lenny

Winter Wellness Sanctuary

user image

Lesson Plan

Winter Resilience Blueprint

Students will learn and implement strategies for maintaining mental and physical well-being during the winter months, focusing on self-care and resilience.

Winter can bring unique challenges like shorter days and colder weather, impacting mood and energy. This lesson helps students develop practical strategies to navigate these challenges and promote overall wellness.

Audience

Middle School Students

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, self-reflection, and hands-on activity.

Materials

Thriving Through Winter (slide-deck), Personal Wellness Audit (worksheet), Cozy Corner Creation (activity), and Mindful Winter Practices (reading)

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: Winter's Embrace (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Begin with a brief discussion about what students enjoy and find challenging about winter.
    - Introduce the concept of winter wellness and the importance of self-care during this season. Use Thriving Through Winter slides 1-2.

Step 2

Personal Wellness Audit (15 minutes)

15 minutes

  • Distribute the Personal Wellness Audit worksheet.
    - Guide students through completing the worksheet, encouraging honest self-reflection on their current well-being practices.
    - Facilitate a brief discussion about common themes or surprising discoveries from their audits. Use Thriving Through Winter slides 3-4.

Step 3

Strategies for Winter Wellness (15 minutes)

15 minutes

  • Present various self-care and resilience strategies using Thriving Through Winter slides 5-8.
    - Discuss practical tips for managing mood, staying active, eating well, and connecting with others.
    - Introduce the Mindful Winter Practices reading and have students read a short excerpt or discuss key takeaways.

Step 4

Cozy Corner Creation Activity (15 minutes)

15 minutes

  • Introduce the Cozy Corner Creation activity.
    - Explain that a personal cozy corner is a dedicated space for calm and self-care. It doesn't have to be a literal corner, but can be a designated spot for relaxation. Students will spend time designing their ideal cozy corner, considering elements like comfort items, lighting, sounds, and activities that bring them peace.
    - Provide art supplies (paper, crayons, markers, colored pencils) for students to draw or write about their cozy corner. Encourage creativity and personal expression.
    - Play calming music during this activity if appropriate. Use Thriving Through Winter slide 8.

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Winter Wellness Pledge (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Ask students to share one idea from their cozy corner design or one wellness strategy they plan to try this winter.
    - Emphasize that even small, consistent efforts can make a big difference in winter wellness. Use Thriving Through Winter slide 9.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Winter Wellness Sanctuary

Navigating the colder, darker months with strength and joy!

Welcome students and set a positive, reflective tone. Ask them to think about what comes to mind when they hear 'winter'.

Winter's Embrace: Challenges & Charms

  • What do you love about winter?
    - What do you find challenging?
    - How does winter make you feel?

Introduce the idea that winter can be both beautiful and challenging, and that we have power over how we experience it. Link to personal well-being.

Your Wellness Compass

Understanding your current well-being habits is key to improving them.

Today, we'll take a 'Personal Wellness Audit'.

Explain that self-awareness is the first step. Introduce the 'Personal Wellness Audit' worksheet.

Time for Reflection

Take about 10 minutes to honestly assess your habits in different areas of your life using the Personal Wellness Audit worksheet.

Guide students to quietly work on their worksheets. Emphasize honesty and self-reflection.

Nourish Your Body

  • Movement: Find ways to stay active, indoors or out!
    - Nutrition: Eat warming, healthy foods.
    - Sleep: Prioritize rest and a consistent sleep schedule.

Transition to actionable strategies. Highlight the importance of physical activity even when it's cold.

Cultivate Your Mind

  • Mindfulness: Practice being present. (See Mindful Winter Practices for ideas!)
    - Journaling: Express your thoughts and feelings.
    - Learning: Engage your brain with new hobbies or skills.

Focus on mental health strategies. Encourage students to think about what brings them joy and calm.

Connect & Brighten

  • Social Connection: Reach out to friends and family.
    - Light Exposure: Maximize natural light or consider light therapy.
    - Nature: Spend time outdoors, even for short bursts.

Discuss the importance of connection and light.

Your Cozy Corner

Create a dedicated space for calm, comfort, and self-care.

This is your Cozy Corner Creation!

Introduce the 'Cozy Corner Creation' activity as a practical application of self-care.

Your Winter Wellness Pledge

What is ONE new wellness practice you will try this winter?

Remember, small steps lead to big changes!

Summarize the lesson and encourage students to commit to one new wellness practice.

lenny

Worksheet

Personal Wellness Audit: Winter Edition

Take a moment to honestly assess your habits during the winter months. For each area, rate yourself from 1 (rarely/not at all) to 5 (always/consistently) and then reflect on your answers.

