15 Amazing Power of Habit of Reading Books

 

 ''A book is a gift you can open again and again''- Garrison Keillor

Did you Know?

In Iceland, books are exchanged as Christmas Eve presents, and then you spend the rest of the night in bed reading them and eating chocolates. The tradition is part of a season called 'Jolabokaflod' or 'the Christmas Book Flood' because Iceland, which publishes more books per capita than any other country, sells most of its books between September and November due to people preparing for the upcoming holidays. 

What are people who love books called?

Bibliophile or Bibliophillism is the love of books, and a bibliophile or bookworm is an individual who loves and frequently reads books, though bookworm is sometimes used pejoratively- Wikipedia.

Why is reading books important?

'' Whenever you read a good book, somewhere in the world a door opens to allow in more light''.- Vera Nazarian.

There are many kinds of books to read. They give us information, stories, thoughts, allow us to express feelings and many more. We have to start reading to experience the sheer joy of it.

It's amazing to know that words, paragraphs, quotes, imaginary worlds, and poetry are great for your mind and overall health. It's an everlasting form of information and entertainment.

Reading any kind of book (depending on your interest) gives you endless knowledge, develops your thoughts, and keeps your mind active.

It increases your thinking skills and you learn more vocabulary which is very important in learning any language.

Reading is a simple art. Once you inculcate this habit, you will never feel lonely and may never need any friends. Books become your best friends.

To sharpen your mind, increase analytic thinking, improve writing skills, and learn to imagine you must inculcate the habit of reading books.

Actually, in the olden days, reading was the only form of spending time productively and also the form of personal entertainment.

Benefits of Reading Books- 

1- Relieving of stress and tension- 

Studies show that reading reduces stress by 68% more than listening to music, going for a walk, or sitting down with a cup of coffee or tea. The beautifully written words can even decrease the anxiety level and you feel less burdened from the pressure of day-to-day life.

When you start reading, your brain immediately transports you to a different world and different people, which is a kind of relaxation.

Your focus shifts from stressful thinking to the words and storyline. Once this habit takes place in your life, you will feel energized physically, mentally, and emotionally.

''I have never known any distress that an hour of reading did not relieve''.- Montesquieu.

2- Your memory improves and you become more focused- 

Even 10 pages of everyday reading improves your memory power and teaches you to be more focused.
It's a kind of mental exercise and it stimulates your brain to learn more.

Nowadays, most schools have started reading comprehension to boost the student's analytic thinking memory function, and understanding of the language.

It strengthens your focus because once you start reading you become so engrossed that you forget everything around you. It may become an addiction, a good one.

3- You Gain Knowledge.

Reading fills your mind with information thus increasing your knowledge. It will always come in handy when you need it.

The knowledge you gain will help you to face the challenges life throws at you fearlessly and more efficiently.

Remember everything you possess- your job, your money, your health can be lost but the knowledge possess possess will never be taken away from you..

4-  Better Writing Skills-

From the start of your school education, you were asked to write essays on various topics. Here your reading habits can be a great help. The habit of reading should be inculcated from a young age.

As you grow up the writing style of other authors will influence your own writing to get improved. You learn how to write articulately by reading the work of other writers.

Reading gives exposure to other writers' styles, and their way of writing, and most importantly it allows you to better your own writing.

It helps you to make connections and emotions so you become a more authentic writer.

5- A Kind of Tranquility Descend on you- 

Reading books, magazines, and articles not only makes you relaxed, tension-free, and stress-free but also gives you immense inner peace and tranquility. 

It's proved that reading spiritual books will reduce your blood pressure and make your mind calm and serene.

It also helps people suffering from mood swings and mental illness. It refreshes your mind and keeps you in a joyous mood.

6- Reading helps with anxiety, depression, and Dysthymia ( persistent mild depression)-  

"Books are my happy place; reading is a solace when everything else feels scary. It's exhausting, but for myself and many others, it's the way it is". Unknown.

Reading helps to lower depressive occurrence. It can help with mild depression and mental illness.
Stories, novels, magazine articles- all this will help you to energize your mind. 

The stimulation of the brain is extremely helpful when it comes to calming your mind brightening your mood and making you happy.

Actually, reading can act as a pain killer.

7- It enhances your vision and imagination- 

Reading can enhance your imagination. From sitting at your home you can see the places around the world that you may not be able to see or visit.

The voracious reader knows the feeling of immersing themselves in the fantasy and imaginary world. This powerful imagination can help you in every aspect of your life.

'' Imagination is more important than knowledge. For a while, knowledge defines all we currently know and understand. Imagination points to all we might yet discover and create''.- Albert Einstein.

8- Reading helps you with your sleep- 

Of course, it doesn't help you in improving your overall sleep pattern and induces sleep. But even 10 minutes of reading will make you fall into deep, peaceful, and undisturbed sleep.

Reading books before going to sleep calms and relaxes your body and mind and it relieves your stress for the entire day.

9- It can Brighten Your Whole Day- 

 '' A book is a dream that you hold in your hand''.- Neil Gaiman.

Reading books can help with self-improvement also. It lifts your mood and spirit. Reading keeps your whole day energized. 

