Self-Esteem Objectives: 1.Students will understand self-esteem as it applies to the individual. i.e. self respect 2.Students will recognize the benefits of high self esteem and the risks that a low self esteem promotes. 3.Individuals will learn how self-esteem develops through childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. 4.Students will focus on techniques to improve self-esteem. 5.Each person will become familiar with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Indian Hills Middle School

Self-Esteem & Your Health Self-Esteem refers to how much you respect yourself and like yourself.  Most psychologists think that high self-esteem has a positive effect on health, while low self- esteem has a negative effect on health.

Self-Esteem & Your Health Benefits of High Self-Esteem Risk of Low Self-Esteem  People with high self-esteem accept themselves for who they are.  They have a realistic views of their strengths and weaknesses.  They maintain positive attitudes even when they fail a task.  People with high self-esteem maintain close relationships with others who respect and value them.  If you feel good about yourself you take care of yourself: eat better, exercise, set goals, bounce back from disappointment & avoid risky behaviors.  People with low self-esteem do not respect themselves.  They judge themselves harshly.  Worry about what others think.  They put on an “act” in public to impress others and hide insecurities.  Fear of failure.  Afraid to try new things.  Negative thoughts: I am not good enough, not smart enough,….  Low self-esteem leads to drug use, dropping out of school, early pregnancy, eating disorders.

How Self-Esteem Develops: Self-Esteem is not constant---it changes through one’s life! Childhood: Receives support and encouragement from family members. Learns to succeed at small tasks. Most children enter school with high self-esteem. Attitudes change when mixed with other students. Adolescence: Changes in attitudes: critical of appearance, abilities, interests, Compare abilities to others. The world around you influences self-esteem. Adulthood: Self-esteem begins to rise. Goals are accomplished. Taking control of one’s life Decreases in older adults

Improving Your Self-Esteem 1. Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses. 2. Set ambitious, but realistic goals for yourself. 3. Do not be too hard on yourself. 4. Rely on your values. 5. Learn to accept compliments. 6. LOOK BEYOND YOUR OWN CONCERNS! 7. Do not focus too much on appearance.

The Goal: Self-Actualization According to Maslow, before people can achieve self-actualization, their basic needs must be met. The psychologist Abraham Maslow taught that people have an inborn drive to be the best that they can be. This process by which people achieve their full potential is called self-actualization.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Esteem Belonging Safety Physical Needs Self Actualization Achieving Your Potential

How Self-Esteem Develops: 1. Physical Needs: the basic needs of the body; food, shelter, sleep…if these needs are not met a person has little or no means to pursue higher needs. 2. Safety: A person needs to have a safe environments; shelter from the elements, needs to feel safe from violence, a need for enough money to support the basic physical needs and other safety needs. 4. Esteem: Self-esteem and approval from others. Includes recognitions, respect, appreciations, attention, & can include fame, glory, status---your position in life. Self-esteem is the cape stone more important than approval from others. 5. Self-Actualization: Once all other needs are met, an individual can go on to achieve the qualities of a self-actualized person.

Personality Traits of Self-Actualized People Realistic and accepting Independent, self- sufficient Appreciative of life Concerned about humankind Capable of loving others Fair, unprejudiced Creative and hard- working Not afraid to be different Realistic and accepting Independent, self- sufficient Appreciative of life Concerned about humankind Capable of loving others Fair, unprejudiced Creative and hard- working Not afraid to be different

Good Health Review & Questions 1. Define self-esteem and explain the effects high and low self-esteem can have on health. 2. What are the three different stages of self-esteem development? 3. Why does self-esteem drop during adolescence years? Explain. 4. List 5 different ways you can improve your self- esteem and give an example. 5. List Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Explain each step.