Self-Care: Your Secret Weapon

Kate Stein

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Self-Care: Your Secret Weapon

Students will be able to define self-care and identify at least three personalized strategies for practicing self-care to improve their mental and physical well-being.

In the demanding environment of high school, prioritizing self-care is essential for managing stress, preventing burnout, and fostering resilience. This lesson empowers students with practical tools to proactively care for their well-being.

Audience

9th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, examples, and a reflective activity.

Materials

Self-Care Slide Deck, - Self-Care Reflection Worksheet, and - Self-Care Challenge Cool Down

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Review the Self-Care Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
Print copies of the Self-Care Reflection Worksheet (one per student).
Review the Self-Care Challenge Cool Down.
Ensure projector/screen and computer are ready for the slide deck presentation.

Step 1

Warm-Up: How Do You Recharge?

3 minutes

Project the first slide.
Ask students to briefly think about how they recharge after a busy day or week. They can share with a partner or just reflect silently.

Step 2

Introduction to Self-Care

5 minutes

Use the Self-Care Slide Deck to introduce the concept of self-care.
Define self-care and discuss why it's not selfish but essential, especially for busy high schoolers.
Engage students with questions like, "What comes to mind when you hear 'self-care'?"

Step 3

Exploring Types of Self-Care

7 minutes

Continue with the Self-Care Slide Deck to explore different categories of self-care (physical, emotional, mental, social, spiritual).
Provide examples for each category relevant to students' lives.
Encourage students to share quick examples of what they already do or would like to try for each category.

Step 4

Self-Care Reflection Activity

10 minutes

Distribute the Self-Care Reflection Worksheet.
Instruct students to complete the worksheet, thinking about their current self-care practices and identifying new ones they could incorporate.
Circulate to assist students and encourage thoughtful reflection.

Step 5

Share Out & Discussion

3 minutes

Invite students to share one self-care strategy they identified on their worksheet or one new idea they found interesting.
Facilitate a brief discussion on the variety of self-care practices and how they can be personalized.

Step 6

Cool Down: Self-Care Challenge

2 minutes

Distribute or project the Self-Care Challenge Cool Down.
Explain the challenge and encourage students to commit to trying one new self-care practice before the next class.
Collect the cool-down slips as an exit ticket.

0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Self-Care: Your Secret Weapon

How do you recharge after a busy day or week?

Introduce the topic with an engaging question to activate prior knowledge and set a positive tone. Give students a moment to think or share with a partner.

What is Self-Care?

Self-care means taking intentional actions to maintain or improve your physical, mental, and emotional health.

It's not selfish—it's essential for thriving, especially when life gets busy!

Define self-care clearly. Emphasize that it's about intentional actions, not just pampering. Discuss why it's especially important for high schoolers facing academic and social pressures. Connect it to overall well-being.

Why Does It Matter?

Boosts energy & focus: Helps you stay sharp for school and activities.
Reduces stress: Gives you tools to handle pressure and feel calmer.
Improves mood: Regular self-care can make you feel happier and more positive.
Builds resilience: Helps you bounce back from tough times.
Prevents burnout: Keeps you from feeling totally exhausted and overwhelmed.

Explain the

Types of Self-Care

1. Physical Self-Care: Fueling your body

Sleep, nutrition, exercise, hydration, hygiene.

2. Emotional Self-Care: Managing your feelings

Journaling, talking to a trusted friend, practicing mindfulness, setting boundaries.

3. Mental Self-Care: Engaging your mind healthily

Reading for fun, learning new skills, limiting screen time, taking breaks from studying.

4. Social Self-Care: Connecting with others

Spending time with supportive friends/family, joining a club, having meaningful conversations.

5. Spiritual Self-Care (Optional): Finding purpose/meaning

Spending time in nature, meditation, reflection, creative expression (art, music).

Go through each type, providing examples. Ask students for their own quick examples or ideas for each category to make it interactive. Emphasize that self-care looks different for everyone.

Your Self-Care Plan

Now, let's think about what self-care looks like for you!

We'll use the Self-Care Reflection Worksheet to explore:

What self-care you already practice.
New ideas you want to try.
How you can fit them into your busy life.

Transition to the activity. Explain that the worksheet will help them personalize these ideas. Encourage honesty and thoughtful reflection. Mention that they don't have to share everything.

Self-Care: A Lifelong Practice

Self-care isn't a one-time fix; it's an ongoing practice.

It helps you stay balanced, happy, and ready for anything life throws your way.

Your challenge: Try one new self-care practice this week!

Conclude by reiterating the importance of self-care as an ongoing practice. Encourage them to see it as a tool they have to empower themselves. Introduce the cool-down/challenge.

Worksheet

Self-Care Reflection Worksheet

Name: ____________________________

Date: ____________________________

Part 1: What is Self-Care?

In your own words, what does self-care mean to you?
Why do you think self-care is important for teenagers, especially with school, social life, and other responsibilities?

Part 2: My Current Self-Care Practices

Think about the different types of self-care we discussed. What do you already do to take care of yourself in these areas?

1. Physical Self-Care (Body): (e.g., getting enough sleep, eating healthy, exercise, staying hydrated)

2. Emotional Self-Care (Feelings): (e.g., journaling, talking to a friend, deep breathing, expressing emotions healthily)

3. Mental Self-Care (Mind): (e.g., reading for fun, learning something new, taking breaks from screens, managing study time)

4. Social Self-Care (Connections): (e.g., spending time with supportive friends/family, connecting with others)

5. Spiritual Self-Care (Purpose/Meaning - Optional): (e.g., spending time in nature, meditation, creative activities like art or music)

Part 3: My Self-Care Action Plan

Based on what you've learned and reflected on, what are some new self-care strategies you could try, or existing ones you want to do more often?

One self-care strategy I want to try or do more of (from any category):
- How will I make time for this?
Another self-care strategy I want to try or do more of:
- How will I make time for this?
A third self-care strategy I want to try or do more of:
- How will I make time for this?

What are some potential challenges to practicing self-care, and how can you overcome them?

Cool Down

Self-Care Challenge: Your Next Step

Name: ____________________________

Date: ____________________________

Reflect on today's discussion and your worksheet.

My Self-Care Commitment:

What is ONE self-care practice you are going to commit to trying or doing more of this week?
(Be specific! e.g., "Get 8 hours of sleep," "Spend 15 minutes reading a fun book," "Talk to a friend about my day.")
When and where will you try to do this?
Why is this particular self-care practice important to you right now?

Remember, self-care is a journey, not a destination. Small steps make a big difference!