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Holiday Wellness: Plan & Outlook

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Lesson Plan

Your Holiday Wellness Plan & A New Year's Outlook

Students will be able to create a personalized holiday wellness plan that includes at least three self-care strategies and one wellness goal for the new year.

The holiday season can be a time of joy, but also stress. Learning proactive self-care strategies helps students navigate challenges, set healthy boundaries, and focus on their well-being during this busy time and beyond.

Audience

9th-12th Grade Students

Time

25 minutes

Approach

Students will brainstorm, plan, and reflect on personal wellness strategies.

Materials

Holiday Wellness Slide Deck, My Holiday Self-Care Plan Template, Grounding Technique Cards, My New Year's Wellness Goal Journal, and Pens/Pencils

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Review Previous Concepts (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Display the first slide of the Holiday Wellness Slide Deck.
  • Ask students: "What does 'wellness' mean to you, especially during busy times?" (2 minutes)
  • Facilitate a brief class discussion, inviting students to share their initial thoughts and any previous self-care strategies they've used. (3 minutes)

Step 2

Brainstorm Self-Care Strategies & Introduce Template (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Transition to the next slide of the Holiday Wellness Slide Deck and introduce the concept of proactive self-care for the holidays. (2 minutes)
  • Distribute My Holiday Self-Care Plan Template. Explain that this template will help them create a personalized 'Holiday Wellness Plan'. (1 minute)
  • In small groups (2-3 students), have them brainstorm various self-care strategies related to the key concepts: proactive self-care, setting boundaries, mindfulness, and planning for joy/rest. Encourage them to think about physical, mental, and emotional well-being. (5 minutes)
  • Bring the class back together and have groups share 1-2 strategies. As they share, guide students to start filling out the 'Self-Care Strategies' section of their My Holiday Self-Care Plan Template. (2 minutes)

Step 3

Assemble the 'Survival Kit' with Grounding Techniques (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Explain that a 'Holiday Wellness Survival Kit' includes tools to help them when things get overwhelming. Introduce mindfulness and grounding techniques as powerful tools. (1 minute)
  • Distribute the Grounding Technique Cards to each small group. Have them review the cards and discuss how these techniques could be used during stressful holiday moments. (2 minutes)
  • Guide students to choose at least one grounding technique to include in their 'Self-Care Strategies' section on their My Holiday Self-Care Plan Template. (2 minutes)

Step 4

Share & Look Ahead: New Year's Outlook (5 minutes)

5 minutes

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Slide Deck

Your Holiday Wellness Plan & A New Year's Outlook

How do you define 'wellness,' especially during busy times like the holidays?

Welcome students and set a positive, reflective tone. Introduce the topic of holiday wellness and ask an open-ended question to engage them and activate prior knowledge. Encourage sharing.

Proactive Self-Care: Your Holiday Superpower

The holidays are coming! 🎉

They can be fun, but also... a lot!

What's 'proactive self-care'?
It's planning ahead to take care of YOU, so you can enjoy the season without getting overwhelmed.

Today, we'll build your Personalized Holiday Wellness Plan.

Introduce the idea that the holidays can be both joyful and challenging. Emphasize that proactive self-care isn't selfish, but essential. Explain the 'Holiday Wellness Plan' concept.

Setting Personal Boundaries

The holidays often mean more interactions, events, and expectations.

What are boundaries?

  • Your personal limits – physical, emotional, mental.
  • Saying 'no' to protect your time and energy.
  • Communicating your needs clearly and respectfully.

Why are they important?
Boundaries help you prevent burnout and enjoy your time more!

Explain the concept of healthy boundaries and why they are important during the holidays. Provide examples and encourage students to think about their own boundaries.

Mindfulness & Grounding Techniques

Sometimes, holiday stress sneaks up on us!

Mindfulness: Being present in the moment, noticing your thoughts and feelings without judgment.

Grounding Techniques: Simple exercises to bring you back to the present when you feel overwhelmed.

These are your 'in-the-moment' stressbusters!

Introduce mindfulness and grounding techniques as practical tools for managing stress in the moment. Explain what they are and why they work. Briefly introduce the 'Grounding Technique Cards'.

Planning for Joy & Rest

Self-care isn't just about avoiding stress; it's about intentionally adding joy and rest!

Think about:

  • What activities truly recharge you?
  • What brings you genuine happiness?
  • How can you schedule in time for these things?

This is your time to create moments that nourish your soul.

Shift focus to actively planning for positive experiences. Encourage students to think about what genuinely brings them joy and rest, not just what they 'should' do.

Looking Ahead: Your New Year's Wellness Goal

As the holidays wrap up, it's a great time to think about the year ahead.

Wellness is an ongoing journey!

What's one small, actionable wellness goal you can set for yourself in the new year?

This isn't about grand resolutions, but sustainable steps towards a healthier, happier you.

Wrap up the holiday planning and transition to the New Year's goal setting. Emphasize that wellness is an ongoing journey.

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