While peer influence can improve your life, peer pressure can cause problems. For example, you may feel pressure to do unsafe things that have risks you may not fully know. Resisting peer pressure can involve avoiding it, saying no, and surrounding yourself with more positive influences. We often don’t want to be the odd one out, so we give in when pressured by a group. Remember that there will always be someone who would be willing to support us, even if they are not physically present in that moment. They may be schoolmates, teachers, colleagues, supervisors, or religious leaders.
The History and Philosophy of Leading Quality
- For example, you may feel pressure to do unsafe things that have risks you may not fully know.
- The desire to fit in and feel like you are part of a group is normal, and most people feel this way sometimes, especially in the teen and young adult years.
- It can involve anything from engaging in risky behaviors like reckless driving to adopting unhealthy habits like smoking, and excessive drinking just to fit in with a particular group.
- When someone does things that are out of character for them, it could be a result of peer pressure.
- Express your thoughts, feelings, and opinions confidently and respectfully.
- In another study, 153 adults who used a mindfulness meditation app for 2 weeks experienced reduced feelings of loneliness and increased social contact compared with those in a control group (20).
People like to pretend and aim to impress (especially on social media). You must recognize your own value and worth and appreciate your unique life. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. You don’t support that behavior, but you also don’t offer any outright criticism or urge them to come clean about the affair.
It’s okay to feel confused or struggle with peer pressure. Everybody faces it at some point in their lives.
Back then, I did not realise how peer pressure was affecting me, but it was affecting me in a number of ways – low mood, tearfulness, changes in behaviour, just to name a few. The key to resisting peer pressure is for the teen to have role models, new ideas, and the positive effects of healthy self-confidence. This is the type of pressure that leads you down a path that’s detrimental to your well-being. It can involve anything from engaging in risky behaviors like reckless driving to adopting unhealthy habits like smoking, and excessive drinking just to fit in with a particular group.
May help fight addictions
Remind yourself every now and then that you’re special and nuke any negative statements. Learning to stand up for yourself and your beliefs and to look ahead to consequences of your actions are important steps how to deal with peer pressure in becoming a responsible adult. However, when students move out of their parents’ house, many are forced to do a lot of things on their own and work to cover expenses like rent, transportation, and food.
Drugs & Supplements
- The key to resisting peer pressure is for the teen to have role models, new ideas, and the positive effects of healthy self-confidence.
- We all know what it’s like while dealing with peer pressure when so much seems to be riding on performance and meeting goals.
- “College life should be fun, glamorous, and entertaining,” they say.
- Having an ally who can intervene when you’re clearly uncomfortable builds motivation to leave tempting situations properly.
Ways to Avoid Peer Pressure
- Research has long shown peer pressure can increase the risk someone will try drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes.
- Many people see peer pressure as having negative effects, such as encouraging someone to smoke.
- Sometimes peer pressure takes over your mental peace and the war between your true self and the one you want to show to others starts.
- Everyone around you is laughing, dancing, and having a great time.
- Whenever any type of negative pressure you start experiencing, in that situation instead of agreeing to do something just pause and take deep breaths.
- However, it is important to note that peer pressure can also sometimes be positive.