A good book and a hot cup of coffee or tea a great ways to unwind after a hectic work schedule The reading of a good novel allows us to forget about our day-to-day troubles.

10- Reading helps in broadening your mind- 

Reading books can change your perspective on life. You can have a vast knowledge of different types of cultures, people, and lifestyles around the globe.

You learn new ideas. You learn to let go of the notions of 'correct' and 'incorrect' and see everything differently.

Neuroscientists at Emory University discovered that reading fiction can improve brain function on a variety of levels. They found that becoming engrossed in the novel enhances connectivity in the brain and improves brain function. Reading fiction was found to improve the reader's imagination in a way that is similar to muscle memory in sports.

11. Books boost your memory.

Research over the years points to reading leading to increased brain power in several ways. Studies show that students who read regularly showed a greater ability to write more sophisticated sentences.

It's been proved that reading keeps your mind and memory sharp as you grow older. Your ability to remember things is one of the most important functions of your brain. 

The things you learn and experience are stored by your brain.

12. Reading books makes you more understanding of people, their culture and tradition.

Reading and knowing different cultures and traditions will broaden your mind and vision. It will reduce the prejudices and you become more tolerant towards other religions.

Research shows that even reading books like fantasy and imagining books like the "Harry Potter" series can increase cultural sensitivity. 

Books in any language will increase your knowledge and wisdom to keep on learning more.

13. Reading is a tonic that relaxes you.

Reading is the best way to wind up after a hectic schedule. A beautiful evening, a cup of hot refreshing coffee, and a book to read and you are in your best mood.

One study shows that stress levels were reduced by 68% after participants read for just six minutes- making it more relaxing than listening to music, drinking your favorite beverage, or taking a walk.

Researcher Dr. Lewis said in the 'Telegraph', "It really doesn't matter what book you read, by losing yourself in a thoroughly engrossing book you can escape from the worries and stresses of the everyday world".

14. Your brain gets exercised.

Your brain is the most complex organ. Most of us ignore when it comes to exercise for our brain until something really goes wrong. 

Researchers have found that reading every day can delay cognitive decline during our old age, keeping our brain younger, healthier, and higher functioning well into our golden age.

Scientists say that reading is among the most effective ways to keep your brain healthy.

.15. Reading increases your vocabulary.

When you start reading a book, you will find that some words you do not understand. What do you do? You try to look up the meaning to contextualize the sentence.

By doing this you learn new words and thus take a step to increase your vocabulary. You may not notice but continuous reading increases power over your language.

Once you have a rich vocabulary and command over your language, your communication skills will become better and you find a new kind of confidence.

Tips to develop the habit of book reading.

* Create a reading space-

Create a space where you are not disturbed or interrupted by people and other distractions. Take a comfortable and well-lit space and start reading whatever you are interested in. 

Even if the house is small and it's not possible to create a separate room, you can always find a quiet corner and start reading.

*. Limit screen time.

Today's generation is obsessed with mobile phones and TV. Instaed of spending or rather wasting time on these things, inculcate the habit of reading books. 

Believe me, you will not regret it. In fact, you will observe that you don't need anyone's company to enjoy your ME time relaxing and happier.

You can read anytime and anywhere. Nowadays audiobooks are also available you can listen 

*Set realistic goals.

You can set a goal of how many books you would like to read in a month. Though the numbers are not important, setting a goal will give you clarity of mind.

Begin with reading a certain number of pages per day and then slowly increase the numbers to complete one book in one month.

* Follow a daily routine.

Establishing a reading routine will give you an idea of reading books without skipping a single day. You can read a few pages in the morning, after lunch, or before bedtime. 

Consistency is the key to good habits.

* Choose engaging books.

Pick books that really interest you and make you an engrossing reader. The genre is not important. Some like to read fiction, non-fiction, some mystery novels, and some poetries.

The book should grow on you and most importantly it keeps you relaxed and happy.

* Join a book club or reading group.

Engaging in a discussion about the books you have read with like-minded readers will not only enhance your happiness quotient but also motivate you to read more books.

* Set yearly books you will read.

Once you start the habit of reading books, you will observe that you want to read more books. Decide how many books you want to read in a year. 

Set a target for monthly reading. This will give you an idea of which books you want to read, which books you want to read, and How much time you will devote in one day.

* Use reading apps.

If you are a voracious book reader, you can use some apps to read. They are more convenient and handy. Whether you read on your iPad or prefer Kindle ebooks, you will find an app to fit your reading goals.

Some free apps for reading books.

Goodreads.                                                                           Amazon Kindle

ReadEra                                                                               Kobo

Libby                                                                                   FBReader

Google Play Books.                                                            Scribd                                                                 

Aldiko                                                                                Oodles

(Source: Speechify).

Some of the great personalities are voracious readers.

1- Abraham Lincoln-  Despite having limited educational opportunities, he taught himself how to read and was known to walk a long distance just to borrow a book.

2- Theodore Roosevelt- According to many historians, Theodore Roosevelt was one of the most well-read men in history. He had a habit of reading a wide range of books.

3- Winston Churchill- He was a voracious reader who said that literature greatly influenced his political and world views.

