1. Promote self-acceptance and self-exploration

One of the fundamental pillars to improve self-esteem in adolescence is to promote self-acceptance and self-exploration. It is important that young people learn to recognize and accept their virtues, abilities and limitations. Encouraging the exploration of their interests, tastes and preferences allows them to discover positive aspects of themselves and strengthen their identity. By accepting themselves as they are, teens can develop greater self-confidence and a more positive attitude toward life.

Recommended activities:

• Diary self-exploration: writing about their thoughts, emotions, and experiences can help teenagers know themselves better.
• List of strengths and weaknesses: identifying their strengths and areas for improvement allows them to value their positive qualities and work on what they want to improve.

2. Promote assertive communication

Assertive communication is key to strengthening self-esteem in adolescence, as it allows them to express their thoughts, feelings and needs in a clear and respectful way. Teaching young people to communicate assertively helps them establish healthy boundaries, defend their rights and opinions, and improve their interpersonal relationships. Open and honest communication gives them the confidence necessary to express themselves and be heard, which contributes to strengthening their self-esteem.

Strategies to promote assertive communication:

• Role- playing: practicing assertive communication situations through role-playing games helps adolescents develop expression and listening skills.
• Effective praise: teaching them to express sincere and constructive praise promotes positive communication and reinforces both their own self-esteem as alien.

3. Promote self-care and body self-esteem

Self-care encompasses all those actions that contribute to the physical, emotional and mental well-being of a person. In adolescence, it is important to promote healthy habits that strengthen self-esteem and self-care. These may include a balanced diet, physical exercise, adequate rest, and taking care of personal hygiene. Likewise, promoting a positive and realistic body image helps adolescents accept and value their body as it is, keeping them away from ideals that are unrealistic or harmful to their health.

Tips to promote self-care:

• Creating a self-care routine: establishing schedules for rest, eating and exercising promotes the comprehensive well-being of adolescents.
• Promote body acceptance: talk about diversity of bodies and promoting a positive view of self-image helps prevent eating disorders and body dysmorphia.

4. Stimulate autonomy and decision making

Autonomy is a fundamental aspect in the development of self-esteem in adolescence. Allowing young people to make decisions and take responsibility gives them the opportunity to develop their identity, confidence and problem-solving skills. Stimulating autonomy implies trusting the abilities of adolescents, allowing them to make decisions in accordance with their age and level of maturity. This offers them the chance to experience the consequences of their choices, learn from mistakes, and strengthen their self-esteem through personal achievement.

Ways to foster autonomy:

• Delegating responsibilities: assigning tasks and allowing adolescents to make decisions about aspects of their daily lives helps them develop their autonomy and maturity.
• Support in decision making: offer guidance and support in the decision-making process Decision making provides them with the necessary security to face new challenges.

5. Provide positive and constructive feedback

Feedback plays a fundamental role in strengthening self-esteem in adolescence. It is important to provide young people with positive and constructive feedback that values their efforts, achievements and progress. Positive feedback helps them recognize their abilities and strengths, increasing their self-confidence and motivating them to keep trying. Likewise, it is important to offer constructive feedback that allows them to identify areas for improvement, without this negatively affecting their self-image.

Keys to effective feedback:

• Balance between praise and criticisms: combining recognition of achievements with suggestions for improvement favors a balanced development of self-esteem.
• Focus on effort and improvement: highlighting the learning process and personal improvement reinforces self-esteem and motivation of adolescents.

6. Encourage participation in meaningful activities and projects

Participation in extracurricular activities, community projects or solidarity initiatives can be an excellent way to strengthen self-esteem in adolescence. These experiences provide young people with the opportunity to develop new skills, gain knowledge, establish positive social relationships and contribute meaningfully to their environment. Participating in projects that they are passionate about and in which they feel valued can enhance their sense of self-efficacy and self-worth, thus strengthening their self-esteem.

Benefits of participating in meaningful activities:

< li>Development of social skills: interacting with others and collaborating on common projects favors social integration and the development of interpersonal skills.
• Sense of belonging: being part of a group or community gives them a sense of identity and belonging, fundamental for healthy self-esteem.