Chapter One: Lesson Two Page 10 Skills for Building Health

Learning Health Skills Just as you learn sports, math, reading, and other kinds of skills, you can learn skills for taking care of your health. Using these skills will improve your health and wellness.

Accessing Information Sources of Information Parents, guardians, or other adults you trust Media sources such as TV and radio Parents, guardians, or other trusted adults This should be your first source. Other trusted adults can include teachers, counselors, and school nurses. Libraries Libraries have nonfiction books on nutrition, medicine, fitness, and many other health topics. Media sources TV and radio interviews with health professionals can give you information about current scientific studies related to health. The Internet The Internet has up-to-the-minute information from government agencies, universities, and healthcare providers.

Accessing Information You should find out if the health information you are getting is ____________. reliable Trustworthy and dependable Questions you should ask about your information source include: Is the author an expert on the subject? Does the author quote other people who are experts? Does he or she name scientific studies or other sources for the facts? Questions you should ask about Internet source of information include: Who owns or operates the Web site? Is the owner or operator a university, hospital, or government office? Who wrote the information for the Web site? If you are unclear whether a source is trustworthy, check with a librarian. ____________________________________________________________________________________

Self-Management Now that you are older, you make many decisions for yourself. __________________________________________________________________________________

Practicing Healthful Behaviors Exercise Regularly Eat Healthful Foods Drink Plenty of Water Get a Good Night’s Sleep Your heart and muscles will grow stronger. Your body will work more effectively. You will wake up with more energy. Practicing positive behaviors can prevent injury, illness, and other health problems.

Stress ____________________________________ Stress Management Stress ____________________________________ stress The body’s response to real or imagined dangers or other life events

Stress Management Positive Negative Makes you feel unsure about yourself Can make you lose sleep Can hurt you physically Helps you take action Helps you focus Positive stress might help you study hard for a test so you do well.

Stress Management ____________________________________________________________________________________ stress management Identifying sources of stress and learning how to handle them in ways that promote good mental/emotional health Adrenaline is a chemical that your body releases when you experience stress. Adrenaline makes your heart beat faster to pump more blood. It makes your lungs work harder to take in more oxygen. It also boosts the amount of sugar in your blood. This gives you more energy to deal with danger.

Analyzing Influences Understanding what influences you will help you make responsible choices in the future. Likes Dislikes Feelings Interests Opinions of others Media messages Influences Your decisions have more than just knowing the facts.

Interpersonal communication includes: ______________________ Communication Skills Interpersonal communication includes: ______________________ Speaking skills help you express your ideas and feelings in healthful ways. Listening skills let your understand the messages other people send you. interpersonal communication The sharing of thoughts and feelings with other people

Communication Skills Two important communication skills are: ________________________________________ ________________________

Communication Skills Words you use How you say words Posture When you communicate effectively, you can prevent misunderstandings. You can also support others when they need it. Posture Facial expressions

Conflict-Resolution Skills Because ___________ is a normal part of life, you need good ___________________. conflict A disagreement between people with opposing viewpoints, interests, or needs conflict-resolution skills The ability to end a disagreement or keep it from becoming a larger conflict

Conflict-Resolution Skills Conflict-Resolution Tips Take a time-out to let everyone calm down. Allow each person to tell his or her side of the story. Let each person ask questions of the other. Keep thinking of creative ways to resolve the conflict.

Refusal Skills Use ____________________ to help you avoid behavior that is unhealthy, unsafe, or goes against your values and beliefs. When you stand up for a decision you make, you also need to stand up for the values and beliefs behind that decision. This is especially true when you choose to avoid potentially harmful situations. refusal skills Ways to say no effectively

s T O P Refusal Skills Say no. Tell why not. Offer other ideas. To say no effectively to behavior that you don’t want to take part in, use the right body language and tone. For example, direct eye contact, a serious facial expression, and a firm but not angry tone of voice will communicate your message clearly. Offer other ideas. Promptly leave.

Decision Making and Goal Setting __________________________________________________________________________________ Learning how to set realistic goals is another step toward health and well-being. In the next chapter, you will find information that will help you develop your goal-setting skills.

Advocacy Working to bring about change involves the skill of____________________. advocacy Taking action in support of a cause Advocates may: Write letters to newspaper editors to call for change. Collect signatures from people who support a cause and send signatures to local government leaders. ______________________________________________________________________________