4- Albert Einstein- There is a reason book lovers are often called Einstein. When he wasn't occupied solving the universe's greater mysteries, he let himself unwind with books.

5- Shah Rukh Khan- Known as a 'king Khan', he is a voracious reader. One can go on listening to his speech, which is full of humor, wit, and message. He said in one interview that his speeches are liked by people and the reason he reads a lot.

6- Jane Austen- Like her bookish heroine, Jane also is a lover of reading. She was a fan of Shakespeare and Milton.

7- Warren Buffet- According to him, his voracious book consumption has helped him make his greatest financial decisions. He famously said that the key to success was reading 500 pages of material every day.

8- Bill Gates- He is an avid reader and a passionate book lover. He wrote on his blog that books are the best way to explore new topics that interest you.

9- Oprah Winfrey- If you ever need a book recommendation, look no further than Oprah's extensive library. She encourages everyone to inculcate the habit of reading through her talk show.

Conclusion.

According to one website, reading books stimulates brain muscles and keeps the brain healthy and strong. The habit of reading is one of the best qualities that a person can possess. 

Books are known to be your best friend for a reason. So it's very important to develop a habit of reading books. 

Parents and teachers should join hands to inculcate the habit of reading books from a young age. Let us inculcate the beautiful and engrossing habit of reading a New Year's resolution and increase our brain power. 

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Amazing benefits of studying early morning.

 

"Every morning you have two choices: continue to sleep with your dreams, or wake up and chase them". -Unknown.

Early morning waking up helps you to get motivated, study productively, and overcome laziness and procrastination.

According to aakash.ac.in- the Morning brings more attention to it, and it helps the student recall what he has studied before. 

There are many benefits of studying early morning.

1. Enhanced concentration.

Early morning offers a pristine time for mental clarity and reduces diversions, enabling you to focus better on your academic pursuits and absorb knowledge more effectively.

After 7 to 8 hours of sound, undisturbed sleep, your mind feels refreshed and relaxed. You are full of energy and thus your brain is more active. So it increases the power of focus and concentration.

The natural light that the sun brings is good for your eyes and keeps you attentive.

Dr. Kharkate says, "Our mind is fresh and our short-term memory strong in the morning. Waking early morning to study and maximize your daily productivity makes it easier to concentrate in class". 

 2. Peaceful environment.

Early morning gives you a peaceful start with not many disturbances and distractions. Even in our scripture, it is said the early morning brings tranquility and calmness to our minds. 

In the early morning, serenity prevails as the world around you is hushed, fostering an undisturbed study atmosphere.

In the quietness of morning, you can cover more portions as you have a quiet mind and relaxed demeanor. If you are a morning person then you can study well and achieve more in the morning.

According to research, when you wake up early before the rest of the world wakes up, you have peaceful, moments for yourself and this tranquility energizes you.

3. Improved productivity.

Commencing your day with dedicated study cultivates a positive mindset and a sense of achievement. 

According to career360.com-Your bodies have an internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm, which regulates your sleep-wake cycles. It is during the morning that your alertness and cognitive functions tend to peak. This makes it an ideal time for studying, as your minds are fresh and receptive to new information.

The concept of beginning the day to study will boost your confidence as you are more attentive and focused.

5 Effective time menagement.

As mornings are quieter and you will have fewer distractions, your productivity will increase. You will be under control of your time and thus your life. 

Everyone has 24 hours then, how some people do more work and some feel time is not enough. Here efficient and effective time management helps you to work more in less time.

It allows you to prioritize your tasks and segregate important, urgent, and not-so-important tasks. Time management is an essential part of every work to be done.

6. Time for yourself.

When you start waking early, you can do more activities. Yes, but remember to have sound, undisturbed sleep of 7 to 8 hours. Apart from studies, you can devote time to your hobbies, Cleaning your desk, and also a room if you have a separate room for yourself.

Scientists also have proven the existence of sleep inertia. Immediately after waking up, you may not be able to start attending to your tasks. 

But changing your habits to better your life and get good results, will help increase productivity and higher energy level.

Engaging in morning study allocates time for academic pursuits before other obligations and interruptions arise.

6. Time for review.

When you wake up early, you have more extra time and you can review your lessons more accurately. Early mornings are refreshing and rejuvenating so you can revise and then review your study details. 

What you have completed studying and what remains is very important to keep remembering to have some idea about your lessons.

Morning study sessions offer a chance to review and reflect on the material covered the previous day, reinforcing your comprehension and mastery of the subject matter.

7. Cooler climate.

Early mornings are cooler and quieter. Cold weather stimulates your brain and motivates you to stay active. 

Cooler weather boosts your brain activity, improves your focus, and helps you think more clearly. In our country, the winter is cooler and gives you extra energy that brings a huge motivation to study.

Depending on your location, the early hours may provide a cool and more agreeable climate, contributing to a more enjoyable study experience.

7. Motivation.

The early morning study routine can kindle motivation levels, instilling a sense of purpose and accomplishment from the outset of the day.

Waking up early to have more time in hand it can motivate you as your day starts early and you don't have to rush things.

Every morning brings new hope, new faith, and new energy which motivates you to accomplish more. Take full advantage of early morning and stay motivated to conquer your desires.

