4 Ways to Avoid Peer Pressure in Teens

Adolescence is a formative period that lays a foundation for developing and maintaining social and emotional habits in young adults. Supportive environments across families, schools, societies are very crucial during this period. One of the challenges faced by teens is the peer pressure norms that can to a larger extent shape their mental health. If you feel like you have no one to talk to or who understands, try talking to our friendly AI bot on Wysa!

The longing to feel accepted can make us all eager. Everybody loves to be accepted and look cool. It is observed that teens are more likely to conform to peer pressure and are more likely to ignore risks associated with it. Here are a few staggering facts about the mental health of young adults:

• Mental health conditions account for 16% of the global burden of disease and injury in people aged 10–19 years.
• Half of all mental health conditions start by 14 years of age but most cases are undetected and untreated.
• Globally, depression is one of the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents.
• Suicide is the third leading cause of death in 15-19-year-olds.
• The consequences of not addressing adolescent mental health conditions extend to adulthood, impairing both physical and mental health and limiting opportunities to lead fulfilling lives as adults.

⚠️If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, help is at hand. Please visit this list of helplines and resources for different countries.

Tips to Avoid Peer Pressure in Teens

So we have compiled a few ways for you to avoid peer pressure and enjoy life at your own pace, according to your own taste. You can thank us later.

Be your own best friend

"What your friends are and aren’t doing is their choice, what you do is yours"

- Jill Whitney

If you have to do things that are completely against what you actually feel like doing, just to be accepted. You have to understand that you can say no and still be friends. Good friends always respect your decisions and choices as long as you aren't hurting anyone else.

Pick up a hobby

Being original is always better than following the trend. Pick up a unique hobby, a new sport and get better at it. It could be poetry, drama, sports or sketching. You can always find your high in things like these.

Everybody is not doing it

If anybody told you to do something just because everybody is doing it, they are probably wrong. There are people who have fun without doing the same things everywhere and to each, their own.

Learn from experience

It is not a mistake to make a mistake, but it's a mistake if you repeat the same mistake. So make sure the next time somebody asks you to do something, remember what the consequences were last time, and listen to yourself. Politely say no and take an exit, if necessary. Be kinder to yourself and practice self-compassion on Wysa.

To be yourself in a world that is constantly offering something else is one of the greatest things you can do for yourself. Follow your own heart and future you will thank you for it!