Teen Self Esteem - Help Your Teens

The Positive Impact of Sports on Teen Development

krischislett — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 16:53:32 +0000

Are you a parent looking for an alternative way to help shape your teen’s development? Sports participation can be one of the most beneficial activities you can introduce into their life. Being involved in sports increases physical activity and develops teamwork, confidence, and problem-solving abilities – all skills that are essential for life.

In this complete guide on the positive impact of sports on teen development, we will explain why it is so important and provide helpful tips to make sure your teenager is getting the most out of their experience. So strap in as we show how any type of sport involvement – even just participating at home with family or friends – can lead to real changes in attitude, behavior, academic performance, mental health, and more!

Improved Teamwork Skills

Playing sports can help teens improve their teamwork and leadership skills, while also teaching them the power of collaboration. Teamwork is an essential part of life at any age, but especially during adolescence.

By learning cooperation and working with others, teens develop life-long social skills that will serve them on and off the field. Teen athletes also benefit from building relationships across competitive lines – something that would otherwise be difficult to learn without competing in team sports.

Boosted Self-Confidence

As teenagers, it is perfectly normal to feel unsure of oneself and struggle with self-confidence. However, sports can be a great way to boost self-confidence and help teens realize their full potential whether they need confidence for that straight left arm golf move or taking an algebra test. Through practice and in-game perseverance, young athletes gain a stronger sense of self through understanding their own strengths as well as areas of improvement.

Consequently, this newfound knowledge will eventually allow them to have more faith in themselves doing any tasks or challenges set before them – whether on the court or off the court. Regardless of any successes or setbacks along the way, playing sports teaches teens how to stay dedicated and motivated which will almost certainly lead to greater heights of confidence within themselves and with those around them.

Better Problem-Solving Abilities

A study conducted in 2017 found that physical activity encourages the growth of neural circuitrythat creates a mental capacity to adeptly solve complex issues. Teenagers who participate in some sort of sports, even if it’s just a few hours a week, are shown to become confident and comfortable when handling difficult situations, both on the playing field and in the classroom.

Additionally, this type of physical activity helps teens learn to think strategically, weigh their options, and make decisions that reflect both their long-term goals and benefit society as a whole. Those benefits are sure to last long into adulthood if nurtured throughout adolescence.

Increased Physical Activity

As teenagers progress through school and on to adulthood, physical activity can have a major impact on their development. From improved motor skills to improved cognitive ability, participation in sports can yield a variety of benefits for teens. Engaging in regular physical exercise has the potential to reduce depression, improve self-esteem, and even teach teens the importance of discipline and commitment.

Exercise can be an especially important part of teenage development since it releases endorphins throughout the body that make us feel good, even when everything else is going wrong! Compared to adults with low levels of physical activity, adolescents who stay active show significantly better mental health and higher self-esteem.

Enhanced Social Interaction and Relationships

Participating in team sports activities can teach adolescent teens how to better interact with others, leading them to create valuable friendships and learn how to work together. Not only that, teen athletes often find an increased sense of belonging within the larger community when they join organized sports leagues and clubs.

With an improved sense of self-worth, teens may feel more comfortable forming strong connections with friends both on the field and in their personal lives. Going even further, teens who take part in team sports are given an opportunity to form healthy relationships with authority figures like coaches who serve as positive mentors – giving guidance, encouragement, and stability outside the home environment.

Enhanced Respect for Authority Figures

Sports can be a powerful tool for instilling respect for authority figures in teens, as participation often involves following the rules and respecting guidance from coaches and other leaders. Because of this, teens may internalize ideals around leadership, like responsibility and staying composed in difficult situations.

These lessons can help teens to recognize their own legitimate authority figures and better understand their place within a given context or team. With sports-related guidance, teens may even develop an appreciation for the opportunities they’ve been granted through hard work and dedication, recognizing the importance of seeking out mentors that can provide direction on striving towards larger goals.

In conclusion, the positive effect of sports on teen development is recognized and can’t be underestimated. Kids learn valuable lessons from participating in team sports such as improved teamwork skills, boosted self-confidence, and better problem-solving abilities. In addition to the mental boosts, physical activity and increased social interaction with peers are also proven beneficial for teen development.

They also develop respect for authority figures which is important for future success. With sports providing a healthy outlet for teens to participate in physical training, cooperation, and socializing in their environments, the positive impact of sports on teen development is undeniable.

Also read:

How Boxing Helps Mental Health

Mental Health Options for Teens

The post The Positive Impact of Sports on Teen Development first appeared on Help Your Teens.

