SELF-AWARENESS: DISCOVERING YOUR TRUE SELF
Self-awareness is a state in which people are well aware of their thinking, behavior, weaknesses, and strengths. Self-awareness is a process of developing consciousness that begins in infancy and continues into adulthood. It grows through personal evaluation, reflection, and recollection of events.
Quite often, people ask themselves, "Who am I?" Where am I heading in life? Am I making the right choices?
The study highlights the importance of having self-awareness and how it can help individuals manage their daily lives, relationships, and work. When we embrace who we are, we find a sense of assurance that diminishes the need for validation from the outside world.
IMPORTANCE OF SELF-AWARENESS IN STRESS:
In today's fast-paced life, stress is emerging as an inevitable problem, making managing everyday stress and anxieties more important than ever. Stress becomes chronic when it persists over months and years, leading to deterioration in physical and mental health. However, the empowering aspect of self-awareness in stress management is evident.
A 2022 study conducted to explore the protective effects of self-awareness concluded that participants with high self-awareness were able to achieve better behavioral performances even in the presence of considerable stress, because they felt a sense of control over their situation.
This protective effect of self-awareness is thought to be due to enhancements in attention allocation and mindfulness, where it becomes possible to refrain from unhealthy coping practices like drugs and alcohol and development of healthy coping strategies and stress management techniques.
IMPORTANCE OF SELF-AWARENESS IN ILLNESS:
It has long been known that individuals with a better understanding of their health and illnesses are more adept at managing their well-being. Research has investigated how lower levels of awareness may result in a lack of concern about one's deteriorating health and the ability to navigate everyday activities, making individuals less likely to modify those activities. Conversely, those with high levels of awareness are more likely to make behavioral modifications, as they are more concerned about their ability to appropriately carry out activities.
Self-awareness allows individuals to adopt a proactive and responsible approach to their health. In addition to understanding physical illnesses, being aware of mental health issues is crucial. This awareness not only encourages open discussions about mental health but also leads to improved treatment outcomes for conditions such as anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
IMPACT OF EMOTIONAL AWARENESS ON RELATIONSHIPS:
Emotional awareness is a powerful tool. It empowers individuals with better self-regulation, self-compassion and empathy for others. The 2021 study highlights that emotional awareness and recognition are critical in leading successful relationships, reflecting that a stronger ability to navigate one’s own and others' emotions requires good awareness and recognition ability. These abilities are developed as a part of the process of boosting self-awareness making it easier to predict how someone will behave in a conspicuous situation, e.g:
- Just because I enjoy doing an activity doesn't mean another person will also be happy doing that same activity.
- The same facial expression can indicate different internal states in other contexts).
HOW TO IMPROVE SELF-AWARENESS?
- Our conscious experience of oneself is the foundation of self-awareness. This process is not just a necessity but also an intriguing adventure.
- When embarking on self-discovery, we must spend time with ourselves, becoming aware of who we are as individuals.
- For many people, journaling their thoughts and reactions helps in deeper self-reflection and understanding.
- Keeping a track of what brings us joy, what makes us scared, what triggers our anger, etc serves as a powerful self-knowledge tool. This understanding enables us to effectively manage our emotions and prevent burnout through practices like meditation and behavioral therapy.
- Before developing higher virtues like resilience and emotional intelligence, we must deeply understand our likes, dislikes, strengths, and weaknesses. This self-awareness forms the foundation for personal growth.
A WORD FROM MENTAL NURTURING:
Self-awareness represents a promising and rapidly evolving area of research in socio-emotional skills, with profound implications for mental health and well-being. The greater our comfort with our identities, the less we seek approval from others, managing peer pressure at par.
A recent study that examined brain activity in both healthy individuals and those with various neurological and psychiatric disorders has identified distinct brain networks associated with interoception—the ability to perceive internal bodily sensations—body ownership, and consciousness. This discovery highlights the remarkable potential of heightened self-awareness and a healthy mind, which significantly enhance emotional regulation, improve memory, boost flexibility, and promote healthier coping strategies.
The advancements promise not only to improve therapeutic strategies for individuals grappling with mental health challenges but also to inspire hope for a brighter future, where individuals can cultivate stronger self-awareness and, in turn, foster a support network for mental well-being.
RESOURCES:
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2. Tisserand A, Philippi N, Botzung A, Blanc F. Me, Myself and My Insula: An Oasis in the Forefront of Self-Consciousness. Biology (Basel). 2023 Apr 14;12(4):599. doi: 10.3390/biology12040599. PMID: 37106799; PMCID: PMC10135849.
3. Lane RD, Smith R. Levels of Emotional Awareness: Theory and Measurement of a Socio-Emotional Skill. J Intell. 2021 Aug 19;9(3):42. doi: 10.3390/jintelligence9030042. PMID: 34449662; PMCID: PMC8395748.
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Written by:
Dr.Saba Munir, MBBS,
On Feburary 23, 2025
