Lesson Plan
Body-Mind Balance
Students will understand the reciprocal relationship between physical activity and mental well-being, identifying how exercise can effectively reduce stress, elevate mood, and improve cognitive function.
This lesson is crucial because it empowers students to take active roles in managing their mental health. By understanding how physical activity positively impacts their emotions and cognitive abilities, students gain valuable tools to cope with stress, enhance their mood, and foster overall well-being in their daily lives.
Audience
7th Grade Class
Time
50 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, practical activity, and personal reflection.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, Exercise Your Mood Slide Deck, Mindful Movement Worksheet, How Movement Helps Discussion Guide, and Reflecting on My Energy Journal
Prep
Review Materials
15 minutes
Review the Body-Mind Balance Lesson Plan, Exercise Your Mood Slide Deck, Mindful Movement Worksheet, How Movement Helps Discussion Guide, and Reflecting on My Energy Journal. Ensure all digital resources are accessible and ready for display. Prepare the classroom for group discussions and individual writing.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Brainstorming Connections (10 minutes)
10 minutes
Begin by asking students: "How does your body feel when you're stressed or happy?" Facilitate a brief open discussion, encouraging students to share their immediate thoughts and physical sensations. Introduce the concept that our physical and mental states are interconnected. Transition to the slide deck.
Step 2
Introduction to Body-Mind Balance (15 minutes)
15 minutes
Present the Exercise Your Mood Slide Deck. Focus on slides that introduce the scientific connection between exercise and mental health (e.g., endorphins, stress reduction, mood elevation). Engage students with questions from the slide deck to check for understanding and encourage participation. Emphasize that physical activity isn't just about physical health, but also mental well-being.
Step 3
Exploring Mindful Movement (15 minutes)
15 minutes
Distribute the Mindful Movement Worksheet. Guide students through the worksheet, explaining each section. Encourage them to think about different types of movement and how they might feel before, during, and after. Allow time for students to complete the personal reflection sections. Circulate around the room to offer support and answer questions.
Step 4
Discussion: How Movement Helps (5 minutes)
5 minutes
Facilitate a brief class discussion using prompts from the How Movement Helps Discussion Guide. Encourage students to share their insights from the worksheet and personal experiences. Guide them to connect specific activities with positive mental outcomes.
Step 5
Cool-Down: Reflecting on My Energy (5 minutes)
5 minutes
Hand out the Reflecting on My Energy Journal. Explain that this journal is for them to reflect on their own experiences with movement and mood. Assign the journal as an exit ticket or homework, prompting them to consider one new way they could incorporate mindful movement into their week.
Slide Deck
Move Your Body, Boost Your Mood!
How does physical activity make you feel?
Think about:
- Energy levels
- Stress
- Happiness
Let's explore the amazing connection between your body and your mind!
Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask them to think about how they feel when they're active versus when they're sitting still for a long time. This is a quick hook to get them thinking about the body-mind connection.
The Brain-Body Connection
Your brain and body are constantly talking to each other!
When you exercise, your brain releases special chemicals called endorphins.
Endorphins = Natural Mood Boosters!
They can:
- Reduce feelings of pain
- Create a sense of euphoria (feeling really good!)
- Help you relax
Explain that exercise isn't just about muscles; it's also about brain chemicals. Introduce endorphins as 'feel-good' chemicals. Ask students if they've ever felt a 'runner's high' or just generally good after playing sports or dancing.
Exercise: Your Stress Buster
Feeling stressed? Exercise can help!
Physical activity can:
- Reduce stress hormones like cortisol.
- Provide a distraction from worries.
- Improve sleep, which helps with stress management.
- Give you a sense of accomplishment.
Discuss how stress manifests physically and mentally. Then explain how physical activity acts as a natural stress reliever. Ask students to share examples of how they might relieve stress (e.g., listening to music, talking to friends, playing a game) and prompt them to consider if any involve movement.
Boosting Your Mood & Energy
Want to feel happier and more energetic?
Regular movement can:
- Increase energy levels throughout the day.
- Improve self-esteem and body image.
- Help you focus better in class.
- Lead to a more positive outlook on life.
