Humans are as alike as we are different. Everyone is distinguished by their own preferences, interests, beliefs, talents and character traits. We also differ in the way we look, from the color of our eyes to the size of the shoes we wear. And that's great! With our individuality and differences, each of us contributes to the diversity and variety of the world.
The way we look affects how others perceive us and how we perceive ourselves. It is characteristic of the teenage years that we become particularly sensitive and demanding about our appearance, and for this reason we always find flaws to worry about. We are either too tall or too thin, we find ourselves fat or we don't like our curves. Often, focusing on our flaws, we stop noticing our qualities. Our self-esteem begins to suffer, which affects our social activity and our relationships with others. This can cause us to wear clothes we don't like, subject our bodies to extreme diets, refuse activities in which our bodies are on display, or avoid socializing with peers who we believe are physically superior to us.
Sometimes we make fun of other people's flaws or treat someone with disdain just because they look a certain way, without realizing that doing so might hurt their feelings. Or vice versa – we admire or envy someone just because they look good.
Part of growing up is realizing that there are no perfect people. Don't be afraid to be imperfect and be proud of who you are. Learn to love your body as nature created it. Work on your confidence and mindset. Focus on what you like about him rather than his imperfections. If you think you're attractive, then others will think so too.
Of course, body care is very important. Our body is the home of our soul. And she will inhabit it throughout our lives. Therefore, take care of it - observe good personal hygiene, eat healthy, exercise, take time to rest, avoid harmful substances such as cigarettes and alcohol. This is the most direct way to maintaining a good appearance, tone, self-confidence and health.
If you are plagued by concerns related to your appearance or are looking for a way to improve it, talk to your parents or your GP. They can give you good advice.
Do not hesitate to contact the NATIONAL TELEPHONE LINE FOR CHILDREN by dialing 116 111 - free and anonymous! We are here for you. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Often times it all starts out harmless – diet, exercise, supplements. You see the results in the mirror, your self-esteem improves, but you continue to be dissatisfied and set higher and higher demands on yourself. Driven to achieve the dream image, you increase the hours of training, at the expense of meals and other activities. At some point, however, your body cannot withstand the load and collapses, betrays you, and you remain captive to disappointment and guilt for not having achieved what you desire so much. You feel like you've failed, but that doesn't stop you. And it all starts again...
In other cases, food is your only solace for life's worries and adversities. You start to lose control over the amount you eat. Food temporarily fills your emotional voids, but then leaves you feeling guilty, ashamed, and disappointed in yourself. You look for ways to get rid of what you have ingested, or you turn to food again to comfort yourself…
At the root of eating disorders are low self-esteem, difficulties in expressing negative emotions, abuse of psychoactive substances, an incomplete relationship with parents, traumatic and crisis events in the life history that the psyche cannot "digest".
Eating disorders are divided into emotional overeating, anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Very often, weight control shows our desire to compensate and control other areas of our lives where we feel like someone has taken control away from us and we have no control over our destiny.
Unfortunately, eating disorders are often not recognized as a serious problem, which is why they lead to serious health complications, which are not infrequently fatal.
Therefore, do not delay - overcome the worry and discomfort and seek advice from a parent, personal doctor, teacher or other significant adult.
You can always contact the NATIONAL TELEPHONE LINE FOR CHILDREN by dialing 116 111. Don't delay! We will listen and support you. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
One of the most important things for growing children and youth is to feel accepted, to be part of a community, a group, a company. To be part of a social circle that is different from the family one, where they can experiment, challenge themselves and discover new things.
It is in the pursuit of acceptance that we sometimes yield to influences that we would not otherwise listen to.
The situation with the use of psychoactive substances among adolescents is similar. Very often this happens, not so much because of the strong self-interest, but because of the fear of being rejected by the company, of being called "losers", "disturbed", "mommy's children who do nothing without the parents' permission". And such rejection can be very scary for a young child soul who is still exploring ways of self-expression and discovering the limits of her personal boundaries and possibilities.
It is important to remember that psychoactive substances (PAS) directly affect the central nervous system and change the perception, mood, consciousness and, accordingly, the behavior of the one who uses them.
Often, under the influence of PAV, it seems to us that we are happy, overexcited, we have an unlimited reserve of energy, our thoughts run very quickly and in different directions, but at the same time, if we have the opportunity to look from the side, we will notice that the movements of our bodies are uncoordinated, slow, undirected, and the way we speak words and arrange sentences sounds funny and incomprehensible. It is very possible that you have come across such clips on the Internet, which are distributed with the aim of ridiculing and humiliating the people filmed.
You've certainly heard that PAHs are addictive, but what does that really mean? This is the moment when our body has the physical and mental need for the substance we used. And when our body is deprived of it, a number of unpleasant physiological reactions begin, which are generally called withdrawal. Depending on the substance to which addiction has developed, the physiological reactions to withdrawal can range from emotional irritation and verbal aggressiveness, to severe and very painful muscle spasms throughout the body, dizziness, weight loss, panic attacks, including possibly to have a fatal outcome.
It is precisely because of withdrawal as a bodily reaction that many addicts fail to give up PAH use, despite their great desire. They simply don't have the strength to fight the body's response, and soothe these symptoms by supplying the body with the substance it is addicted to. And so the wheel turns in a vicious circle. Without realizing it, a person no longer thinks about anything else, except how to get the substance, so as not to experience the painful withdrawal.
If this topic raises questions for you, or you recognize yourself or someone you know, don't hesitate to contact the NATIONAL CHILD LINE by dialing 116 111. Don't delay! We will listen and support you. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
COVID 19
In the conditions of a pandemic, it is normal to feel worried, confused, even scared for ourselves and our loved ones. Keep in mind that if you spend a lot of time reading information on the Internet and social networks about the pandemic and the virus, it is possible that anxious thoughts and feelings will intensify, especially if you do not choose reliable sources of information, but stop looking at every written text and post on the subject. In order for us all to deal with the current situation more quickly, we will have to follow the general rules, namely to wash our hands regularly, wear a mask correctly in school and closed spaces, keep a distance and follow the other requirements that are announced by side of the responsible state institutions.
If you suspect that you have symptoms or have been in contact with a sick person, notify your parents immediately.
Above all, don't stop doing the things that make you grow and be happy. Don't stop communicating with your friends! And remember - online learning is not a joke, it's just a way to not lose knowledge while the state of emergency lasts.
If the pandemic makes you feel anxious, lonely and isolated, you can always contact the NATIONAL CHILD LINE by dialing 116 111. Don't delay! We will listen and support you. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!