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Your Wellness Toolkit

Lesson Plan

Your Wellness Toolkit

Students will be able to identify at least three stress management techniques and understand the importance of incorporating self-care into their daily routines.

Learning to manage stress and practice self-care is crucial for 9th-grade students as they navigate academic pressures, social challenges, and personal growth. These skills promote mental well-being and resilience, preparing them for a healthy future.

Audience

9th Grade Students

Time

30 Minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and practical technique demonstration.

Materials

Your Wellness Toolkit Slide Deck, Wellness Warm-Up, Stress-Buster Activity, and Wellness Reflection Cool Down

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 Minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up

5 Minutes

Step 2

What is Stress and Self-Care?

8 Minutes

  • Use the Your Wellness Toolkit Slide Deck to define stress and self-care.
    - Facilitate a brief discussion on common stressors for 9th graders.
    - Introduce various self-care strategies (e.g., mindfulness, physical activity, creative outlets).

Step 3

Stress-Buster Activity

10 Minutes

  • Lead the Stress-Buster Activity.
    - Encourage students to identify one personal stressor and a practical way to address it.
    - Discuss examples as a class, ensuring a safe and supportive environment.

Step 4

Wrap-Up & Cool Down

7 Minutes

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Slide Deck

Welcome to Your Wellness Toolkit!

What does 'wellness' mean to you?
Why is it important to take care of ourselves?

Today, we'll explore practical ways to build your personal wellness toolkit!

Welcome students and introduce the topic of wellness and self-care. Explain that today's lesson will equip them with tools to manage stress. Briefly go over the agenda for the 30-minute session.

Understanding Stress & Self-Care

What is Stress?

  • Your body's reaction to demands or challenges.
  • It can be good (motivates you) or bad (overwhelming).

What is Self-Care?

  • Intentional actions to care for your physical, mental, and emotional health.
  • It's NOT selfish; it's essential!

Discussion: What are some common stressors for 9th graders?

Transition from the warm-up. Define stress in a way that resonates with 9th graders (e.g., body's response to demands). Define self-care as intentional actions to care for physical, mental, and emotional health. Ask students for examples of stressors they face.

Building Your Toolkit: Strategies

Mind & Emotions

  • Mindfulness & Meditation (e.g., deep breathing)
  • Journaling
  • Talking to a trusted friend or adult
  • Limiting screen time

Body

  • Physical Activity (sports, walking, dancing)
  • Healthy Eating
  • Enough Sleep
  • Hydration

Connection & Creativity

  • Spending time with loved ones
  • Engaging in hobbies (art, music, reading)
  • Volunteering
  • Spending time in nature

Introduce various self-care categories and give specific examples. Encourage students to think about which strategies they already use or might be interested in trying. Emphasize that different things work for different people.

Putting It Into Practice

It's one thing to know about self-care, and another to do it!

Let's try an activity to see how you can apply these tools to YOUR life.

Think about a small stressor you've faced recently and how you could use a wellness tool to respond.

Explain the concept of identifying a stressor and choosing a strategy. Introduce the Stress-Buster Activity. Emphasize that even small actions can make a big difference.

Your Wellness Journey Starts Now!

You have the power to influence your well-being.

Start small, be consistent, and be kind to yourself.

Which tool from your wellness toolkit will you try this week?

Reiterate the main message: self-care is vital for overall well-being. Encourage them to use the cool-down reflection to solidify their commitment to trying a strategy. Thank them for their participation.

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Warm Up

Wellness Warm-Up: How Do You Recharge?

Instructions: Think about how you feel after a busy week or a challenging day. What helps you feel refreshed and ready to go again? Jot down your ideas below.

  1. Describe a time recently when you felt a little stressed or overwhelmed.






  2. What is one thing you did (or wished you could do) to feel better or more relaxed in that moment?






  3. On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = not at all, 5 = very much), how important do you think it is to actively take care of your mental and emotional well-being? Why?






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Activity

Stress-Buster Activity: My Action Plan

Instructions: Everyone faces stress! In this activity, you'll identify a personal stressor and brainstorm a practical self-care strategy to tackle it. There are no right or wrong answers, only what works for YOU.

Part 1: Identify Your Stressor (5 minutes)

Think about a specific, manageable stressor you've experienced recently or anticipate facing soon. This could be related to school, friends, family, or personal expectations. Write it down clearly.

My Stressor:






Part 2: Choose Your Toolkit Item (10 minutes)

Look back at the self-care strategies we discussed (mindfulness, physical activity, journaling, talking to someone, hobbies, sleep, etc.). Which one feels most relevant or helpful for your identified stressor? How could you apply it?

Self-Care Strategy I'll Try:






How I'll Apply It (be specific!):






Part 3: Share (Optional, 5 minutes)

If you feel comfortable, share your stressor and chosen strategy with a partner or the class. Hearing from others can give us new ideas and remind us we're not alone!

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Cool Down

Wellness Reflection: Your Next Step

Instructions: Take a few minutes to reflect on today's lesson. Your responses will help solidify your learning and commitment to self-care.

  1. What is one new thing you learned or a self-care strategy you want to explore further?





  2. Thinking about the Stress-Buster Activity, what is one specific, actionable self-care step you commit to trying this week?





  3. Who is one trusted person you could talk to if you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed?





  4. On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = not at all, 5 = absolutely), how confident are you that you can use at least one tool from your wellness toolkit to help manage stress?



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