How to Help an Insecure Teen

krischislett — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 13:13:52 +0000

Being a teenager is one of the most enjoyable and, on the other side, stressful stages of life. Acne, abnormal body proportions, bullying, and self-shaming are potentially devastating circumstances one can experience. This might make one doubt their abilities to succeed socially, achieve their goals, and be accepted by their peers.

Even worse, the insecure teen will likely carry those feelings into adulthood. If you are a parent, you should ensure their fears and insecurities don’t get in the way of fully expressing themselves and having fun throughout their teenage years. Here are some ways to address their self-image issues and anxieties and work toward fostering a trusting relationship with them.

Promote Self-improvement

Self-improvement is a process. It doesn’t happen overnight and doesn’t come naturally to everyone. The hardest part of self-improvement is accepting that we are not perfect and don’t have all the answers.

If you want your child to embrace and practice self-improvement, be the one to do so. If you can show your teen that there is a healthy balance between self-acceptance and self-improvement, they will be more likely to make an effort to become better.

Encouraging self-improvement with your kids can seem like an overwhelming task at times — after all, how do you tell a child that she needs to improve herself without making it seem like a chore?

A parent’s role is to literally assist their child in finding solutions to these insecurities. For instance, if they have acne, you can advise them to establish a good hygiene routine and see a dermatologist for treatment. You can approach the weight issue in the same way. A bariatrician can help, so take them there for treatment.

To understand more about adolescent health and how you may help your child, you can also read blogs online. BuzzRx.com is one of many online resources that doesn’t only offer discounts on prescriptions but also features a helpful blog section that can guide you as you support your teenagers through this phase of their lives.

Lastly, parents can also encourage their children to develop a positive self-image by modeling a confident and optimistic outlook on life and sharing their own successes with them. This is a great way to encourage your teen to start a positive inner dialogue with themselves.

It doesn’t matter how long or short an encouraging message is as long as it means something to the receiver. They don’t need to be complicated or profound; they just need to be sincere. The key is consistency — repeat affirmations often enough to become true for your teen, who will begin sharing them with others.

Encourage Open Communication

If you have an insecure teen, the best way to help them is to be a good listener. This means not rushing to give advice or telling your child that they need to try harder.

Parents need to encourage open communication with their children. You may think, “But how do I encourage open communication with my child?”

Here are some tips for making it easier:

Schedule time to talk more often.
Set boundaries around when you can talk and when you cannot (e.g. when your teen is at work).
Make sure to listen to what they say rather than just waiting for them to tell you something.
Don’t try to solve problems or make decisions for your child; let them figure things out independently as long as they don’t make bad choices.

Help Them Acknowledge Their Anxieties

You don’t have to be a psychologist to help your child understand that anxiety can be both a normal and a healthy part of life. Helping your child recognize that they are experiencing something other than a problem is the first step in teaching them how to manage their emotions.

First of all, be calm and supportive. When your child comes to you with something they are anxious about, try not to take it personally or get angry. Your reaction will likely make them feel worse, so try not to react. Instead, respond with kindness and compassion — even if you think the situation is silly. Let them know that many people get nervous about things and that they don’t need to feel bad about it.

Don’t make them feel silly. If your child seems overly emotional about something, tell him it’s normal to feel this way sometimes — but also reassure him that he doesn’t have anything wrong with him. This can be hard because we naturally want our children to grow up quickly and become independent.

Introduce New Hobbies

Teenagers are curious, excited, and ready to learn. They’re also often desperate for validation. It’s natural for teens to want to explore new things and try new activities to make them feel like they belong in their world.

Teens who feel part of something are more likely to feel confident and less likely to act out. When teens feel accepted by their peers and parents, they are more likely to embrace new opportunities and change.

As long as the activity helps develop their skills and abilities, teens should feel comfortable doing it. But most importantly, parents should encourage new opportunities because it shows teens that they have options other than what’s expected of them.

Final Thoughts

As a parent, you want your children to grow into independent, capable adults. To make an environment that nourishes and encourages their development, teach teens by example and provide them the space to develop the skills you want them to learn. This can be challenging, but it’s well worth the effort. Your kids will be better equipped for life if you model respect for them early in their lives.

Also read:

How Social Media Is Affecting Your Teen’s Self-Esteem.

How to Help Your Teen Build Self-Confidence.

Why Teens Need Curfews.

This is a guest post.

The post How to Help an Insecure Teen first appeared on Help Your Teens.