8. Consistent study routine.

According to timesofindia.indiatimes.com- waking up early offers several benefits for students. It improves academic performance by increasing alertness and concentration. , contributing to better time management.

It helps establish a routine. Incorporating morning study into your daily schedule fosters a sense of discipline and consistency in your academic endeavors.

 9. Reduced stress.

Waking up early gives you time to plan ahead for everything. You don't have to rush through your day. Early morning gives a clutter-free mind thus reducing stress and tension.

Moreover, when you wake up early in the morning, you can do some stress-busting activities. As early morning becomes your rush-ree time, you tend to study calmly and peacefully.

You are better equipped to prioritize your work schedule. So it is completely pleasure and leisure time.

By studying early in the day, you can reduce procrastination and the anxiety of unfinished tasks. A headstart on your studies alleviates the pressure of impending deadlines.

10. Better brain function.

Research shows that those who wake up early have brain function, superior critical thinking, and good problem-solving skills. This also comes with a lot of positive energy and vibes. 

Waking up early improves your memory power focus and concentration thus it increases your performance in studies and other school activities.

According to pharmacy.in- As the brain is known to be more alert in the morning, focusing on important tasks earlier in the day would go a long way to make better decisions and it is also known to improve memory and concentration.

11. Improved academic performance.

According to timesofindia,indiatimes.com- Early morning study improves your academic performance by increasing focus, concentration, and alertness.

As mornings are quieter, and less distracted, a fresh mind and energetic mind and body lead to take more interest in studies.

This increase in studies with more interest and more attention brings good performance in class and thus your academic performance really shoots up.

12. Encourages healthy habits.

Waking up early sets the tone of inculcating good habits that help you increase interest in your studies. Early risers usually adopt good lifestyle habits. 

This benefits mental, physical, and emotional well-being. A fit mind and body bring a better life and thus interest in your academics.

Actually, better habits are better than any motivation because your good habits stay with you for your whole life.

13. Enhances creativity.

The trauility of morning stimulates creative thinking and problem-solving abilities making complex topics to understand better.

Students are more creative when they wake up early because they are also harnessing the dreams and goals that are occurring in that sleep state.

Studies show that students are more creative because their cognitive functioning is increased, thus leading to heightened creativity.

14. Sense of achievement.

Early morning gives you more energy and interest in your studies so when you complete a certain portion of your syllabus, you feel that you have accomplished something, and that keeps on motivating you.

Studies of any subject don't go to waste so you will be able to use your maximum talent and ability and thus feel a sense of achievement.

Success is always encouraging you to do more and more to give you another feather in your cap.

Now the question is how to wake up early?

Waking up early is everybody's cup of tea. Especially, late risers will find it very difficult to get up early. But nothing is impossible if you decide to start anew with more determination and willpower.

Here are some tips to help you wake up early.

*Avoid late-night snacking. Though studies have shown that late-night snacking may reduce your hunger pangs, some others are saying that it can cause less enjoyable symptoms such as acid reflux. 

Sometimes, you may be confused about whether you are hungry or tired. The best thing to do is wait for the next day's healthy, nutritious breakfast. This is one of the ways to sleep sound sleep.

*Place your alarm clock at a distance place. This will force you to get up from your bed. And you may wake up fully and start your chores.

* Keep your phone in airplane mode. This will stop the temptation of picking up. This will disrupt your sleep and the next morning you may not be able to get up early.

*Set a bedtime. Follow the schedule diligently and thus get enough sleep and alo wake up the next day fresh and energetic.

*Eat your dinner 1 to 2 hours earlier before sleep. This gives you time to digest your food. 

* Do not rush to wake up early. Start slowly to win the habit of waking up early. Get used to this and then change your timings to get up even earlier.

Conclusion.

According to betterup.com- Early morning waking up around 6.00 a.m. to 7.00 a.m., aligns with the natural rise of the sun and can promote a sense of well-being. Many successful people swear by the benefits of starting the day earlier.

Our ancestors also were early risers and lived content, healthy, and happy lives. Student are starting their life so inculcating good habits should be an essential aspect of their lives.

Researchers believe that waking up about 90 minutes before you start your routine can give you enough time to do an energizing morning routine and shake off sleep inertia and you will not have a hangover when you start your tasks.

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How to build self-belief in students?

 

"Low self-confidence is not a life sentence. Self-confidence can be learned, practiced, and mastered...just like any other skill. Once you master it, everything in your life will change for the better". -Barrie Devenport.

Building student's self-belief traits makes them happy and successful. Believing in themselves helps them recognize their capacity to complete challenges. Students who have low self-belief are less happy and perform poorly even when they have access to many good resources.

According to Walnut School- Self-belief and self-confidence help students to believe in themselves and their abilities, which can positively impact their academic progress, personal growth, and future opportunities.

Why is self-belief important for students?

Contrary to popular belief, intelligence is not the number one predictor of academic achievements and success. It's self-belief. 

The importance of self-belief in students has been demonstrated by several science-backed studies that have shown students with a higher sense of self-belief are more willing to challenge themselves and are ready to learn.

