Two Types of Self-Awareness ▪ Internal ▪ Strong internal self-awareness helps people align their actions with their true values, leading to greater authenticity and life satisfaction ▪ It’s linked to better emotional regulation, lower stress, more goal achievement, and a stronger sense of purpose. ▪ However, too much inward focus without constructive action (e.g. dwelling on your flaws) can lead to rumination, which negatively affects mental health. ▪ External ▪ High external self-awareness helps with social well-being: better relationships, empathy, and teamwork ▪ It allows for social adaptability – understanding how you’re perceived means you can communicate more effectively and avoid unnecessary conflict. ▪ But, if someone is overly concerned with how others see them, it can cause social anxiety or people-pleasing, which undermines well-being