How to Help Your Teen Build Self-Confidence

krischislett — Sun, 08 May 2022 15:09:15 +0000

Why does my teen have low self-esteem? How can I help my teen develop self-confidence? Confidence is the belief that you’ll be successful or that you’ve made the right choice in a particular situation.

There’s no doubt that teen’s with a positive self-worth and self-esteem are more likely to make better choices and less likely to engage in risky behaviors. They also have the confidence to stand with their own decisions rather than following a negative peer group.

Teenagers today are faced with all sorts of peer pressure, not only offline, but with the rise of social media, they are constantly fighting the compare and despair feelings that can come with the false reality of digital lives. Teens that have self-confidence are better able to handle these emotional times, as well as navigate peer pressure and the challenges of dating relationships.

5 Ways to Help Your Teen Build Self-Confidence

If your teen is confident, they’re also more likely to be assertive, positive, engaged, enthusiastic and persistent.

1. Being involved in activities. Encourage your teen to try new opportunities whether it’s volunteering, sports, a musical instrument, choir, dance, clubs (chess, art, school paper, etc) or even a part-time job. Being involved in a new activity or even mastering it helps give them self-esteem to feel better about themselves. They not only make new positive friendships, it can make them feel more secure and confident.

2. Encourage positive self-talk. How your teen sees themselves can play a major role in how they feel about themselves. If they are always thinking or saying things like, “I’m so fat or ugly,” or “I have no friends,” they’re bound to continue to have these bad feelings. Teach them to develop healthy self-talk by pointing out how many of these thoughts simply aren’t true. Help them realize how being overly harsh with themselves is detrimental — especially when it’s not reality.

3. Teach assertive and social skills. If your teen feels anxious in social situations, they might need some guidance from you. For example, showing interest in other people’s activities and joining in conversations can help build confidence. An assertive teen will be able to ask for help when they don’t understand school work, rather than allow themselves to fall behind. To teach your teen to be assertive, begin by talking about the difference between being assertive and being aggressive. Let them know that being assertive means standing up for themselves using a strong and confident voice without being rude or yelling at other people.

4. Praise their effort, not the outcome. If an exam, interview or sports game doesn’t work out the way your teen hoped, try to praise your child for the effort they put into the activity, rather than the outcome. Instead of saying, “Great job scoring those five points in the game,” say, “All that practicing you’ve been doing has been paying off.” Show them that it’s important to try hard and it’s OK if they don’t succeed all the time.

5. Model confidence. Do you have self-confidence? It’s important to be a role-model of self-confidence. How do you face new situations and how you self-talk about yourself will extend to your teen. Talk to your teen about the difficult times you’ve been through and what you’ve done to build your own confidence. For example, you might talk about how you’re feeling nervous about giving a presentation at work. You could tell your teen that you’re practicing the presentation at home so that you’ll be well prepared and confident on the day.

Make confidence-building a regular part of parenting — this will help boost your teen’s self-esteem. Encourage them to join new clubs, activities and if they are old enough to get a part-time job — or volunteer, it’s a fantastic way to feel good about themselves. Help them set goals and then be their biggest cheerleader focusing more on their work rather than actual results. You will build their confidence and they will make better choices in life, even if they have a few setbacks. Confidence also builds resilience.

If your teen is still struggling in spite of your efforts with depression or anxiety that may stem from low self-esteem, you may want to talk to your doctor. It’s possible the low self-worth is a result of a mental health issue. With proper treatment, they can help your teen overcome these challenges.

Also read:

How Short Chats Build Strong Relationships

The Goal of Therapeutic Boarding Schools

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Are you struggling with your teenager? Have you exhausted your local resources? Therapy isn’t working? Learn more about the benefits of residential treatment for teen help.

Image provided by Pexels.

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How Social Media Is Affecting Your Daughter’s Self-Esteem

krischislett — Tue, 03 May 2022 13:38:38 +0000

Why does my daughter have low self-esteem? How social media is affecting teen girls’ self-worth.

Idealized Beauty Advice Online Is Diminishing Girls Self-Esteem: Study provides insights for parents to help their young tweens and teens.

Teens in the US are spending increasing amounts of time on social media. New Dove Self-Esteem Project research proves this to be true. 2 in 3 girls in the US are spending more than an hour each day on social media, which is more than they are spending in person with friends. Beauty advice fills their feeds, but unfortunately, it is not all positive. In fact, 1 in 2 girls say idealized beauty content on social media causes low self-esteem.