For students who have struggled with self-belief, the good news is that self-belief is not an inherent skill that we are born with. It is an art that can be learned. 

A sense of self-confidence is necessary for students to develop social skills, become more resilient and patient, and embrace their full potential inside and outside the classroom.

There are many benefits of believing in themselves for students.

1. Students have less fear and anxiety.

If the child always thinks about her/his mistakes, it may affect academic and social life. Children with higher levels of confidence can be healthier physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

It will help them avoid giving in to anxiety, stop overthinking, and use their full talents. They are more adaptable to change and are not worried about how others may perceive them.

2. Students have improved relationships.

Students who have a strong self-belief, suffer less from bullying or face peer pressure fearlessly. They are not people pleasers. They never complain and are empathetic towards others. 

They value each relationship - with parents, friends, and teachers. They understand that in every phase of life, nurturing every relationship is not only important but also essential.

3. They become more resilient and patient as they grow.

Self-belief and self-confidence give courage to handle setbacks, and failures more easily. They bounce back from their failures with new hope, new faith, and new opportunities. 

They learn lessons from every failure and setback. They accept that success and failure are part of two coins. So, success doesn't make them overly confident and failure doesn't make them lose heart.

They continue with their efforts till they achieve their goal which is to get good grades in their examinations.

4. They have a strong sense of their authenticity.

When a child believe in her/himself, they will have a strong self of self-worth and a positive self-image despite many mistakes made by them. 

They are ready to learn from failures, setbacks, and mistakes. They promise themselves not to repeat those mistakes. In other words, they always come out successfully from their problems. 

5. They will be more motivated.

Low self-belief will make the child believe that he/she is not worth it and will not reach their goals. They always feel that they are unworthy of reaching their dreams. 

These feelings stop her/him from keeping a high level of motivation and dedication. But if the child builds confidence over time, she/he will fearlessly move forward to accomplish her/ his goals. She/he will not stop her/his progress when going gets tough.

6. They have less anxiety.

Self-belief allows the students to free themselves from self-doubt and negative thoughts about themselves. They are sure of their talent and potential.

They become more fearless and so less anxiety and stress. It will help them in getting good grades and more importantly, get rid of social anxiety.

7. They become mentally fit.

Self-belief can improve the confidence of underachievers and enhance the performance of high-achievers. In the study conducted, learner's grades improved by 50%, and retention improved by 20%.

It is proven that low self-esteem can reduce the quality of a student's life in many ways. Most of the time they feel they do not have adequate cleverness and thus mentally they are stressed out. Confidence-building actions keep the students mentally alert and energetic.

8. It's key to success.

A student's life is full of activities and parameters. To balance these actions students need to be confident. This confidence comes from self-belief. It enhances their capabilities. 

The students who are confident shine brighter than those who lack self-belief. Being self-confident can lead to increasing focus and concentration.

9. It builds a strong mindset.

Believing in oneself makes the student stronger and they accept their mistakes, failures, and setbacks fearlessly. 

Let us agree, that, a student's life is not easy. They have to face many tests, exams, competitions, and complete projects in almost all subjects. Sometimes, they are sandwiched between parents and teachers. 

All of these make them overwhelmed. Self-belief gives them the courage to not get confused and try to overcome everything with a calm mind and relaxed manner.

Related post "It's not easy being a student".

10. The worst time is exam time.

During this time many students feel low and negative. They become stressful and a kind of fear sets in about the results.

But students with self-belief can cope with this with a mature mind and fearless mind. The negativity does not bother them and as a student, they can focus and take the exams with a clear mind and positive attitude.

 They accept that exams are part of their life.

11. It creates happiness.

Students who believe in themselves are happy and positive. Their body language shows their confidence and they become an attraction everywhere they go.

A student who is a self-believer also can look at any problem or situation from a different perspective.

12. It allows them to express themselves freely. 

Self-confident students express their opinions fearlessly, clearly, and without any hesitation. This makes them interested in their studies, 

 They are more eager to learn new things, develop new skills, accept challenges more boldly, and try to find solutions to any problem practically and with an optimistic approach.

As Marie Curie said every student should keep in mind. She said, " Life isn't easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing, whatever cost, must be attained".

How to build a self-belief in a child?

Building self-belief is in the parent's and teacher's hands. They should have patience and dedication for this work. It's not easy but it's possible.

1. Help them practice self-acceptance.

Here role of parents and teachers becomes very crucial. They should always encourage the child to understand and know their strength and weaknesses.

Never underestimate their abilities and capabilities. Make it very clear to them that their worth is not dependent on their success and failure. 

2. Set smart achievable goals.

Students should be taught to set achievable and manageable goals. When they want to improve their skills and want to understand their weaknesses, manageable goals will set the tone for a good beginning.

When they become comfortable with setting small and achievable goals, they will feel confident that accomplishing bigger goals will seem far less daunting and anxiety-inducing.

3. Focus on small achievements.

Sit down with the child and make a list of achievements she/he has already made. Creating and going through this list will encourage the child and he/she will become more confident.

It also gives him/her positive feedback and they get the motivation to accomplish what they really want in their life. They become more interested in studies and study with more focus.

