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Self-Care Challenge

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Lesson Plan

Your Daily Dose of Delight

Students will be able to identify and explain various self-care practices, understand their importance for overall wellbeing, and begin to integrate intentional self-care actions into their daily routines.

Learning self-care is crucial for middle school students to manage stress, build resilience, and develop healthy habits that will support their mental and physical health throughout their lives. This lesson empowers them to take proactive steps towards their own wellbeing.

Audience

Middle School Students

Time

50 minutes

Approach

Through discussion, interactive activities, and reflection, students will explore and personalize self-care.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Self-Care Is Not Selfish Slide Deck, Markers or pens, Self-Care Bingo Game (printed copies), and My Self-Care Style Quiz (printed copies)

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What is Self-Care?

10 minutes

  • Begin with the Self-Care Is Not Selfish Slide Deck and introduce the concept of self-care.
    - Ask students: "What comes to mind when you hear 'self-care'?" Allow for a brief class discussion.
    - Explain that self-care isn't selfish; it's about taking care of your mental, emotional, and physical health so you can be your best self.

Step 2

Exploring Self-Care Categories

15 minutes

  • Use the Self-Care Is Not Selfish Slide Deck to present different categories of self-care (e.g., physical, emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual).
    - For each category, provide a few examples and ask students to brainstorm more.
    - Facilitate a short group share-out of their ideas.

Step 3

Self-Care Bingo Activity

15 minutes

  • Introduce the Self-Care Bingo Game. Distribute copies to each student.
    - Explain the rules: students should mark off self-care activities they have done recently or would like to try.
    - Allow students to work individually or in small groups to fill out their bingo cards.
    - After a few minutes, ask who got a bingo and have them share one of the self-care activities they marked.

Step 4

Discover Your Self-Care Style

8 minutes

  • Distribute the My Self-Care Style Quiz.
    - Instruct students to complete the quiz individually to reflect on their preferred self-care methods.
    - Explain that there's no right or wrong answer, and it's about understanding what works best for them.

Step 5

Wrap-up & Reflection

2 minutes

  • Briefly recap the importance of self-care.
    - Encourage students to choose one new self-care activity they want to try in the coming week.
    - Thank students for their participation.
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Slide Deck

What is Self-Care, Anyway?

Take care of YOU!

  • Looking after your own physical, mental, and emotional health.
  • It's not selfish, it's essential!
  • Helps you feel your best, handle stress, and be there for others too.

Greet students and introduce the topic. Ask them what comes to mind when they hear 'self-care'. Facilitate a brief discussion to gauge their initial understanding.

Self-Care is NOT Selfish!

Why it's important to take care of yourself:

  • You deserve it! Everyone needs time to recharge.
  • Be your best self. When you're well, you can do more and enjoy life more.
  • Prevent burnout. Taking care of yourself helps you avoid feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
  • You can help others better. Just like putting on your own oxygen mask first!

Address the common misconception that self-care is selfish. Emphasize that it's about prevention and personal growth.

Physical Self-Care: Fuel Your Body

How do you take care of your body?

  • Sleep: Getting enough rest.
  • Nutrition: Eating healthy foods.
  • Movement: Exercise, sports, walking.
  • Hygiene: Showering, brushing teeth.
  • Relaxation: Stretching, deep breathing.

What else can you think of?

Introduce the first category: Physical Self-Care. Give examples and ask students for more ideas.

Emotional Self-Care: Feel Your Feelings

How do you take care of your emotions?

  • Journaling: Writing down your thoughts.
  • Talking: Sharing with a trusted friend or adult.
  • Mindfulness: Practicing meditation or deep breathing.
  • Crying: Letting out sad feelings.
  • Laughter: Watching funny videos, being with friends.

What else helps you with your emotions?

Discuss Emotional Self-Care. Highlight healthy ways to process feelings. Ask students for their ideas.

Social Self-Care: Connect with Others

How do you connect with people?

  • Friends & Family: Spending quality time with loved ones.
  • Community: Volunteering, joining clubs.
  • Setting Boundaries: Knowing when to say no to social plans.
  • Meaningful Conversations: Really listening and sharing.

How do you stay connected in a healthy way?

Explore Social Self-Care. Emphasize balancing social interaction with alone time. Ask students for ideas.

Intellectual Self-Care: Spark Your Mind

How do you keep your brain happy and engaged?

  • Learning new things: Reading, documentaries.
  • Creative hobbies: Drawing, playing music, writing.
  • Puzzles & Games: Challenging your mind.
  • Exploring interests: Visiting museums, trying new activities.

What helps your brain feel good?

Cover Intellectual Self-Care. Discuss how learning and creativity can be self-care. Ask for student examples.

Spiritual Self-Care: Find Your Purpose

What gives your life meaning?

  • Nature: Spending time outdoors.
  • Reflection: Meditation, prayer, quiet time.
  • Values: Living in line with what's important to you.
  • Gratitude: Thinking about things you're thankful for.

How do you connect with your inner self?

Introduce Spiritual Self-Care. Explain it's not always religious, but about finding meaning. Ask for student examples.

Time for Self-Care Bingo!

Let's play a game!

  • We're going to play Self-Care Bingo.
  • Mark off activities you already do or want to try.
  • See if you can get a BINGO!

Transition to the game. Explain that this activity helps them identify self-care practices they already do or want to try.

What's Your Self-Care Style?

Discover what works for YOU!

  • Now, you'll take the My Self-Care Style Quiz.
  • This quiz will help you think about which self-care activities you enjoy most.
  • Remember, everyone's self-care journey is unique!

Transition to the quiz. Explain that this helps them understand their personal preferences for self-care.

Your Daily Dose of Delight

You've got this!

  • Self-care is a journey, not a destination.
  • Experiment to find what works best for you.
  • Make self-care a regular part of your life!

What's one self-care activity you'll try this week?

Conclude the lesson by reinforcing the main message.

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Game

Self-Care Bingo

Instructions: Mark off any self-care activity you have done in the past week OR an activity you would like to try. The goal is to get 5 in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally)! Don't worry if you don't get a Bingo today; the goal is to think about different ways to care for yourself!


Take a warm bath/showerListen to musicRead a book for funGo for a walk outsideTalk to a friend
Draw or doodleDrink a glass of waterStretch your bodyWrite in a journalWatch a funny video
Meditate for 5 minutesSay
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Self-Care Challenge • Lenny Learning