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Self-denial is refusing the things, habits that we do in past but in present we are totally denial with it. Self-denial is psychological defense mechanism which takes place in unconsciousness and play important role in protecting us from discomfort and anxiety. There are many reasons behind self-denial. First reason can be altruism which means to be selfless, people sacrifice their personal need. Another reason is personal growth and development which means people use self-denial as source of their self-discipline and personal growth. Another reason behind self-denial is spiritual or religious beliefs because in many religions people use self-denial as to make stronger connection with their divine, God by practicing certain behaviors like fasting, offering prayers etc. another reason behind self-denial can be social expectations and norms because cultural and social expectations can also sometimes encourage self-denial. sometimes self-denial can also be come from guilt and shame like people inhibit themselves from pleasurable activates it is also reason behind self-denial.
On the depending of practice self-denial there are many positive and negative factors of self-denial some of positive factors of self-denial are altruism and compassion because it can contribute to happiness and wellbeing of others because in self-denial people can prioritize the needs, happiness and wellbeing of others and develop sense of empathy and kindness. sometimes self-denial can contribute to strengthening relationship with others like individual prioritize the needs of other like their loved ones or closed ones which can contribute to build deeper connections, commitment, and trust with their loved ones. Another positive factor of self-denial is fulfillment of moral and spiritual beliefs because people with fulfillment of moral and spiritual belief self-denial can provide them purpose, spiritual fulfillment and personal growth.
As self-denial have some positive factors same as it also have some negative factors like neglecting self-care it means people who have excessive self-denial, they neglect their own physical, mental and social well being and when they continuously ignoring their personal needs it will give them stress and will diminish their ability to self-care. Another negative factor of self-denial is emotional suppression which means people who have a lot of self-denial they don’t address their personal needs and as a result it leads them to frustration and emotional suppression which can affect their mental health. Another main negative factor of self-denial is hindrance in personal growth because when people constantly prioritizing other needs over self-need so it will create lack of interest in their own lives and as a result, they will start losing interest in task which was pleasurable for them before and it will create hindrance in personal growth and as a result it will limit personal growth and opportunities for them.
Overall, as self-denial have both positive and negative factors so balance between them is very important in individuals’ life because too much self-denial is not good for individual because if individual is prioritizing others needs over the need of himself so it will limit his own capabilities and crate hindrance in his own personal growth. Same as if individual have no self-denial so it means individual have no empathy and he is prioritizing his own needs over the needs of others and will act selfishly that's why balance between both is very important.