Chapter 2 Skills for a Healthy Life

Making Decisions and Setting Goals 0 As you grow older, you gain more freedom, but with it come more responsibility. 0 You need to understand short-term and long-term consequences of decisions you make 0 Making decisions and setting goals will help give you purpose and direction in your life 0 These skills will allow you to focus on the future as well as the present.

Making Responsible Decisions 0 Life is filled with decisions 0 You make plenty of them every day 0 Minor and major decisions affect your life in many ways 0 For example, what to wear in the morning 0 What to eat 0 Hoe to handle a situation

The Decision-Making Process 0 Is the process of making a choice or finding a solution 0 This happens everyday 0 Can you think of examples? 0 It is a series of 6 different steps

Step 1 0 State the situation 0 The first step in making an decision is to identify the situation 0 One useful approach is to ask yourself questions 0 What choice do you need to make? 0 Who else, is anyone, is involved? 0 This first step is important because it sets the stage for makaing a decision that will affect your health

Step 2 0 List the Options 0 Next, make a list of your options 0 It may be helpful to ask other people for suggestions 0 Make sure that your options are safe ones 0 Risking your health or the health of others is never an option

Step 3 0 Weigh the Possible Outcomes 0 Consider the possible outcomes, or consequences, of each option 0 One possible outcome of riding your bike without a helmet could be serious injury in the event of an accident 0 When weighing your choices, you might use the H.E.L.P. formula

H.E.L.P. 0 H. (Healthful)- Will my choice affect my well-being or the well-being of those around me? 0 E. (Ethical)- Will my choice show respect for myself and other people? 0 L. (Legal)- Will I be breaking the law? It is legal for someone my age? 0 P. (Parent Approval)- Would my parents approve of my decision?

Step 4 0 Considering Values 0 Values- the beliefs and principles that guide the way a person lives 0 Considering your values will guide you in the right direction as you make decisions

Step 5 0 Make a Decision and Act 0 Once you have weighed your options and considered the risks and consequences, you are ready to take action 0 Make sure that you are comfortable with your decision 0 If you are unsure about your decision, you should as tour parents or a trusted adult

Step 6 0 After you make your decision you should evaluate the outcome 0 Could you have done something different?

Setting Realistic Goals 0 A realistic goal is one that you can reach 0 For example, running a mile under 10 minutes 0 Goal setting, is the process of working toward something that you want to accomplish 0 What health-related goals, can you set for yourself?

Types of Goals 0 There are two basic types of goals 0 Short-Term Goals 0 Can be accomplished in a short period of time 0 Long-Term Goals 0 You plan for a long period of time

The Goal Setting Process 0 Just like making a decision, goal setting is a process 0 This process might be a road map to your accomplishments

Step 1 0 Identify a Specific Goal and Write It Down 0 Instead of saying “I want to be a better basketball player” 0 Try to make your goal more specific 0 Make the basketball team

Step 2 0 List the Steps You Will Take to Reach Your Goals 0 Achieving big goals can be easier when you break them down into smaller tasks

Step 3 0 Get Help and Support form Others 0 Identify people who could help you achieve the goal

Step 4 0 Identify and Overcome Specific obstacles 0 Sometimes, you may run into a specific obstacle that prevents you from moving forward 0 You might have to change something to move forward

Step 5 0 Evaluate your Progress 0 Regularly check to see how well you are progressing toward your goal 0 You can always change or adjust things

Step 6 0 Give Yourself a Reward 0 Celebrate your accomplishments

Lesson 2 Building Your Character

What is Character 0 How would you describe someone you know? 0 Character is the way in which a person thinks, feels, and acts 0 Character involves understanding, caring about, and acting upon certain values

Character in Action 0 Good character is not something you show only once in a while. 0 It is a part of who you are 0 By having good character, you promote not only your own mental/emotional health but the health of others

6 Traits of Good Character 0 Trustworthiness 0 Respect 0 Responsibility 0 Fairness 0 Caring 0 Citizenship

Trustworthiness 0 People who are trustworthiness are reliable 0 They have integrity- is the quality of doing what you know is right 0 Find a wallet? What would you do?

Respect 0 When you respect someone, you consider their feelings 0 Showing respect applies to yourself 0 Tolerance is the ability to accept other people as they are 0 Prejudice is an opinion or fear formed without having facts or firsthand knowlegde

Responsibility 0 Responsibility comes with accountability 0 This is the willing-ness to answer for your actions and decisions

Fairness 0 Fairness is a character trait leaned early in life 0 Sharing toys, being supportive, sports

Caring 0 When you care about others and yourself 0 Empathy 0 This is the ability to understand and show concern for another person’s feelings 0 One quality of caring is the spirit of giving

Citizenship 0 Citizenship is the way you conduct yourself as a member of a community 0 Always want to improve their surroundings

Lesson 3 Developing Other Health Skills

Skills for a Healthy Lifestyle 0 Will help you develop positive health behaviors to prevent injury, illness, disease, and other health problems

The Health Skills 0 Ten skills affect your physical, mental/emotional, and social health 0 These skills are for your entire life

Health Skills 0 Accessing Information 0 Practicing Healthful Behaviors 0 Stress Management 0 Analyzing Influences 0 Communication Skills 0 Refusal Skills 0 Conflict-Resolution Skills 0 Decision Making 0 Goal Setting 0 Advocacy

Accessing Information 0 You know how to find valid and reliable health information and health-promoting products and services

Practicing Healthful Behaviors 0 You take action to reduce risks and protect yourself against illness and injury

Stress Management 0 You find healthy ways to reduce and manage stress in your life

Analyzing Influences 0 You recognize the many factors that influence your health, including culture, media, and technology

Communication Skills 0 You express your idea and feelings and listen when others express thiers

Refusal Skills 0 You can say no to risky behaviors

Conflict-Resolution Skills 0 You can work out problems with others in healthful ways

Decision Making 0 You think through problems and find healthy solutions

Goal Setting 0 You plan for the future and work to make your plans come true

Advocacy 0 You take a stand for the common good and make a difference in your home, school, and community