10 Activities to Boost Self-Esteem in Teenagers 

Self-Esteem in Teens 

Self-esteem refers to how good an individual feels about themselves and their abilities. A teenager with low self-esteem might feel less than or insecure to their friends. 

How a teen may see themselves can be influenced by many things, for example: 

• Parental influence 

• Learning environments 

• Socioeconomic status 

• Physical disabilities 

Causes for low self-esteem in teens:

• Struggles to keep up in school

• Chemical imbalances or underlying health conditions 

• Traumatic events 

• Perfectionism 

• Learning difficulties or disabilities 

• Comparison to others 

Signs of Low Self-Esteem

Low self-esteem can come out in many different ways, but the main two are emotional and physical. Some of the emotional signs can be: 

• Feeling unloved, unwanted or worthless 

• Struggling to deal with frustration and anger 

• Avoiding a task without even trying due to fear of failing. 

• Quitting soon after starting a task

• Becoming controlling, bossy, and inflexible

Physical signs:

• Poor posture 

• Nervous habits like skin picking or fidgeting 

• Self-deprecating remarks 

• Avoiding eye contact 

• Excessive grooming or obsession with appearance 

10 Self-Esteem Activities for Teens 

While a teenager's self-esteem changes over time, having activities to boost their esteem is essential. Here are some activities to help build self-esteem.

1. Goal Setting 

Goal-setting plays a fundamental role in an individual’s personal growth and achievements. Setting goals with your child can encourage a sense of purpose and excite them to work toward something.

When teenagers achieve something, they get a much-needed boost of self-confidence and reinforce their capacity for action.

2. Volunteering 

Volunteering has apparent benefits for the community, but did you know it can also boost self-esteem? Teenagers who volunteer feel a natural sense of accomplishment, pride, and identity.

Volunteering can also combat depression. For example, working with animals has improved mood, reduced stress, and prevented anxiety 

3. Journaling 

Journaling provides individuals with a platform for self-reflection, allowing people to look back at their achievements and appreciate their experiences. Through journaling, teenagers can see how far they’ve come and grown.

Encourage your child to use their journal to:

• Explore their positive qualities

• Note their achievements and acknowledge their capabilities

• Write down daily positive affirmations

• Reflect on hobbies that make them feel good

• Combat negative self-beliefs

4. Positive Affirmations 

Positive affirmations for self-esteem speak for themselves. Teenagers can use them to reinforce their favorite qualities and good habits or to inspire them to improve an aspect of themselves.

Ask your teen to write positive affirmations unique to themselves. For instance, if your child is an athlete, a good affirmation might be, “I am hardworking and always improving at my sport.”

5. Skills Development 

Teenagers with low self-esteem struggle to appreciate what they’re capable of achieving. They can celebrate their progress and little victories by working on a particular skill.

Your child can develop a wealth of skills, such as creative skills (painting, playing an instrument, or creative writing), sports skills, language skills, or digital skills.

6. Physical Activity 

It has long been established that exercise boosts confidence. Why? Working out regularly can improve body image and benefit one’s mental health by releasing healthy neurochemicals in the brain.

Exercise can give teenagers more energy to pursue their goals and work on their skills by lowering the risk of depression, eliminating stress, and improving sleep. If your child isn’t used to exercising, start small with simple activities like short daily walks or yoga at home.

7. Creative Projects 

Creativity isn’t necessarily born from talent—it’s a skill teenagers can hone over time. Teenagers may not feel they are good enough to be creative, so reinforce that they possess a unique perspective on what creativity is and that they should value their ideas.

Encourage them to practice and learn, whether interested in writing, painting, or becoming musically inclined. Motivate them to embrace failures as learning opportunities that are mere stepping stones to success.

8. Socializing 

People are innately social—especially teenagers! When the right people surround teenagers, they become more emotionally fulfilled and secure within their relationships. Encouraging your child to meet with like-minded people can make them more confident in their skills and interests.

In addition, being part of a social circle enhances a teen’s sense of belonging and community. When they feel supported by their friends, they develop a greater life purpose and are likelier to make healthier choices.

9. Reading Books 

According to a study by Dr. Josie Billington, individuals who read for pleasure often have higher self-esteem, experience less stress, and have healthier coping mechanisms. But how? Reading broadens our horizons and asks us to see things from different perspectives.

Children learn what it means to be empathetic, tolerant, and curious as they read, improving their overall interpersonal skills. Should they want to explore topics directly related to self-esteem, they can explore our favorite self-esteem books.

10. Mindfulness 

Mindfulness trains individuals to observe and accept their feelings as they occur without reacting irrationally. The more teenagers practice mindfulness, the better they can manage negative emotions about themselves and others.

There are many ways teenagers can use mindfulness to improve their self-esteem:

• Visualizing positive versions of themselves

• Focusing on their accomplishments instead of their failures

• Recognizing an anxious mindset and challenging it

• Reducing insecurities over time

In the six pillars of self-esteem, mindfulness falls under the ability to live consciously and purposefully.

Help your child start their mindfulness journey with our DBT mindfulness exercises.

At The End of The Day 

Struggling with self-esteem is sometimes inevitable, especially for teens who are discovering their strengths and weaknesses for the very first time. Your child can blossom into a confident and well-rounded person by using self-esteem activities. Some teenagers are visual learners and prefer a helping hand as well.