MAKING LIFE CHOICESNovember 2016 Character Education

LEARNING TARGET

Learning Target: I can identify ways to be mentally and physically healthy by making good life choices.

THE CHOICES MENU…

Choices… choices… choices!!! So many choices to make, and does it actually make a difference if I choose a salad or a burger? If I only exercise when I have to in PE? If I have a soda every day? If I don’t get enough sleep? If I spend several hours every day on social media???

What’s the big deal?

YES, INDEED! YOUR CHOICES MATTER TODAY!

The little (and big) choices you are making today are shaping your future. Simplistically speaking, that which you repeatedly do forms a strong pathway in your brain. Each time you repeat something, it reinforces the neural pathway and establishes habits. It doesn’t mean you can’t change them, but it is difficult after it has been strengthened over time. Depending on the choices… it can also have long-term effects on your physical health and mental well-being.

For example… if you have already formed a pattern of bad eating habits, it is more difficult to create a new pathway or retrain your brain to make better choices in the future.

SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS!

However, the more you practice the “new” or improved habit or behavior, the easier it becomes as that new pathway is reinforced and strengthened.

IS EXERCISE YOUR FRENEMY? MAKE IT YOUR FRIEND!

No matter what your age or shape, you should exercise daily. Not only does exercise tone your body, it strengthens your muscles, keeps your bones strong, and improves your skin. And there are more benefits of exercise -- increased relaxation, better sleep and mood, strong immune function, and more.

FEELING MOODY? LEAVE THE DRAMA IN DRAMA CLASS!

Research shows that regular exercise reduces symptoms of moderate depression and enhances psychological fitness. Exercise can even help increase a positive psychological state.

Endorphins are hormones in the brain associated with a happy, positive feeling. A low level of endorphins is associated with depression. During exercise, endorphins increase, which may help to ease symptoms of depression. Research has found that physically active people were half as likely to be depressed.

Exercise also boosts the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. This neurotransmitter is thought to play a key role in keeping your mood calm.

IS YOUR CELL PHONE PERMANENTLY CONNECTED TO YOU?

THE TECHNOLOGY TAKE-OVER

Shaky hands. Sweaty palms. Seventeen-year-old Oliver is restless, can’t focus, and keeps reaching into his empty pockets as his heart pounds with panic. But why—is he on the run from zombies? Vampires? Werewolves? Or all three? Actually, it’s a much more ordinary situation: Oliver accidentally left his phone at home.

Oliver isn’t proud of it, but he’s the first to admit his dependence: Even a five-minute trip to the store without his device is enough to fill him with unease, paranoia, and fear. But he’s not alone in this feeling—the stress and separation anxiety of going phone-free is so common, it’s been given a name: nomophobia (short for no-mobile-phone phobia).

ADDICTED TO APPS…

Yes, technology helps us stay connected and informed. Who can even imagine life without the Internet in their hands or being able to text mom to say “running late, don’t worry”? When technology does everything, however, it’s easy to become dependent on it. And now, scientists are beginning to wonder if our tech addiction is giving us a leg up, or putting obstacles (in many cases invisible ones!) in our path.

CHECK OUT THE FACTS… YIKES!!!

The average teen’s screen time per day: 7 hours 96% of teens consider cell phones vital to their lives (compared to

92% who consider their toothbrush to be vital! Texting while driving is 6X more dangerous than driving while

drunk. 4 out of 5 teens sleep with their phone 90% of texts are read within 3 minutes The number of times an average person checks their phone each

day is 150! Teens send approximately 3,339 texts per month

THE POINT IS… YOU ARE IN CONTROL OF THE PHONE! DON’T LET IT CONTROL YOU AND TAKE OVER YOUR LIFE.

We’ve all heard it… moderation in all things. There are so many great things in life that don’t involve technology and it’s important to tap into those things.

STAY HEALTHY & HAPPY!

Information adapted from CHOICES the current health life-skills magazine for teens.

http://teens.webmd.com/benefits-of-exercise?