or attack the other person

Communicating your feelings appropriately helps others understand you better, helps alleviate stress, and allows you to develop and maintain long term relationships, which improves your health

Examples of "I" messages

I want

I feel

I would appreciate it

I think

I need

Empathy

Understanding other feelings, behaviors, and attitudes

Listening / active listening

Communication includes active listening

Letting the other party know you are listening and interested in what they are saying by asking questions relating to the topic

Engaging in body language

Maintaining eye contact

Not interrupting or changing subjects

Emotions

The feeling that is produced in response to life experiences

Name 5 emotions

Anger - results from frustration or helplessness your response to answer is crucial

Fear - fear is not a pleasant emotion. But it can be helpful, fear help us avoid danger

Guilt - It alerts you when you might be going against your morals and values, it can keep you true to yourself

Jealousy - often caused by fear that something you own, or love will be lost

Loneliness - An emotion that makes you feel isolated from others, not physically but emotionally isolated

Ways to manage emotions

Talk it out - talking to someone you trust

Blow off steam - releasing that pent up energy in a positive way, building, something, plating as part, exercise

Be creative - release your emotions creatively by painting or mediating, listening to music, writing

Mental and emotional health characteristics

Mental Health Characteristics - positive emotions, feeling resilient, feeling happy, having a high self-esteem

Emotional Health Characteristics - being able to learn new things, adapt to change, and have emotional awareness

Internal vs External Pressures

Pressure you feel to become sexually active from oneself.

Instinctive interest in sexual activity because sex is necessary for reproduction

Pressuring you to become sexually active, could include boyfriend girlfriends, social media, or your peers

It's important to remember your morals and values when being pressured to go against them

Positive and negative characteristics

Positive - Kind, respect, tolerant, treat others well, similar values and morals, mutual respect

Negative - Abusive, doesn't respect morals or values, jealous, possessive, manipulative