Connect physical activity directly to mood improvement. Highlight how it can combat feelings of sadness or anxiety. Encourage students to think about how different types of activities might impact their mood differently.
What Counts as Mindful Movement?
It's not just about intense workouts!
Mindful Movement is about paying attention to how your body feels during activity.
This can include:
- Walking
- Dancing
- Stretching (like yoga)
- Playing sports
- Riding a bike
- Even just taking a few deep breaths and moving your neck and shoulders!
The key is to find what you enjoy!
Emphasize that 'exercise' doesn't mean becoming a professional athlete. Encourage a wide range of activities. Ask students what kind of mindful movements they enjoy doing. Introduce the idea of mindful movement – being aware of your body and how it feels.
Your Body, Your Mind, Your Well-being
Remember, physical activity is a powerful tool for your overall health.
It helps your body and your mind.
Let's explore how you can incorporate more mindful movement into your life with our worksheet!
Summarize the key takeaways and transition to the worksheet. This slide acts as a bridge to the next activity. Ask students to prepare for the 'Mindful Movement Worksheet' and encourage them to apply what they've learned.
Worksheet
Mindful Movement: Connecting Body and Mind
Name: _________________________ Date: _________
Part 1: Your Body and Feelings
Think about times you feel different emotions. How does your body respond?
-
When I feel stressed or worried, my body usually feels:
-
When I feel happy or excited, my body usually feels:
-
What are some physical signs that tell you how you are feeling (e.g., tight shoulders, fast heartbeat, light steps)?
Part 2: Movement and Mood
Consider different ways you move your body. How do these activities affect your mood and energy?
| Activity (e.g., walking, dancing, playing sports) | How I usually feel before this activity | How I usually feel after this activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | ||
| 2. | ||
| 3. |
Part 3: My Mindful Movement Plan
Mindful movement is about paying attention to how your body feels during activity. It doesn't have to be a big workout!
-
What is one type of mindful movement you enjoy (or want to try)?
-
How can you incorporate this mindful movement into your week? Be specific!
-
What mental benefit are you hoping to gain from this (e.g., reduce stress, boost mood, focus better)?
Discussion
How Movement Helps: Discussion Guide
Objective: To facilitate a class discussion that allows students to share insights, connect personal experiences with the lesson's concepts, and deepen their understanding of the body-mind connection.
Discussion Questions:
-
Opening Question: Thinking about the Mindful Movement Worksheet you just completed, what was one surprising thing you noticed about how movement affects your feelings or energy?
-
Connecting to Stress: We talked about exercise as a "stress buster." Can anyone share an example from their own life where they felt stressed, did some physical activity, and noticed a positive change? What kind of activity was it?
-
Beyond Endorphins: Besides endorphins, what other reasons do you think movement helps reduce stress or boost mood? (Think about distraction, routine, fresh air, etc.)
-
Mindful Movement: What does "mindful movement" mean to you? How is it different from just exercising? Can you give an example of a mindful movement you could do even when you only have a few minutes?
-
Small Changes, Big Impact: We don't all have to run a marathon to get mental health benefits. What's one small change you could make this week to add more mindful movement to your day?
-
Sharing Strategies: Does anyone have a favorite way to use movement to improve their mood or reduce stress that they would like to share with the class?
Journal
Reflecting on My Energy: A Movement Journal
Name: _________________________ Date: _________
Journal Prompt 1: My Go-To Mood Booster
Think about a time recently when you felt a strong emotion (like stress, sadness, frustration, or even boredom). Did you do anything physical to help you feel better, or did you wish you had? Describe the situation and what kind of movement (or lack of movement) was involved. How did it impact your emotional state? What could you do next time?
Journal Prompt 2: Exploring New Movements
During our lesson, we discussed many types of mindful movement. Is there a new activity you're curious about trying, or an old one you want to revisit with a more
Discussion
How Movement Helps: Discussion Guide
Objective: To facilitate a class discussion that allows students to share insights, connect personal experiences with the lesson's concepts, and deepen their understanding of the body-mind connection.
Discussion Questions:
-
Opening Question: Thinking about the Mindful Movement Worksheet you just completed, what was one surprising thing you noticed about how movement affects your feelings or energy?
-
Connecting to Stress: We talked about exercise as a