How to Avoid Peer Pressure

Learning how to avoid peer pressure is invaluable to both children and adults. Follow these tips to help you build confidence in your abilities and decision-making in social situations and find out how to decline from participating in undesirable situations.

Instructions

1. Build self-esteem. Confidence in one's own abilities and actions can naturally deter peer pressure, since fear of shame or embarrassment is a leading reason why individuals give into it.

2. Know and respect your personal limits. Having a strong idea of what your goals and abilities are can help your refuse undesirable propositions.

3. Surround yourself with people with whom you share similar values. Finding friends with the same values as you can help reduce the amount of peer pressure you may experience. At the same time, avoid people and situations that can tempt you to do things you normally wouldn't want to do.

4. Remind yourself about the possible negative consequences that can come from giving into peer pressure. Many consequences are scenario-specific, but giving into peer pressure can also result in a loss of self-respect, strained relationships and trouble with authority figures.

5. Practice standing your ground. Imagine scenarios in which peer pressure could become an issue. Formulate predetermined responses. Find a trusted friend with whom to role play. Use confidence, humor, flattery, challenges and topic changes to find ways out of the undesirable situations.

6. Find a confidante. Talking about temptations with someone whom you can trust can help you cope with them.

7. Base your decision-making on your own individual personality. Acknowledging your values, belief systems, thoughts, feelings and preferences can help you avoid bowing to peer pressure.