1. Physical Well-being

Movement/Activity: How often do you engage in physical activity during winter?
1 (Rarely)


2


3


4


5 (Consistently)

Sleep: Do you maintain a regular and sufficient sleep schedule?
1 (Rarely)


2


3


4


5 (Consistently)

Nutrition: Do you generally eat healthy and nourishing foods?
1 (Rarely)


2


3


4


5 (Consistently)

Hydration: Do you drink enough water throughout the day?
1 (Rarely)


2


3


4


5 (Consistently)

2. Mental & Emotional Well-being

Mood: How would you describe your general mood during winter?
1 (Often Low)


2


3


4


5 (Generally Positive)

Stress Management: Do you have healthy ways to cope with stress?
1 (Rarely)


2


3


4


5 (Consistently)

Mindfulness/Relaxation: Do you take time for quiet reflection or relaxation?
1 (Rarely)


2


3


4


5 (Consistently)

Coping Skills: Do you feel equipped to handle winter challenges?
1 (Not Really)


2


3


4


5 (Very Equipped)

3. Social & Environmental Well-being

Social Connection: Do you actively connect with friends and family?
1 (Rarely)


2


3


4


5 (Consistently)

Light Exposure: Do you get enough natural light during the day?
1 (Rarely)


2


3


4


5 (Consistently)

Time in Nature: Do you spend time outdoors, even in winter?
1 (Rarely)


2


3


4


5 (Consistently)

Environment: Is your personal space (room, home) cozy and supportive of well-being?
1 (Not Really)


2


3


4


5 (Very Supportive)

Reflection Questions

  1. What was one surprising discovery from your audit?





  2. In which area do you feel strongest, and why?





  3. In which area would you like to make a positive change this winter? What is one small step you can take?










lenny
lenny

Activity

Cozy Corner Creation: Design Your Winter Sanctuary

Having a dedicated space where you can relax, recharge, and practice self-care is incredibly important, especially during the busy winter months. Today, you'll design your own Cozy Corner Blueprint.

What is a Cozy Corner?

A cozy corner is a special place, real or imagined, where you can go to feel calm, comfortable, and centered. It's a space that supports your well-being and helps you practice self-care.

Your Task:

Design your ideal cozy corner! You can draw it, describe it, or do a bit of both. Think about the following elements:

  • Location: Where is this cozy corner? (e.g., a specific spot in your room, under a tree, a fictional place?)
  • Comfort Items: What soft things are there? (e.g., blankets, pillows, a comfy chair?)
  • Sensory Details:
    • Sight: What do you see? (e.g., gentle lighting, calming colors, a favorite picture, plants?)
    • Sound: What do you hear? (e.g., quiet music, natural sounds, silence?)
    • Smell: What do you smell? (e.g., a favorite candle (if safe and allowed), fresh air, essential oils?)
    • Touch: What textures do you feel? (e.g., soft rug, smooth wood, a weighted blanket?)
  • Activities: What self-care activities would you do in your cozy corner? (e.g., read a book, journal, listen to music, meditate, draw, simply relax?)
  • Personal Touches: What makes this space uniquely yours and brings you joy?

Use the space below to draw and/or write about your Cozy Corner Blueprint!



















































lenny
lenny

Reading

Mindful Winter Practices: Finding Calm in the Cold

Winter, with its shorter days and often colder temperatures, can sometimes feel like a time to hunker down and simply get through. However, it can also be a profound season for mindfulness, reflection, and intentional self-care. By embracing mindful practices, we can transform winter from a period of endurance into a time of quiet growth and inner warmth.

The Power of Presence

Mindfulness is simply paying attention to the present moment without judgment. In winter, this might mean noticing the intricate patterns of frost on a window, feeling the warmth of a hot cup of tea in your hands, or listening to the gentle hush of falling snow. These small observations can ground us and bring a sense of peace amidst the external chill.

  • Mindful Walking: Even a short walk outdoors can be a mindful experience. Notice the crisp air on your face, the sound of your footsteps on a frosted path, or the bare branches reaching towards the sky. If staying indoors, walk mindfully around your home, noticing textures, sounds, and smells.

  • Sensory Awareness: Engage your senses. Sip a warm drink slowly, savoring its taste and aroma. Wrap yourself in a soft blanket and notice the texture. Listen to calming music or the sounds of nature. Light a candle (with adult supervision) and watch the flickering flame.

Cultivating Inner Warmth

Just as we bundle up to protect ourselves from the cold, we can cultivate inner practices to generate warmth and comfort within. This isn't about ignoring challenges, but about building resilience.

  • Cozy Corner: Create a
lenny
lenny
Winter Wellness Sanctuary • Lenny Learning