Warm-Up: Brain Buzz

Take two minutes to think about these questions, then be ready to share with the class:

1. What comes to mind when you hear the term "brain health"?
   
   
   
   
2. What comes to mind when you hear the term "mental health"?
   
   
   
   
3. How do you think these two concepts are connected? Give an example if you can.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Your Brain on Life: Nurturing Your Mental Well-being - Script

Warm-Up: Brain Buzz (5 minutes)

"Good morning/afternoon everyone! Let's kick off today with a quick warm-up. On the board, or projected for you, you'll see three questions about 'brain health' and 'mental health.' Take about two minutes to jot down some thoughts or simply reflect on them. Then, we'll share a few ideas as a class."

(Pause for 2 minutes)

"Alright, who'd like to share their initial thoughts? What comes to mind when you hear 'brain health' and 'mental health'? And how do you see them connected? There are no wrong answers here, just your initial ideas."

(Facilitate a brief discussion, affirming student responses and drawing out the idea that they are deeply intertwined.)

Introduction to Brain-Mental Health Connection (8 minutes)

"Excellent thoughts! Today, we're going to dive deeper into this connection. Take a look at Slide 1: Your Brain on Life – our question for today is: How are your brain and mental health connected? Let's explore."

"Now, moving to Slide 2: The Brain-Body Connection. For a long time, we tended to think of our minds and bodies as separate things. But the reality is, our brain is part of our body, and it's the control center for everything. It processes our thoughts, orchestrates our emotions, and dictates our behaviors. So, it makes sense that what impacts your brain, directly impacts your mind, and vice-versa."

"Think about it: when you're physically ill, it often affects your mood, right? That's your brain and body communicating. This connection is constant and profound. So, how does this connection – the idea that our physical brain health is so tied to our mental well-being – impact our daily lives? Any thoughts?"

(Allow a few student responses.)

Pillars of Brain Health (10 minutes)

"Fantastic. So, if our brain is so central to our mental health, how do we keep it healthy? Just like we have pillars for a strong building, we have 'Pillars of Brain Health' that support our mental well-being. Let's look at Slide 3: Pillars of Brain Health."

"First up: Sleep. Why do you think getting enough sleep is so crucial for both your brain and your mental state?"
(Listen for responses like: 'helps concentration,' 'improves mood,' 'brain rests/repairs itself.')
"Exactly! Sleep is like the brain's nightly reset button. It clears out waste products, consolidates memories, and helps regulate our emotions. Lack of sleep can make us irritable, anxious, and foggy-headed."

"Next, Nutrition. How does what we eat affect our brain?"
(Listen for responses like: 'brain needs energy,' 'certain foods are good for focus.')
"Our brain is incredibly energy-intensive, and it needs the right fuel. Think healthy fats, antioxidants from fruits and veggies, and whole grains. Poor nutrition can lead to energy dips, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating."

"Then we have Exercise. We often think of exercise for our bodies, but how does it help our brains?"
(Listen for responses like: 'reduces stress,' 'makes you feel good,' 'helps with focus.')
"Physical activity isn't just for muscles; it's a huge mood booster! Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, releases endorphins, and can even help grow new brain cells. It's a powerful tool against stress and anxiety."

"Stress Management is another key pillar. Why is learning to manage stress important for our brain?"
(Listen for responses like: 'too much stress is bad,' 'can't think clearly when stressed.')
"Chronic stress can actually change your brain structure and function, impacting memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation. Learning techniques like mindfulness, deep breathing, or even just taking breaks helps protect your brain."

"What about Social Connection? How does interacting with others benefit our brain and mental health?"
(Listen for responses like: 'makes you feel less alone,' 'good to talk things out.')
"Humans are social creatures, and our brains thrive on connection. Social interaction reduces feelings of loneliness, provides support, and boosts neurotransmitters like oxytocin, which promotes well-being."

"Finally, Learning & Novelty. Why is it good to keep challenging your brain?"
(Listen for responses like: 'keeps your brain sharp,' 'helps you grow.')
"Engaging in new learning, whether it's a hobby, a puzzle, or a new skill, builds new neural pathways and keeps your brain adaptable and resilient. It's like a workout for your mind!"

Activity: My Brain Health Toolkit (5 minutes)

"Now that we've talked about these pillars, I want you to think about them personally. I'm going to give you a small slip of paper (or you can use a digital note). I want you to choose one of these pillars – sleep, nutrition, exercise, stress management, social connection, or learning – and write down one specific, actionable step you will take in the next week to strengthen that pillar for your brain health. It could be something you already do and want to continue, or something new you want to try."

"For example, if you choose sleep, you might write: 'Go to bed 15 minutes earlier each night.' Or for nutrition: 'Add one extra serving of vegetables to my dinner.' Make it something realistic for you."

"This is a personal commitment. You can keep it as a reminder, or you can turn it in if you prefer for a quick check-in. The goal is to start thinking about these habits actively."

(Distribute papers/allow time for digital notes.)

Cool-Down: One Healthy Brain Habit (2 minutes)

"As we wrap up today, I'd like you to complete this Cool-Down: One Healthy Brain Habit. On your exit ticket, just write down one new thing you learned about brain mental health today, or one healthy brain habit you want to commit to continuing or starting. This will be your exit ticket for today."

"Thank you everyone for an engaging discussion! Remember, taking care of your brain is taking care of your whole self."

(Collect cool-downs as students leave.)

My Brain Health Toolkit

Instructions:

Think about the six pillars of brain health we discussed today:

• Sleep
• Nutrition
• Exercise
• Stress Management
• Social Connection
• Learning & Novelty

Choose ONE pillar that you want to focus on improving or maintaining this week. Then, write down one specific, actionable step you will take to support that pillar for your brain and mental well-being.

Make it a realistic goal! This is your personal commitment to yourself.

My Chosen Pillar:

My Action Step for This Week:

Cool-Down: One Healthy Brain Habit

Take a moment to reflect on today's lesson about your brain and mental health.

What is one new thing you learned, or one healthy brain habit you want to commit to starting or continuing?