Guest wrote:Apart from telling then how good they are? And telling them they have lost it?
You don't. There's been a lot of good advice on this thread (especially from Kat.)
Personally, I think this modern obsession with self esteem has become almost cult like and can bring more harm than good. It may cause people to become excessively self absorbed and emotionally self indulgent when looking outwards rather than inwards (in some instances) is what is needed.
Three thing spring to mind to help those that suffer:
1. Accept you are human and being human can bring low mood for no apparent reason. It's just part of the territory. Some days thoughts like "God, I look like a right munter" or "I'm not successful at a damn thing" or "Why does everyone have it better than me?" can fall out of the ether and into our consciousness from nowhere even though they are not demonstrably true evidentially. Know that if you are patient they will flutter off eventually leaving normality behind. So, believe it will get better and with time it will.
2. Look outward to help others in a task that inspires you and elevates them. So, do some voluntary work for a food bank in your local area, help at a homeless charity, get involved in your local community. Doing something worthy brings self worth rather than trying to think it into existence.
3. Practice daily gratitude because gratitude is the cornerstone of happiness. So, at the end of the day ask yourself what you are grateful for as that focuses your mind on positivity and thankfulness. It can be simple things like "walking in the sunshine" or "fresh bed linen and the cold side of the pillow." It is so easy to forget what you have when you are focusing on what you don't.