4. Give them recognition and reward.

This is a huge moral booster for any child. If the child conquers even a small hurdle and tries to complete the goals, reward them with things they like and show appreciation. 

The reward should be useful for their studies. Taking them out for their entertainment will motivate them to accomplish more. 

Giving rewards and appreciating their work can help build their self-belief, self-confidence, and self-esteem.

5. Do not always find fault with them.

The saying goes that if you constantly criticize the child, he/she will not hate you when grows up but he/she will start hating themselves. Never bring up this kind of situation.

When parents and teachers always interrupt them, it creates a negative impact on their mind and this scar permanently damage their confidence.

They start thinking that they are not good enough and are worthless. They may even lose interest in life. 

Children learn with what they live. ( A beautiful message to all the parents and teachers). 

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.

 if a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient. 

If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.

If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate it. 

If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.

If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.

If the child lives with approval, he learns to like and love himself.

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.

6. Give them freehand.

Always let them decide and make choices about what they want to learn. Today, children have so many avenues and exposure that, they know what they want for themselves.

When you give them freehand to choose their intent, their feelings of self-worth and self-image get a boost. This experience also teaches them what is right and wrong for them.

7. Be a role model for your child.

Parents and teachers must show a positive attitude so that they can influence their children positively. Teachers and parents should always encourage them with positive talks. 

Both of them themselves have to be positive and avoid talking negatively. Especially teachers because children spend longer time at school. 

As the saying goes, "Students don't need a perfect teacher. They need a happy teacher, who is going to make them excited to come to school and grow a love for school".

8. Teach them to embrace a growth mindset.

As the child goes to higher classes, it's important to teach them to have a growth mindset. Having a growth mindset is believing that they can improve themselves with continuous efforts. 

They believe that hard work, dedication, and discipline can bring tremendous success. And for this, a growth mindset is essential.

Students identify the challenges that they have to face and overcome them fearlessly. Agrowth mindset makes them get good grades or marks. 

Instilling a growth mindset may seem daunting but teachers can start with small exercises to help them identify problems and help them overcome the problems.

9. Avoid peer comparisons.

This is very important. Every student is unique and any comparison will kill their enthusiasm and interest in studies.

They may start feeling inadequate and insecure about their own talent. This may hamper their abilities and capabilities. Teachers should compare the student's work with his/her previous work and see the effort the child has made.

The same goes for parents. Do not compare even siblings to one another. Self-comparison will help them to understand their strength and weakness.

Related post- "Advantages and disadvantages of peer pressure in students".

10. Encourage them to ask questions.

Developing students' questioning skills will make this is about allowing them to gain more knowledge. Actually, encouraging them to ask questions is about giving them an opportunity and tools to ask for help when they need it.

Dan Rothstein and Luz Santana from the Right Question Institute propose that teaching students to ask questions actually makes them more interested in their learning.

One survey of moms found toddlers will ask as many as 200 to 300 questions a day. Isn't that amazing! 

Studies have found there is a good reason for that- all those questions play a role in cognitive development. Self-belief-building activities for students.

Some activities to boost self-belief in students.

1. Roleplay- Playing real-life situations where the child has to display his/her confidence. This allows them to showcase their self-belief without any hesitation.

2. Teach them the power pose- Children who stand in a power pose feel confident in themselves and their self-belief increases.

3. Daily affirmations- Positive affirmations create a positive impact in everyone's life. Students should inculcate the habit of reciting or reading positive affirmations like-

1. I can do everything I set my heart and mind.

2- I have the confidence to be myself.

3. My biggest competitor is myself.

4. I never think of quitting even in my worst phase.

5. I am gifted with a high level of intelligence.

4. Teach new skills-Learning new skills encourages them to take the challenge to gain some more knowledge. This builds self-belief and they're more confident.

5. Public speaking- Students can gain confidence by speaking in front of a small group of peers.

6. Visualization- Students can gain confidence by visualizing themselves as a successful person. 

Bottomline.

Studies reveal that 95% of students experience a lack of confidence, self-belief, or low self-esteem at some point in their lives. This ties in with stress, peer pressure, and other insecurities most students face daily.

This can be improved with the help of teachers. Set achievable goals for your students. Recognize that every child is different and has different learning capabilities.

Setting realistic goals for them can help students see what approach or direction they need to take to complete their tasks. 

Once they accomplish their task, their self-belief will automatically score high. Self-belief cannot be learned from an institute or school. It's developed over time through different experiences. Teachers and parents have to tackle this issue with patience and maturity.

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Advantages and disadvantages of peer pressure on students.

  

  

 "If you associate yourself with peer pressure or complacency, you are destined for failure". -Kevin Gates.

(Names have been changed for privacy purposes).

Dinesh (age 17).

''I started smoking when I entered 10 std. I didn't want to but all my friends were smoking and they forced me to join them. I knew it was a bad habit but I could not resist. After two years of trying very hard to kick the habit, I am successful. I regret that phase of my life but with my parent's support I have quit smoking completely''.

Neha (age 15).

''I love to watch movies but was not allowed to. My parents considered movies as a bad influence. When I was in 9 std, I had a group of like-minded friends. We were boisterous, and vivacious and were enjoying life to the hilt. We started bunking classes to go to the movies.