The Dove Self-Esteem Project research concluded that the majority of girls realize that less time on social media and taking control of what they scroll, is part of the solution. In fact, 7 in 10 girls felt better after unfollowing idealized beauty content on social media.

The Dove Self-Esteem Project is launching the #DetoxYourFeed campaign to empower teens to define their own beauty standards and choose their own influences by inviting them to unfollow anything that doesn’t make them feel good about themselves.

Through a series of films, educational content, and partnerships with inspiring voices, the campaign encourages necessary conversations between parents, caregivers and teens about the dangers of toxic beauty advice.

In a longform campaign film, Toxic Influence, moms and their teens engage in a dialogue around harmful beauty advice on social media. The film highlights dangerous topics like “fitspo,” “thinspo” and the promotion of elective cosmetic procedures to young girls. Moms who participated were surprised to learn that this type of harmful beauty advice has become normalized for their daughters. They were inspired to have the important conversations around what their daughters are seeing in their feeds.

“We’ve identified a clear problem that is eroding the self-esteem of our girls and needs immediate attention and action. We created this #DetoxYourFeed campaign to not only raise awareness around the insidious nature of toxic beauty advice, but to also help parents navigate tough conversations and empower teens to unfollow content that makes them feel bad about themselves,” says Leandro Barreto, Global Vice President of Dove. “While it may be a bit overwhelming at times, we hope it will contribute to important conversations that lead to a more positive experience for teens on social media.”

Parents Can Help:

80% of girls would like their parents to talk to them about how to manage idealized beauty posts, so the Dove Self-Esteem Project has developed academically-validated resources and tools to help parents navigate important conversations with their kids and empower teens to #DetoxYourFeed or limit the content that can make them feel less worthy:

“Detox Your Feed: The Parents Guide” – a three-minute educational film for parents, caregivers and mentors on facilitating conversations with young people about the harms of social media.
“The Confidence Kit” – free Dove Self-Esteem Project workbook and tool featuring a new section, “Detox Your Feed: Talking to Your Kids About Toxic Social Media Advice.”

Ways to Help Your Daughter Develop Digital Resilience

Resilience is key when managing their online life, and talking to your daughter offline about their online activity can help them emotionally as well has have a healthier relationship with technology.

1. Online is not reality. Stressing to your teen that not everything is real online can help take the pressure off of them. You need to remind them constantly of this. Filters are used frequently to give people that false sense of realty. This creates the expectation that people are primped and perfect all the time. An analogy to share with your daughter, is to explain a social feed like a trailer to a movie — they are only giving you the highlights (usually the best or funniest parts), then you go to see the film, and sometimes you are simply disappointed. Social media can be viewed the same way. People are only giving you their highlights. Being forewarned if being forearmed.

2. Social Media Envy. The compare and despair attitude is something that not only teens will take part in – adults do to. Majority of adults embellish online lives – they want to appear more than their offline lives – but they have the resilience and maturity to know better. WIRED Mag said that teens watch parents exaggerate their lives and boast about their kids – but will leave out the parts that are less flattering. This is where parents need to become more self-aware of their own online behavior.

3. Digital Detox: There’s no denying by taking time offline your teen will become less reliant on their social feeds. Parents can help. Research actually says that teens want boundaries. Give your teen screen time limits so they aren’t scrolling for hours and hours. Socializing in person helps your teen build compassion and empathy toward people. It’s eye to eye contact.

Share this PSA with your teen today and have a educated discussion about social media content.

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If you’ve exhausted your local resources for your at-risk teenager, contact us to learn more about residential treatment with behavioral therapy that could benefit your family.

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Helping Teens With Self-Esteem

krischislett — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 13:56:43 +0000

How can I help my teen develop self-esteem to make better choices?

Your teen’s self-esteem is an important part of their self-image. It helps them feel worthwhile and more confident in making better choices – especially when it pertains to peer groups or even deciding to skip school.

A healthy self-esteem doesn’t just happen overnight. It’s something that is nurtured and grown throughout a lifetime, and something that the important people in their life have a chance to help cultivate.

Here are some tips for boosting your teen’s self-esteem:

Avoid generic praise. Parents want kids to feel good about the things they do and to encourage them to repeat the types of behavior they value. So parents often say things like “Great job!” after everything from finishing vegetables at dinner to putting socks on in the morning to going down the slide at the park.

While generic congratulations feel good to a child for a short time, after too many times it becomes meaningless. In fact, congratulating a child for things that don’t require real effort can make a child lose trust in the parent’s honesty. Obviously this is an example for younger children – however the New York Time’s best seller by Jessica Lahey, The Gift of Failure, is an excellent example of over-praising a child and especially a teenager can actually hinder them, rather than help them.

