Lesson Plan
Self-Care Superpowers
Students will define self-care, identify various self-care dimensions, develop a personalized self-care plan, and acknowledge their inner strengths to foster resilience and self-compassion.
This lesson is important because understanding and practicing self-care helps students manage stress, improve their well-being, and build healthy habits for life.
Audience
High School Students
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, individual reflection, and creative planning.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Self-Care Superpowers Slide Deck, Self-Care Exploration Worksheet, Pens/Pencils, and Art supplies (colored pencils, markers, magazines for collages - optional)
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Self-Care Superpowers Lesson Plan and all accompanying materials: Self-Care Superpowers Slide Deck, Self-Care Exploration Worksheet, and My Self-Care Super Project Guide.
- Ensure projector/whiteboard is ready for the slide deck.
- Print copies of the Self-Care Exploration Worksheet for each student.
- Gather optional art supplies for the project introduction.
Step 1
Introduction: What Are Your Superpowers?
10 minutes
- Begin with a warm-up question: "When you hear 'superpower,' what comes to mind? What are some 'everyday superpowers' we all possess?" (e.g., kindness, problem-solving, creativity).
- Introduce the concept of self-care as a personal superpower for mental and emotional well-being using Self-Care Superpowers Slide Deck (Slides 1-3).
- Briefly explain the lesson's objective: to discover and nurture their inner strengths through self-care.
Step 2
Exploring Dimensions of Self-Care
15 minutes
- Present different dimensions of self-care (physical, emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual) using Self-Care Superpowers Slide Deck (Slides 4-8).
- For each dimension, facilitate a brief class discussion or quick-share activity. Ask students for examples of how they already practice self-care in these areas or ideas for new practices.
- Distribute the Self-Care Exploration Worksheet.
Step 3
Personalized Self-Care Planning
15 minutes
- Guide students through the Self-Care Exploration Worksheet where they identify current self-care practices and brainstorm new ones for each dimension.
- Encourage students to think about realistic and sustainable practices.
- Circulate and offer support and ideas as students work.
- Transition to the idea of a comprehensive self-care plan.
Step 4
Introducing 'My Self-Care Super Project'
10 minutes
- Introduce the My Self-Care Super Project Guide where students will create a personalized self-care plan or artifact.
- Explain the project expectations and deliverables, emphasizing creativity and personal relevance.
- Provide examples of possible projects (e.g., self-care journal, vision board, digital presentation of a plan).
Step 5
Wrap-Up and Reflection
10 minutes
- Ask students to share one new self-care idea they learned or will try.
- Reinforce that self-care is not selfish, but essential for personal strength and resilience.
- Distribute a short exit ticket or prompt for reflection: "What is one self-care superpower you will nurture this week?"
Slide Deck
Self-Care Superpowers
Nurturing Your Inner Strengths
Welcome students and introduce the engaging title. Emphasize that self-care isn't selfish, but a way to build personal strength.
What Are Your Superpowers?
Think beyond capes and laser beams. What unique strengths do you have?
What helps you feel strong and capable?
Ask students: "When you hear 'superpower,' what comes to mind?" Allow a few responses. Then, "What are some 'everyday superpowers' we all possess?" (e.g., kindness, problem-solving, creativity). Transition to self-care as a personal superpower.
Self-Care: Your Personal Superpower
Self-care is any intentional action you take to care for your physical, mental, and emotional health.
It's about recharging and empowering yourself!
Briefly introduce the concept of self-care. Explain it's about actively taking steps to maintain our well-being. Share the objective of the lesson: to explore different ways to care for ourselves and create a plan.
Physical Self-Care
Taking care of your body so it can support you.
- Sleep
- Nutrition
- Movement
- Hydration
- Rest
Introduce Physical Self-Care. Ask students for examples they already do or could try. Emphasize listening to their bodies.
Emotional Self-Care
Understanding and managing your feelings.
- Journaling
- Talking to a trusted person
- Practicing mindfulness
- Setting boundaries
- Expressing emotions healthily
Introduce Emotional Self-Care. Discuss how acknowledging and processing feelings is crucial. Ask for examples.
Social Self-Care
Connecting with others and building healthy relationships.
- Spending time with loved ones
- Meeting new people
- Communicating effectively
- Setting social boundaries
- Participating in group activities
Introduce Social Self-Care. Highlight the importance of healthy connections and knowing when to seek solitude. Ask for examples.
