Chapter 2 – Taking Charge of Your Health

Building Health Skills Health skills – specific tools & strategies to maintain, protect, and improve all aspects of your health

Communication Skills Interpersonal Skills (Social health) skills Effective communication involves not only making yourself heard but also being a good listener Interpersonal Communication – exchange of thoughts, feelings, and beliefs between two or more people Use “I” messages to express feelings Communicate with respect and caring Be an active listener

Refusal skills communication strategies that help you say no when you are urged to take part in behaviors that are unsafe or unhealthful, or that go against your values Say NO Explain why Suggest alternative Back it up with body language/Stand your ground Leave if necessary

Conflict Resolution the process of ending a conflict through cooperation and problem solving The key is to respect the other person’s rights as well as your own. Have the willingness to compromise.

Self Management (Mental & Emotional health) skills Stress - body and mind reaction to everyday demands; unavoidable; rechannel, relax, laugh Eustress – good stress Distress – bad stress Stress Management – skills that help you reduce and manage stress in your life

Stress Management Skills engage in physical activity Listen to soothing music Managing time effectively Taking a warm bath Laughing

Advocacy – taking action to influence others to address a health-related concern or to support a health-related belief

Making Decisions and Setting Goals Values – the ideas, beliefs, and attitudes about what is important that help guide the way you live Decision-making skills – steps that enable you to make a healthful decision

HELP Strategy Healthful – does the choice present a health risk? Ethical – does the choice reflect your values? Legal – does the option violate and laws? Parental Approval – would your parents approve?

Decision Making Model State the situation List possible outcomes Weigh outcomes Consider values Make decision and take action Evaluate decision

Setting Goals Goal – something you aim for that takes planning and work

Kinds of Goals Short term – goal that can be reached in a short period of time Long term – goal that you plan to reach over an extended period of time

Guidelines for Setting Goals Make sure that your goals are your own, not someone else’s. Set a goal because it will help you grow, not because you want to outdo someone. If you do not achieve your goal, use what you’ve learned to set a new goal.

Achieving Your Goals Action Plan – multi-step strategy for identifying and achieving goals Set a specific, realistic goal and write it down List steps you will take to reach goal Identify sources of help Set a reasonable time frame Establish checkpoints to evaluate progress Reward self

Being a Health Literate Consumer

Health Consumer – someone who purchase or uses health products or services Advertising – a written or spoken media message designed to interest consumers in purchasing a product or service Evaluating Products Product label Comparison shopping – judging the benefits of different products by comparing several factors such as quality, features, and cost

Managing Consumer Problems Understand the stores’ return policy BEFORE you make a purchase Read product’s instructions CAREFULLY Better Business Bureau (BBB) – handles complaints about local merchants Consumer Advocates – people or groups whose sole purpose is to take on regional, national, and international consumer issues

Government Agencies – protect consumers’ rights Malpractice – failure by a health professional to meet accepted standards Health fraud – the sale of worthless products or services that claim to prevent disease or cure other health problems Health fraud is often called quackery

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