Use specific praise generously. It’s helpful to a child’s self-esteem to hear from parents and other adults about their accomplishments, both big and small. Instead of using generic praise, let your child know how much you admire and appreciate his specific behavior. Phrases like “I appreciate your help with the housework. It means we have more time to go to the mall this weekend.” or “I’m so proud of how you tried new activities at school. It’s a great way to find out what your passionate about.” Will help your teen feel good about his abilities and choices.

Avoid negative labels. Most of the way we communicate with others is based in lifelong habits. Unfortunately some unhealthy habits may find their way into your parenting or care giving vocabulary. Labeling a child as being mean, lazy, uncoordinated or hyperactive, or calling him a whiner, liar or babyish can negatively affect his self-esteem. Children are sensitive to what the people they love think about them and words can have a huge effect. Choose your words carefully and talk about challenging behaviors or traits in positive terms.

Become a great listener. Giving your child your full attention and truly listening to what he is saying and how he feels is an immediate self-esteem booster.

When you turn off your phone, the TV and the computer and fully engage with your child it shows him that you really care about him and that you’re interested in what he has to say. That kind of undivided attention is rarer than it should be these days and will make your child feel valued and loved. In the same way – your teen need to turn off their phone and electronics to listen to you too.

Model healthy self-esteem. Your child looks to you for clues about how to think, act and feel. Make sure you’re sending the right message. Invest in developing your own healthy self-esteem and you’ll be on your way to helping your child develop it too. Have a positive body image, be confident about your abilities, and don’t let petty criticisms from the outside world make you feel bad about yourself and your choices.

If you struggle with esteem issues, talk about them with your child in an age appropriate way and show him the steps you’re taking to develop a healthy self-esteem. Showing your child that you’re not perfect, but that you’re working towards being better, gives him the freedom to accept his flaws too.

Teach problem solving skills. Teaching your child how to objectively assess a situation, brainstorm solutions, and put a plan into action is a proactive way of building self-esteem. Children who feel able to handle challenging situations, who recognize that when they get knocked down they can get right back up and try again, and who are confident that every problem has a solution have a strong sense of self-esteem.

Self-esteem is an important part of a child’s healthy emotional development. It acts like a suit of armor for your child, protecting him from many of the bumps and bruises that come with everyday life. It also gives him a strong foundation to build life skills on.

Also read:

How Short Talks Can Build Strong Relationships

Causes of Teenager Mental Health Issues

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If you are struggling with your teenager’s behavior and have exhausted your local resources, learn more about how residential treatment can help your troubled teen through emotional growth. Contact us today for a free consultation.

The post Helping Teens With Self-Esteem first appeared on Help Your Teens.

The Self-Love Workbook for Teens

krischislett — Fri, 15 May 2020 16:00:12 +0000

A Transformative Guide to Boost Self-Esteem, Build a Healthy Mindset, and Embrace Your True Self

By Shainna Ali PhD.

Discover how to change your attitude, build confidence in who you are, and genuinely love yourself through the guided activities and real-world advice in this easy-to-use, friendly workbook for teens and young adults.

As a teen, life can be stressful, whether from worrying about looks, performance in school, relationships with friends and family, or societal pressures. It is easy for you to lose focus and feel like you’re not good enough.

The Self-Love Workbook for Teens gives you the tools to conquer self-doubt and develop a healthy mindset. It includes fun, creative, and research-backed exercises, lessons, and tips, including:

Interactive activities
Reflective exercises
Journaling prompts
Actionable advice

Self-love is a journey, but it is the first step on the path to a happier, more fulfilling life.

About the author:

Shainna Ali is a mental health counselor, educator, and advocate. Dr. Ali is passionate about destigmatizing mental health counseling and helping individuals worldwide recognize the importance of fostering mental wellness. She is the author of The Self-Love Workbook: A Life-Changing Guide to Boost Self-Esteem, Recognize Your Worth, and Find Genuine Happiness.

In her Psychology Today-hosted blog, A Modern Mentality, she promotes mental health awareness in an effort to improve mental wellness across the globe. Dr. Ali is also an active blog contributor for the American Counseling Association and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. As a mental health advocate Dr. Ali has been featured in outlets such as ABC, NBC, Yahoo, Bustle, NPR, The Washington Post, and The Insider.

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If you are struggling with your teenager’s behavior and you have exhausted your local resources, learn more about how residential treatment can help your troubled teen through emotional growth. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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