– By Elaine Collins, Founder & Clinical Director at Brain Training Australia, Perth

Low Self-Esteem Makes Life Difficult

Low self-esteem opens the mental and emotional door for anxiety, depression, a lack of joy, social issues and so on, to become a part of one’s life. To put it in the most simple terms: low self-esteem makes life difficult. So how do we improve low self-esteem?

People suffering from low self-esteem will typically not place significance on the positive events in their life, such as compliments, doing well, making someone happy, seeing something beautiful, travelling and enjoyment among other things. This occurs because the brain is stuck in negative, non-productive patterns.

On the other side of that coin, low self-esteem sufferers are likely to dwell on anything they perceive as negative, embarrassing or on something perceived as a failure. The result of this habit is that small negative occurrences can become overwhelming thoughts, and ultimately, an ingrained belief system.

(Have you ever noticed, as a person with low self-esteem or anxiety, that thoughts, fears and worries tend to play on an almost endless loop inside your mind?)

Typical Signs of Low Self-Esteem Can Include:

• Unwillingness to socialise with friends and family (withdrawing from support)
• Finding it difficult to try new things
• Unable to believe that compliments are genuine
• Anxiety and/or depression
• Overindulging in food, alcohol and drugs
• Making jokes about oneself
• Feeling nervous
• A high rate of days off work or school

Low self-esteem can occur for so many reasons, but the mechanics of it tend to start in childhood. It can be due to one event such as being embarrassed in a social situation, ongoing events such as struggling in academia, or traumatic events such as bullying or unstable home life. The cause can also be completely unknown. Even though the reasons vary, the result is the same – low self-esteem makes life difficult. It puts joy out of reach a lot of the time, and it can impact the ability and willingness to engage fully with the world.

What To Do About Low Self-Esteem?

Low self-esteem doesn’t have to be a life sentence, it can be improved dramatically and in a fairly short time frame for both adults and children. Brain Training through non-linear Neurofeedback is a safe, natural and holistic and effective way to break through the neurological patterns that have caused low self-esteem to be dominant.

Neurofeedback and Low Self-Esteem

We use Non-Linear NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback which is an advanced neurotechnology that is safe, natural, non-invasive, drug-free and a highly effective way to improve your self-esteem, naturally. 

Neurofeedback utilises real-time displays of brain activity using electroencephalography (EEG) to teach self-regulation of brain function.  It detects inconsistency and abrupt changes in the electrical activity of your brain that undermine optimal functioning and informs the brain of these sudden shifts through interruptions in the sound you are listening to.  This refocuses your brain’s attention to the present moment and allows your brain activity to naturally self-correct.

A key point to be clear about here is that nothing is ‘put into’ the brain.  There is a big difference between linear neurofeedback which is a form of brain stimulation, and non-linear which works through auditory perception interruption.  We use the latter, non-linear neurofeedback as it allows for a seamless, natural process, without stimulating your brain and getting unwanted negative side effects.  It is not electronic shock therapy, there is no current going into the brain, it is not stimulating the brain in any way and to put your mind at ease you’re not going to end up with a perm or crossed eyes at the end of your session!  There are no hidden surprises – it is simply a very relaxing experience and required no effort on your part – your only job is to show up for your session.  You can sit comfortably, listen to music, read a book or meditate and let the Neurofeedback Brain Training do the work for you.  Neurofeedback trains your brain to become more flexible, more resilient, more regulated with improved cognitive performance to enable you to function at your best.

Neuroplasticity and Self-Esteem

While Neurofeedback is the modality, the process by which the change occurs is called neuroplasticity – that is, the ability of the brain to change. Every brain can change, in fact, our brains are designed to do so throughout our entire lives.

As your brain gently rebalances itself things begin to feel different. Many clients first notice that they feel calm in situations that once made them uncomfortable, their reactiveness levels have lowered, most will find more energy and feel better about socialising and going to work. Focus and concentration also tend to improve.

New neural pathways become stronger through regular Brain Training and the negative patterns fall away, and self-esteem naturally begins to build. Negative ruminating and looping thoughts dissipate and new positive thoughts and feelings take their place.  To truly build self-esteem we have to remove the patterns that stopped it from developing in the first place and this is what neurofeedback does so well, with no side effects and no medication.

If you or someone you know is struggling with self-esteem issues then we would love to hear from you to help you on your journey to optimal wellness. The potential of the human brain is limitless, and in turn so are you.

Train your brain and upgrade your life at Brain Training Australia, we are ready to help you when you are ready to help yourself.