Why Bother? Unpacking the Myths of Self-Care

Diane Celona

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Why Bother? Unpacking the Myths of Self-Care

Students will be able to define self-care and explain its importance for managing stress and achieving personal goals.

Understanding self-care is crucial for high school students facing academic pressure, social challenges, and future uncertainties. This lesson helps them develop essential coping mechanisms and promotes long-term well-being.

Audience

12th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through discussion, direct instruction, and an interactive activity, students will clarify self-care.

Materials

Slide Deck: Unpacking Self-Care Myths, and - Activity: Self-Care Myth or Fact?

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Review the Slide Deck: Unpacking Self-Care Myths and lesson plan.
- Print copies of the Activity: Self-Care Myth or Fact? (one per student or pair).
- Ensure projector/screen is set up for the slide deck.

Step 1

Connect: Hook with a Relatable Scenario

5 minutes

Begin by presenting a relatable scenario to the students, perhaps about feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Ask students to briefly share their initial reactions or strategies they've tried (if any).
- Refer to Slide Deck: Unpacking Self-Care Myths - Slide 1-2

Step 2

Learn: Introduce and Define Key Concepts

10 minutes

Introduce the concept of self-care, defining it beyond common misconceptions. Discuss its importance for stress management and achieving personal well-being. Briefly address common myths.
- Refer to Slide Deck: Unpacking Self-Care Myths - Slide 3-5

Step 3

Practice: Self-Care Myth or Fact Activity

10 minutes

Distribute the Activity: Self-Care Myth or Fact? worksheet. Have students work individually or in pairs to determine if statements about self-care are myths or facts. Facilitate a brief class discussion to review answers and clarify understandings.
- Refer to Activity: Self-Care Myth or Fact?

Step 4

Reflect: Discuss and Share Takeaways

5 minutes

Lead a brief discussion on student takeaways. Ask questions like: 'What was surprising about self-care?' or 'How can you apply self-care to your own life?'
- Refer to Slide Deck: Unpacking Self-Care Myths - Slide 6

0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Feeling Overwhelmed?

We've all been there.

Exams looming?
Too many commitments?
Social pressures?
Future uncertainties?

How do these feelings impact your day-to-day life?

Welcome students and get them thinking about stress. Introduce the idea that we all face overwhelming moments.

What Do You Do?

When things get tough, how do you usually cope?

Ignore it?
Push through?
Take a break?
Talk to someone?

Prompt students to consider how they typically respond to stress. Briefly discuss their initial, unfiltered thoughts before introducing self-care.

What is Self-Care?

More than just bubble baths!

Self-care is any intentional action you take to care for your physical, mental, and emotional health.

It's NOT selfish: It helps you show up better for yourself and others.
It's NOT a luxury: It's essential for preventing burnout and maintaining health.
It's NOT always easy: It requires conscious effort and planning.

Introduce the core definition of self-care, dispelling common myths that it's selfish or purely indulgent. Emphasize its role in overall well-being and productivity.

Why Bother with Self-Care?

Your well-being is your superpower!

Stress Management: Helps you handle pressure without breaking down.
Improved Focus: A clear mind leads to better learning.
Boosted Mood: Reduces anxiety and increases happiness.
Goal Achievement: When you feel good, you perform better.

Explain why self-care is important for this age group, connecting it to stress management and achieving academic/personal goals. Give concrete examples.

Self-Care: Myth or Fact?

Let's test your knowledge!

We're going to look at some statements about self-care.

Your task: Decide if each statement is a MYTH or a FACT.

Briefly set up the 'Myth or Fact' activity, letting students know they'll be exploring common beliefs about self-care.

Your Self-Care Journey

What's one thing you learned today about self-care?

How might you incorporate self-care into your routine?

Remember: Self-care is personal and can be simple!

Conclude by inviting students to share their main takeaways and encouraging them to think about how they can integrate self-care into their daily lives. Emphasize that self-care looks different for everyone.

Activity

Self-Care: Myth or Fact?

Read each statement below and decide if it is a MYTH (something commonly believed but untrue) or a FACT (something true and supported). Circle your answer.

Statement: Self-care is selfish and means you don't care about others.
MYTH or FACT
Statement: Self-care always involves expensive spa treatments or vacations.
MYTH or FACT
Statement: Only people who are overwhelmed or stressed need self-care.
MYTH or FACT
Statement: Self-care can include simple daily habits like getting enough sleep or drinking water.
MYTH or FACT
Statement: Once you start practicing self-care, you'll never feel stressed again.
MYTH or FACT
Statement: Self-care helps you to be a more effective student, friend, and family member.
MYTH or FACT
Statement: Ignoring your needs and pushing through exhaustion is a sign of strength.
MYTH or FACT
Statement: Self-care is a one-time fix; you don't need to practice it regularly.
MYTH or FACT
Statement: Setting boundaries with friends or family is a form of self-care.
MYTH or FACT
Statement: Self-care means always doing what feels good in the moment, even if it's unhealthy long-term.
MYTH or FACT

Answer Key

Self-Care: Myth or Fact? Answer Key

Here are the answers and explanations for the Self-Care Myth or Fact activity.

Statement: Self-care is selfish and means you don't care about others.
Answer: MYTH
Explanation: Self-care allows you to recharge and be healthier, which enables you to support others more effectively. You can't pour from an empty cup.
Statement: Self-care always involves expensive spa treatments or vacations.
Answer: MYTH
Explanation: Self-care can be free or low-cost, like taking a walk, reading a book, meditating, or spending time in nature. It's about intentional actions, not cost.
Statement: Only people who are overwhelmed or stressed need self-care.
Answer: MYTH
Explanation: Self-care is a proactive practice for everyone, not just a reactive measure for when you're burnt out. Regular self-care can prevent you from becoming overwhelmed in the first place.
Statement: Self-care can include simple daily habits like getting enough sleep or drinking water.
Answer: FACT
Explanation: Absolutely! Fundamental needs like adequate sleep, nutritious food, and hydration are crucial components of self-care.
Statement: Once you start practicing self-care, you'll never feel stressed again.
Answer: MYTH
Explanation: Stress is a normal part of life. Self-care doesn't eliminate stress, but it equips you with tools to manage it better and bounce back more effectively.
Statement: Self-care helps you to be a more effective student, friend, and family member.
Answer: FACT
Explanation: When you prioritize your well-being, you have more energy, focus, and emotional resilience, which positively impacts all areas of your life and relationships.
Statement: Ignoring your needs and pushing through exhaustion is a sign of strength.
Answer: MYTH
Explanation: While perseverance is valuable, ignoring your fundamental needs can lead to burnout, poor health, and decreased performance. Recognizing and addressing your needs is a true sign of strength.
Statement: Self-care is a one-time fix; you don't need to practice it regularly.
Answer: MYTH
Explanation: Self-care is an ongoing practice, much like brushing your teeth or eating healthy meals. It requires consistent effort to maintain well-being.
Statement: Setting boundaries with friends or family is a form of self-care.
Answer: FACT
Explanation: Establishing healthy boundaries protects your time, energy, and emotional space, which is a vital aspect of self-care.
Statement: Self-care means always doing what feels good in the moment, even if it's unhealthy long-term.
Answer: MYTH
Explanation: True self-care involves making choices that benefit your long-term health and well-being, even if they require short-term discipline (e.g., choosing sleep over late-night activities).