Do You Suffer with Low Self-Esteem?

Low self-esteem refers to having a generally negative overall opinion of oneself. It involves judging or evaluating oneself negatively and placing a general negative value on oneself as a person. People with low self-esteem often harbor deep-seated, basic beliefs about themselves that are unfavorable. Here are some characteristics associated with low self-esteem: Self-Perception: Individuals with low self-esteem may not like themselves very much. They might assume that others don’t like them because they perceive themselves as unlikeable or damaged. Additionally, they may think of themselves as unlovable or unworthy of love. Persistent Negativity: Unlike temporary feelings of doubt or annoyance, low self-esteem is characterized by long-term negativity about one’s self and how they show up in the world. These negative feelings can be persistent and challenging to overcome. Causes: The roots of low self-esteem often trace back to early childhood or adolescence. Negative experiences during these formative years can contribute to a poor self-opinion. Genetics may also play a role, although research on genetic causes is limited. Early Causes: Childhood and adolescent factors that can lead to low self-esteem include ongoing harsh criticism from authority figures (such as parents or teachers), emotional distance from parents or caregivers, childhood trauma (such as parental divorce or sexual abuse), academic struggles, and feeling less attractive than the idealized images portrayed in social media. Effects: Low self-esteem can hinder enjoyment of life, impact the ability to achieve goals, and adversely affect mental and physical health. It’s essential to recognize and address these feelings to improve overall well-being. Everyone experiences moments of doubt, but persistent negativity about oneself constitutes low self-esteem. Seeking support can help improve self-esteem and promote a healthier self-image. This area is one of my specialties. I am a client centered, solutions based therapist. I refer you to my website www.dragonflytherapy.co.za where you can find out more about me or contact me.

Do you feel like you are burnt out?

It’s common to feel burnt out towards the end of the year due to increased workloads, deadline pressures, and the desire to wrap up the year on a high note.

End of year burnout is fatigue that manifests itself towards the end of the year. It is as a direct result of being overworked and stressed. Some people struggle with social commitments in addition to work commitments at this time of year.

Symptoms of burnout include physical, emotional, and psychological exhaustion, irritability, low mood, lack of concentration, and withdrawal from loved ones.

Physical symptoms associated with burnout are aches, headaches, nausea, and low libido.

To cope with year-end stress, use the following strategies: –

Set realistic expectations for yourself and others. Learn to say “no” to additional commitments that may cause unnecessary stress.
Deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety. You can also try progressive muscle relaxation, visualization, or aromatherapy.

Exercise can help reduce stress and improve your mood. You can try a brisk walk, a quick home workout, or a yoga session.

Good sound and restorative sleep is imperative. Practice sleep hygiene.

Prioritize your tasks and break them down into smaller, manageable steps. This can help you feel more in control and reduce feelings of overwhelm.

Dedicate time to activities you’re passionate about, such as painting, cooking, writing, or playing a musical instrument. These creative outlets can serve as a source of relaxation and inspiration when your batteries are running low.

Maintain a balanced diet. Eating a healthy, balanced diet can help you feel better physically and mentally.
Try to avoid overindulging in sugary or fatty foods, which can cause energy crashes and mood swings. Watch the coffee you are consuming.

These practical steps will help you manage your stress levels over this time.

If the above strategies do not assist you, contact me to set up a session on how to manage stress, work anxiety or social anxiety.

Do You Feel Isolated?

More recently, post covid, I have come across more and more cases of isolation and this can have profound effects on the human body and brain. It can lead to changes in sleep cycle, hallucinations, depression, and problems with decision-making and memory storage and recall. Socially isolated people are less able to deal with stressful situations and are more susceptible to illness. Reconnecting with other humans can reduce loneliness and help restore us to good mental and physical health. Isolation is the experience of being separated from others. It may result from being physically separated from others, such as when a person lives in a remote area. Isolation can also result from being emotionally removed from a community. An isolated person may experience loneliness or low self-esteem. If you are feeling lonely or isolated, it is important to seek help. You can talk to a friend or family member, join a social group, or seek professional help.

Enhance your intuition skills.

Intuition is the ability to understand something instinctively, without the need for conscious reasoning. It is a critical skill in the workplace because it helps people make quick decisions based on their experience and knowledge. With the introduction of AI, intuition becomes even more important because it can help people identify patterns and trends that machines might miss. According to a recent article in the Journal of Business Ethics, the increasing use of AI technologies in the workplace has implications for the experience of meaningful human work. The article suggests that AI can enhance or diminish employees’ experiences of meaningful work across five dimensions constituting a holistic account of meaningful work . The OECD is working with governments, businesses and workers around the world to try to measure and analyze the impact of AI on training needs and labor markets, and to help shape a human-centric approach to trustworthy AI. In conclusion, intuition is a critical skill in the workplace because it helps people make quick decisions based on their experience and knowledge. With the introduction of AI, intuition becomes even more important because it can help people identify patterns and trends that machines might miss.

Values, Beliefs, Attitudes

Values matter a lot because they shape how we think, feel, and act. They show what we care about most in life and are often called our personal rules or life goals. We might have different goals for different situations, like getting a raise or a new car, finishing a race, or going to Europe, but our values are lifegoals that apply to any situation. They influence our behavior in all parts of our life, like our family life, our work life, and our social life. Knowing what our values are can help us make choices that are beneficial to us, like taking a job that has more to offer and more chances for stability and security. Values can help us understand each other’s decisions and avoid confusion, anger, and mistrust. Realizing that other people have different values that lead them to different decisions and directions in their lives can help us see that their choices might be different from ours, but they might be right for them. To sum up, values are important because they: Shape how we think, feel and act.
Show what we care about most in life.
Help us make choices that are of benefit to us.
Help us understand each other’s decisions.
Help us avoid confusion, anger and mistrust.

Transformational Coaching with Hypnotherapy

How well does transformational coaching and hypnotherapy work together?

Transformational coaching and hypnotherapy are two powerful modalities that can help you achieve your goals, overcome your challenges, and create positive changes in your life. But how well do they work together? Transformational coaching is a process of helping you identify and clarify your vision, values, purpose, and goals, and supporting you in taking action to achieve them. It is based on the premise that you have the potential to transform your life by changing your mindset, beliefs, and habits.

Hypnotherapy is a form of therapy that uses hypnosis to access your subconscious mind, where most of your emotions, memories, and patterns are stored. It can help you release negative emotions, heal past traumas, reprogram limiting beliefs, and enhance your abilities and skills.

When combined, transformational coaching and hypnotherapy can create a synergistic effect that can accelerate your personal growth and development. By working on both the conscious and subconscious levels, you can align your thoughts, feelings, and actions with your desired outcomes. You can also overcome any inner resistance or blocks that may be holding you back from achieving your full potential.

Some of the benefits of combining transformational coaching and hypnotherapy are:

– You can gain clarity and focus on what you want to achieve and why.

– You can increase your motivation and confidence to take action.

– You can overcome fears, doubts, and procrastination that may be stopping you from moving forward.

– You can resolve any inner conflicts or contradictions that may be creating stress or confusion.

– You can heal any emotional wounds or traumas that may be affecting your well-being or performance.

– You can develop new habits and behaviours that support your goals and values.

– You can enhance your creativity, intuition, and problem-solving skills.

– You can achieve lasting results that are congruent with who you are and what you want.

If you are interested in experiencing the benefits of transformational coaching and hypnotherapy, contact me for a consultation. I would love to help you create the life you deserve.