Our attendance dropped and our parents were called. My parents were shocked and pained to hear the teachers. Because of the lack of focus on my studies, I failed.  That hit me very hard. It woke me up to reality.  I had wasted one year of my life.

Today, of course, the scenario has changed. I am an obedient daughter and a responsible girl. And I realized that succumbing to peer pressure doesn't give you any productive life. My sincere advice to all the students is, to think before you take any steps, otherwise, it may lead to destruction.''

Sania (age 16).

''I was always a happy child. I loved food, especially junk food. My favorites were potato chips and all kinds of Chaats. I never thought of my increasing weight. I weighed a whopping 90 kg. But that did not make any difference to me. My parents warned me to control my bad eating habits. My permanent nickname was 'fatso'.

I participated in a school drama competition for my annual day function. When I came on stage everyone started shouting fatso, fatso.  I was ashamed of myself. I went home and cried my heart out. My parents started working on my weight. With their guidance and support, I started my weight loss program. It took me a year to get back in shape. But it was worth it. My parents and well-wishers made me understand the importance of being healthy and fit. I am now happy at 50kgs. I also realized that weight is not an issue but healthy living is.''

The above examples draw our attention to how peer pressure can wreak havoc in the lives of students.

''You would have no peer pressure if you cared less about the opinions of others''.- Jeff Moore.

What is peer pressure?

According to Merriam-Webster- Peer pressure is a feeling that one must do the same things as other people of one’s age and social group to be liked or respected by them.

According to kidshealth.org- Peer pressure is the pressure to conform (to do what others are doing) can be powerful and hard to resist. A person might feel pressure to do something just because others are doing it. Peer pressure can influence a person to do something relatively harmless or something that has more serious consequences.

Peer pressure plays havoc in the minds of students.  Yes, peer pressure has advantages and disadvantages.

These days peer pressure starts as early as from the age of 7 to 10 years. Children are under tremendous pressure to keep up with their classmates. Social media adds fuel to this by posting the latest trends in every aspect of life.  Small children easily get influenced by all this. They want the same dress, same bags, same pencil box, irrespective of their price, the list can go on.

According to study.com- Peer pressure is a form of influence that causes a person to reconsider their beliefs and possibly change their thoughts and behaviors. This influence comes from a person’s peers who are typically the same age, go to the same school, work the same job, are in the same social circle, or have the same interests.

What is peer pressure in simple words?

Peer means belonging to the same age group or the same social group. The influence the peers can have on each other can be good or bad. It's not always negative but today's competitive world makes it challenging.

According to the Cambridge English Dictionary - The strong influence of a group, especially children, on members of that group to behave as everyone else does.

It's a pressure that children feel to behave in a certain way because their friends are expecting it. They get encouraged by them and even change their own attitude, values, and behavior, to keep the group happy.

 The negative effects of peer pressure may lead to do wrong things. The wrong temptations lead to a totally uncalled-for personality, imagination, actions, and inappropriate thoughts.

The children may not have the maturity to understand what is right and what is wrong. For them, everything seems to be fine.

Students go along with the expectations of their friends in the fear that they may be otherwise boycotted or bullied.

''Peer pressure is you put on yourself to fit in''.- Jeff Moore.

Children should be taught not to get distracted by unnecessary thoughts, actions, and beliefs. Here, the responsibilities of parents and teachers double up.

The children are at a very vulnerable age. These issues should be handled very maturely and intelligently. The situation sometimes becomes grim and children commit suicide to escape from bullying and pressure.

''Don't let anyone hold you back. Don't let anyone dilute you. Don't be peer pressured into being less than you are''- Steve Maraboli.

Peer pressure has advantages and disadvantages. Let us first check the negative effects of peer pressure.

1. Mental State-

 Peer pressure can have adverse effects on children. Keeping up pace with their peers and not being able to do it may lead to depression, extremely high-stress levels, negative thinking, and behavior issues. They cannot decide their course of life. To keep their peers happy, they don't think about the repercussions or consequences of their actions.

They always keep on thinking of pleasing their friends and become very tense and stressed. This affects them mentally and physically.

''Why fit in when you are born to stand out''. - Dr. Seuss.

2. Taking the Wrong Path-

To keep their friendship intact, children sometimes choose unwanted ways to satisfy their peer group. They may get influenced to taste the alcohol, which may turn into an addiction later, smoking, cheating in exams, lying, skipping classes, and many more. The result is incorrect ways to please the group.

This is because of the fear of going against the group or being excluded from the group. 

3. Low self-esteem and self-image-

The children completely forget about their individuality. They lose their confidence and have a very low self-image. Their only goal is to follow their peer group blindly and be a permanent member of the group.

This dependence on friends damages their self-image to the extent that it creates so much confusion in their minds, and they become puppets in the hands of their stronger and richer friends.

''Confidence is knowing who you are and not changing a bit because someone's version of reality is not your reality''.- Jeff Moore.

4. Spending Beyond Capacity- 

The peer group consists of poor and rich children. (poor children are added because of their good academic performance).

