Self-confidence and self-esteem are the key to living a happier life. However, no matter how much confidence a person possesses, he or she is bound to be enveloped by a certain amount of insecurities. If we allow those to loom over our minds, negative feelings take a toll on every aspect of our life – from our emotional well-being to our physical health to our performance at work. It’s normal to feel low on energy on certain days, but if that feeling becomes a part of us, that can make us prone to feelings of anxiousness and jealousy. Let’s not get you sad, and tell you some good news. No matter where you are in life, there are ways in which you can build self-esteem. It surely won’t happen overnight, but with the right strategies, you can learn how to overcome insecurity and improve the quality of your life.

HealthShots got in touch with Dr Kamna Chhibber, a clinical psychologist, Head of the Department of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences at Fortis Healthcare, to understand ways one can learn how to tackle personal insecurities.

How to deal with insecurity?

It’s not easy to fight the demons in your mind that only try to bring you down. However, learning to navigate your way around those insecurities can help take you toward a brighter future.

1. Awareness is the key to overcome insecurity

The expert says, “Become aware of where your insecurities stem from. Do they come from past experiences, your years growing up, or something else?”
It is important that you first become aware of the root cause of your feelings. Once you recognise and label them, you will halfway there to success. After identifying them, you will become more rational and will be able to come up with solutions to boost your self-worth.

2. Understand the ways these insecurities make you respond

The next step after becoming aware of what makes you insecure, is to see how these insecurities make you react and respond to people and situations. For instance, you might be insecure about your looks, and that in turn makes you anxious in public places where you think you might attract public attention.

Also read: Shilpa Shetty’s 5 daily affirmations can give your self-esteem and confidence an instant boost

3. Use your strengths to deal with insecurity

“Try to develop an insight into the strengths that you do have in your personality and the abilities you possess,” shares the expert. Every person has his/her own fair share of strengths and weaknesses. During times of low self-esteem, use your strengths to your advantage to come out of that whirlpool of negative beliefs or thoughts you get stuck in.

4. Remind yourself of your past achievements

Just because you are going through a rough phase in your life, battling feelings of insecurity doesn’t mean that you have done nothing great in your life. Remind yourself of all the achievements you have had to date. That will help you feel empowered and will help pull you out of that dark space.

5. Always trust and believe in yourself and your abilities

Never lose trust and believe in yourself, your values, and your goals even as you are working towards improving yourself. Trusting yourself is essential as only then you’ll be able to have faith that you can achieve the goals of your life.

Now try these easy and effective expert-recommended tips to overcome insecurity – whether it is related to relationships or your career.