Intellectual Self-Care
Engaging your mind and satisfying your curiosity.
- Reading a book
- Learning a new skill
- Solving puzzles
- Engaging in creative hobbies
- Visiting a museum or new place
Introduce Intellectual Self-Care. Explain that learning and curiosity keep our minds sharp. Ask for examples.
Nurturing All Your Dimensions
A strong self-care plan considers all parts of your well-being.
Which dimensions do you want to strengthen?
Summarize the dimensions and reinforce that a balanced approach is key. Transition to the worksheet activity for personalized planning.
Worksheet
Self-Care Exploration Worksheet
Everyone has superpowers, and one of the most important is the ability to care for yourself! Self-care isn't selfish; it's essential for your well-being. This worksheet will help you explore different ways to nurture your inner strengths.
1. Physical Self-Care: Nurturing Your Body
This is about taking care of your physical body so it can support you in all you do.
Current Practices: What do you already do to care for your physical health (e.g., sleep, eat healthy, exercise, drink water)?
New Ideas: What are 1-2 new things you could try to improve your physical self-care?
2. Emotional Self-Care: Managing Your Feelings
This involves understanding, processing, and managing your feelings in a healthy way.
Current Practices: How do you currently cope with stress, sadness, or anger? What helps you feel emotionally balanced?
New Ideas: What are 1-2 new emotional self-care practices you could explore (e.g., journaling, talking to someone, mindfulness)?
3. Social Self-Care: Connecting with Others
This focuses on building and maintaining healthy relationships and engaging with your community.
Current Practices: How do you connect with friends, family, or your community? What social interactions make you feel energized?
New Ideas: What are 1-2 new ways you could foster social connections or set healthy social boundaries?
4. Intellectual Self-Care: Engaging Your Mind
This is about stimulating your mind, learning new things, and staying curious.
Current Practices: What do you do to engage your mind and learn new things (e.g., read, puzzles, hobbies)?
New Ideas: What are 1-2 new intellectual self-care activities you could try (e.g., learn a new skill, visit a museum)?
Reflection:
Which dimension of self-care do you feel is your strongest superpower right now? Why?
Which dimension do you want to focus on strengthening the most in the coming weeks? What is one specific action you will take?
Project Guide
My Self-Care Super Project: Building Your Personal Wellness Plan
Goal: To create a personalized self-care plan or artifact that nurtures your inner strengths across different dimensions of self-care. This project will help you put your self-care superpowers into action!
Project Options (Choose One):
Option 1: The Self-Care Journal
- Description: Create a journal (digital or physical) where you outline your self-care plan. For each of the four dimensions (Physical, Emotional, Social, Intellectual), describe:
- Your top 2-3 chosen self-care practices.
- Why these practices are important to you.
- How you plan to integrate them into your weekly routine (be specific with days/times if possible).
- Include a reflective entry about your biggest self-care challenge and how you plan to overcome it.
- Deliverables: A well-organized journal with entries for each dimension, including specific practices, rationale, implementation plan, and reflection.
Option 2: The Self-Care Vision Board / Digital Presentation
- Description: Design a visual representation of your self-care plan. This can be a physical vision board (using images, words, drawings) or a digital presentation (using slides, a short video, or a mood board app).
- Visually represent at least 2 self-care practices for each dimension.
- Include short captions or voice-overs explaining what each practice is and why it's important for your well-being.
- Clearly convey the idea of nurturing your inner strengths.
- Deliverables: A creative and clear vision board or digital presentation that visually communicates your self-care plan.
Option 3: The Self-Care Routine Blueprint
- Description: Develop a detailed weekly or daily routine blueprint that integrates your chosen self-care practices. This can be a written schedule, a diagram, or an infographic.
- Map out specific times or triggers for at least 2 self-care practices per dimension.
- Explain the benefits of each practice within your routine.
- Include strategies for staying accountable to your routine.
- Deliverables: A comprehensive and practical self-care routine blueprint that is easy to follow and understand.
Key Project Components (for all options):
- Personalization: Your project should reflect your unique needs, preferences, and strengths.
- Clarity: Clearly present your self-care practices and your understanding of their importance.
- Creativity: Feel free to express yourself through your chosen format.
- Reflection: Show that you have thought deeply about how self-care builds your inner strengths and resilience.
Presentation/Sharing:
Be prepared to briefly share your project or a key takeaway with the class. We will discuss how everyone's self-care superpowers can look different!
Due Date: [Teacher to insert due date]