Taking Charge of Your Health. Lesson One: Building Health Skills

Transcription

1 Taking Charge of Your Health Lesson One: Building Health Skills

2 Health Skills Health Skills- Specific tools and strategies to maintain, protect, and improve all aspects of your health. Also called life skills. Communication Refusal Conflict Resolution Accessing Information Analyzing Influences Practicing Healthful Behaviors Stress Management Advocacy Decision Making Goal Setting

3 Communication Skills Communication is more than just talking, it is how you give and receive information. It involves carefully choosing your words and expressions to clearly say what you really mean. It also involves listening closely to others. Communication is a combination of: Interpersonal Communication Refusal Skills Conflict Resolution.

4 Interpersonal Communication The exchange of thoughts, feelings and beliefs between two or more people. Helps build strong relationships with others. You can strengthen your interpersonal communication skills by: Using I messages to express your feelings Communicating with respect and caring by keeping your voice calm and using a respectful tone Being an active listener which means paying attention to what the other person is saying. Let him say what he has to say without interrupting or finishing his sentences for him. Body language is an essential part of effective communication too. What does this mean? What are some examples of good and bad body language?

5 Communication strategies that can help you say no when you are urged to take part in behaviors that are unsafe or unhealthful, or go against your values. These refusal strategies can help you say no to potentially harmful activities. Refusal skills help you say no firmly, respectfully and effectively.

6 Refusal Skill Practice 60 Second Activity Face the person Stand up across from you The person who has a birthday closest to today is person A. Person A should make up a potentially harmful scenario. Person A should try to convince person B to participate in the activity. Person B should use refusal skills to forcefully but respectfully decline. After the scene is over, Person A and B should switch roles. Person B should then present a different scenario.

7 The process of ending a conflict through cooperation and problem solving. This skill can help resolve problems in ways that are agreeable to everyone involved. Conflict resolution skills include: Stepping away from an argument Allowing the conflict to subside Using good interpersonal communication skills Maintaining an attitude of respect for yourself Maintaining an attitude of respect for the other person

8 Accessing Information Knowing how to find and evaluate health information will help you make decisions that benefit your well-being. This is also know as health literacy. To decide whether health information is valid, you need to determine the reliability of the group or individual sharing the information. Some valid sources include Health care providers and professionals Valid Internet sites, such as those of government agencies and professional health organizations Parents, guardians, and other trusted adults Recently published material written by wellknown science and health professionals.

9 Analyzing Influences Why do you do the things you do? What influences your decisions and actions? The more aware you are of the various influences in your life and how they affect you, the better able you are to make informed choices about your health. Turn to the person sitting next to you. Quickly name as many things as you can that influence your health. Were the things you each named positive or negative? Do you have control over them?

10 Personal Values Things I think are important Likes and dislikes Skills and talents Personal Beliefs Plans for the future Goals Hopes and dreams Perceptions Behaviors that I think are common or accepted Curiosity/Fears Things that I wonder about Things that scare or frighten me Things I want to try Things I never want to try Family and Culture Beliefs, behaviors and habits Family traditions Food served at home Media and Technology TV and movies Magazines Internet Friends and Peers Behaviors and opinions of my friends and classmates School and Community Place where I live School I attend Air quality Sources of recreation

11 Practicing Healthful Behaviors Taking charge of your own health When you manage your behaviors, you act in ways that protect your health and promote your well-being. There are two self-management skills Practicing Healthful Behaviors Managing Stress You practice healthful behaviors when you make good health habits part of your daily life. Stress is the reaction of the body and mind to everyday challenges and demands. Stress management skills are skills that help you reduce or manage the stress in your life.

12 Managing Stress There are many things in life that can cause stress. School, teachers, tests, relationships, family, work, chores, pets, future, college, career, money, etc. Stress is normal, but too much can lead to illnesses.

13 Which stresses you out more? Having to take a major test that you did not study for? OR Standing in front of a class full of your peers to present a project? What are some healthy ways to reduce stress? Exercise Relaxation Listen to music/dance Get a manicure or pedicure Read a book Talk to a friend Go to church Bake cookies Take a nap Play a pick-up game of basketball

14 Advocacy Taking action to influence others to address a healthrelated concern or to support a health-related belief. Participating in a community event gives you the chance to encourage others to participate in health promoting activities. Obeying laws that protect community health and sharing health information with family and friends are other ways to advocate for better health.

15 Lesson Two: Making Responsible Decisions and Setting Goals

16 Decision Making We make decisions every single day. Some are small, some are life changing. Consider your values (your ideas, beliefs, and attitudes about what is important) which help guide the way you live.

17 Decision Making Process Decision Making Skills are: steps that enable you to make a healthful decision. When weighing the options for any decision, ask yourself these questions: H (Healthful) Does this choice present any health risks? E L (Ethical) (Legal) Does this choice reflect what you value? Does this option violate any local, state, or federal laws? P (Parent Would your parents or guardians Approval) approve of this choice?

18 Steps of the Decision-Making Process Step 1- State the Situation Step 2- List the Options Step 3- Weigh the Possible Outcomes Step 4- Consider Values Step 5- Make a Decision and Act on It Step 6- Evaluate the Decision

19 Goal Setting Goals- things you aim for that take planning and work. This is how we plan for the future and reach our potential. Short-term goals- a goal you can reach in a short amount of time. Finishing a paper by Friday, eating healthy this week, etc. Long-term goals- a goal that you plan to reach over an extended period of time. Graduate from HS, go to college, save $$ for a trip, etc. Action Plan- A multistep strategy to identify and achieve your goals. You can turn your dreams into reality by following the steps of a good action plan.

20 Short Term and Long Term Goals Watch the video Respond to the questions What short-term goals do you think students might set after spending time at one of these camps? What long-term goals do you think students might set after being at dentist camp or nursing camp? How can having a long-term career goal help you reach your short-term goals?

21 Developing an Action Plan Here are the six steps or stages of a well thought-out action plan for reaching goals. 1. Set a specific, realistic goal and write it down. 2. List the steps you will take to reach your goal. 3. Identify sources of help and support. 4. Set a reasonable time frame for reaching your goal. 5. Evaluate your progress by establishing checkpoints. 6. Reward yourself for achieving your goal.