Health

Chapter 2

Building Health Skills

Health Skills – or life skills, are specific tools and strategies that help you maintain, protect, and improve all aspects of your health.

Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal Communication – the exchange of thoughts, feelings, and beliefs between 2 or more people.Effective Communication:Clearly say what you mean.Pay attention to how you say something.Be a good listener.

Refusal Skills

Refusal Skills – communication strategies that can help you say no when you are urged to take part in behaviors that are unsafe or unhealthy, or that go against your values.

Refusal Skills

Say No in a firm voice.

Explain Why

Suggest alternatives

Use appropriate body language

Leave if necessary

Conflict Resolution Skills

Conflict Resolution – the process of ending a conflict through cooperation and problem solving.Take time to calm down and think through the situation.When discussing the conflict, speak calmly and listen attentively.Use polite tone and try to brainstorm solutions where no one loses respect.

Practicing Healthful Behaviors

Choices you make today will effect your health in the future.Eating nutritious food, getting regular medical car, and avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs will enhance your overall health.This will also build your self-esteem and help you have healthy relationships.

Managing Stress

Stress management – ways to deal with or overcome the negative effects of stress.

Reducing Stress

Physical Activity

Soothing music

Manage time effectively

Laughing

Managing Stress

Managing Stress

Analyzing Influences

Internal Influences

Values

Likes

Dislikes

Desires

Based on experiences and perspective on life.

External InfluencesFamilyFriends/peersEnvironmentCultureLawsMediaAs you become aware of these influences you will able to make better decisions.

Accessing Information

Learn how to find and recognize trustworthy information.Parents, guardians, other trusted adults.Library resources like encyclopedias and nonfiction books.Reliable internet sites, such as those posted by the government and educational institutions.Newspapers and magazines by health care professionals or experts.Government agencies, health care providers, and health organizations.

Advocacy

Advocacy – taking action to influence others to address a health-related concern or to support a health-related belief.Encouraging family and friends to practice healthful behaviors is one way to practice health advocacy.

The Decision Making Process

Decision Making Skills – steps that enable you to make a healthful decision.

Seek advice from those with more experience, such as parents and guardians.

Setting Health Goals

Goal – is something you aim for that takes planning and work.Short-term goal – goal that can be reached in a short period of time.Long-term goal – goal that you plan to reach over an extended period of time.Often short-term goals are steps to achieving long-term goals.

Achieving Your Goals

Action Plan – multistep strategy to identify and achieve your goal.Set realistic goal, and write it down. List the steps you will take to reach your goal.Identify sources of help and support.Set reasonable time frame for reaching your goal.Evaluate your progress by establishing checkpoints.Reward yourself for achieving your goal.

Building Character

Character – those distinctive qualities that describe how a person thinks, feels, and behaves.Good character is demonstrating responsibility, honesty, integrity, and respect.Practicing good character will guide you toward healthy, responsible choices.

Traits of Good Character

Trustworthiness

Respect

Responsibility

Fairness

Caring

Citizenship

Developing Your Character

Stand up for your beliefsLearn from people who demonstrate good character traits. Ask family members for tips on strengthening values.Join volunteer groups in your school or community. Form friendships with people who exhibit core ethical values.

Positive Role Models

Role Model – someone whose success or behavior serves as an example for others.They can inspire and encourage basic values like hard work, staying focused, planning ahead, being honest, and engaging in safe behaviors.

Demonstrating Character

Make a difference at home

Make a difference at school

Make a difference in your community