The children who cannot afford the lifestyle of their rich friends, start stealing money from their parents' wallets or start telling lies to their parents.

When they get caught, all hell breaks loose. The grim situation at home makes the child recluse and he/she is targeted by his/her peer group.

''A bad conscience is easier to cope with than a bad reputation''. - Friedrich Nietzsche.

5. Distance from Family and True Friends-

When the child enters the teenage stage, he becomes more conscious of his/her status. He/she refuses to go with the parents or other family members on most of the issues. In some cases, I have observed that children start thinking that their parents are their biggest enemies. This makes them to completely shut them off from their well-wishers.

Negative peer pressure tends the students to feel bad about themselves because they are not able to live the life their richer peers live.

6. Academics get affected-

They are so keen to please the group that their focus shifts from the studies. They stop taking interest in their academics and the result is, deteriorating performance. Some students find getting good marks is so 'uncool'.

So, to please their peers, they shift their interest to other unnecessary activities or get bullied for obtaining good marks or grades, they do not pay attention to their studies thus leading to a very bad impact on their academic results.

7. Self-harm or suicidal thoughts.

To go with peers and fit in the group, students lose their self-confidence and their self-esteem hitting rock bottom, they may go into a shell and may fall into depression, feel anxious, and in general lose interest in their own opinions, values, and life.

They become lonely and this loneliness might push the students, especially teenagers, to attempt self-harm or even commit suicide

Is peer pressure always harmful? No. There are some positive effects of peer pressure.

An analytic approach toward peer pressure can positively impact the student's life. There are always two sides of the coin.

How can positive peer pressure encourage students to become good individuals?

''Not all peer pressure is bad. If you have peers who are pushing you to go further in life and believe in your dreams, then you got it made''.- Jeff Moore.

The positive effect of peer pressure can influence the student's life in many beneficial ways- like taking interest in extra-curricular activities, liking the subject, participating in sports and games, good food, and proper behavior.

In a peer group, the child has a feeling of belonging, feels secure, and gets the support of his/her friends. The parent's and teacher's duty is to check who is there in the child's group and know about the set of friends in the child's life.

Supporting the child to recognize peer pressure and to check his/her activities is an important task of parents and teachers. Teach him/her to understand and choose the group that boosts their morals and not bring them down in spirit. They have to advise them not to lose their own identity.

Another effect of positive peer pressure is the reinforcement of good habits, behavior, and attitude. It may introduce the child to a new way of looking at life which gives her/him, confidence, and self-awareness, and creates a happy zone for them.

Some examples of positive peer pressure.

1-Pushing friends to study harder and being happy when they get good grades.

2. Disapproving of bad habits.

3. Saving them from falling into ad company.

4. Inspiring to make positive changes.

5. Sharing the knowledge.

6. Offering moral support.

How to deal with peer pressure- 

Do not get distracted by unnecessary thoughts or actions. Schools and colleges offer many activities like sports, Gaining knowledge, information, dramatics, and many kinds of extra-curricular activities.

Learn and be determined to participate wholeheartedly in them. You may feel lonely and separated from other students, but it's always better to be alone than to be in the wrong company.

 Maturely take peer pressure. It may sometimes make you tense and stressed out. You have to be firm and bold to face any kind of challenge. Never allow external forces to snatch away your peace of mind.

If you are confused, talk to your parents, friends, and teachers. Never, I repeat, never feel rejected, dejected, sad, insulted, and fall into depression. School and college life has its own charm. You are on the threshold of a beautiful journey, don't throw it, and don't let it go.
 
Find out true friends, not best friends. Understand the difference. The friends who either inspire you or are interested in your growth are true friends.

Stay away from the group which drains your energy away and stops your analytical thinking and judgment.

As famous celebrity talk-show host, Oprah Winfrey says,'' Surround yourself only with the people who will lift you higher''.

Make friends who accept you as you are, and not what they want you to be. Remember that you don't have to please every friend of yours. Friendship is being together, happy, loyal, and should have good faith in each other.

Take yourself, your self-respect, and your self-image to the point where your friends won't even ask you to do what they want. And, maybe they start following you. Yes, it can happen!

A good peer group can motivate each other. You can inspire each other to do something which will improve everyone's overall development.

You and your peer group can put pressure on, yourself to be honest, avoid alcohol, never to touch drugs, to be nice and respectful to every person. In general, do things that will make your and your peer group's life worth living and meaningful.

Here, I suggest parents please make time for their children. Let him/her feel secure support of his/her parents. Nurture and grow the relationship to a beautiful journey. Talk to them, listen to their talk, and be a friend, and guide, and prepare them to be confident human beings.

Peer pressure is a part and parcel of growing up. It teaches the child to be bold and take up any challenges courageously.

The right attitude of learning to take peer pressure positively can strengthen the child's character and the journey of student life.

Bottomline-

We all want to connect with other people. Man is a social animal. We all want a sense of belonging in our homes, workplace, and our community.

Peer pressure is often seen as an only a negative interaction, but it can also help you to be a good person with the good support of peers. It can help you to become a more patient, resilient, and emotionally flexible person.

It’s about the choices each student makes. It’s up to the student to find a group that helps you in building you up instead of tearing you down.

 

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