Peer pressure is everywhere. It's one of the most difficult things you have to deal with while growing up, especially as a teenager. Peer pressure is the direct or indirect influence of one's peers. It is when you do something because you want to feel accepted and valued by your peers. Peer pressure starts mostly with a lack of confidence in yourself. This makes you susceptible to peer pressure. It can be positive or negative. When positive, it pushes you to be your best. When negative, it makes you go against your beliefs and values. All age ranges can be affected by peer pressure, however, the best thing to do is to know how to handle it whenever it comes.

How can you deal with negative peer pressure? Here are 7 significant ways you can deal with it;

  1. Plan ahead: You have to recognize the power of peer pressure and your vulnerability to its influence. Know that it will come and be prepared to know what to do and say when it comes.

  2. Self-confidence: You should be able to say "NO" when you don't feel right about the situation. Let the person pressuring you see what he/she is doing and how it's affecting you. Learn to speak up.

  3. Have good/trusted mentors: Get yourself a good, positive and trustworthy counsellor or mentor or even therapist that you can talk to and can help you with strategies that might work for you.

  4. Choose your friends wisely: Have friends with similar values and beliefs. Friends that will help you cling to your good goals and live rightly. How do you choose well? You will know your true friends even if it takes time. Good friends brings out the best in you. True friends like you for who you are and not who they want you to be.

  5. Get away from the pressure zone: Exit that place! Leave the scene! If possible.

  6. Be different: Don't buy the line that "everyone is doing it". The truth is "NOT" everyone is doing it. Stay different and true to yourself.

  7. Lastly, Be your own best friend: Only you have your best interest at heart. Go for your goals. Remind yourself of how special you are and erase all negative comments from your mind.

With all these 7 significant strategies, be assured then that you can always deal with the challenges of negative peer pressure no matter how it comes.

Dear reader, Thank you for reading through ❤️. Are there more ways to deal with peer pressure? If yes, I would love to know in the comment section. Also, do well to like, comment and share ❤️.