Building Health Skills Chapter 2 Lesson 1 Building Health Skills

Skills for Building Health

Learning Health Skills Health skills are specific tools and strategies to maintain, protect, and improve all aspects of your health. Health skills are also called life skills. Why? Learning Health Skills

Three health skills-interpersonal communication, refusal skills, and conflict resolution-deal with how you give and receive information. Communication is more than just talking. Involves carefully choosing your words and expressions to clearly say what you really mean. Interpersonal communication is the exchange of thoughts, feelings, and beliefs between two or more people. Communication Skills

Interpersonal Communication You can strengthen your interpersonal communication skills by doing the following: Use “I” messages to express your feelings. Communicate with respect and caring. Be an active listener. Interpersonal Communication

Refusal skills are communication strategies that can help you say no when you are urged to take part in behaviors that are unsafe or unhealthful, or that go against your values. Developing strong refusal skills=saying no firmly, respectfully, and effectively Refusal Skills

Refusal Strategies Say no in a firm voice. Explain why. Offer alternatives. Stand your ground. Leave if necessary. Refusal Strategies

Conflict-Resolution Skills Think of a recent argument you had? How was it resolved? Were all people involved satisfied with the outcome? Conflict resolution is the process of ending a conflict through cooperation and problem solving. Conflict-resolution skills include: Stepping away from the argument Allowing the conflict to subside Using good interpersonal communication skills Maintaining an attitude of respect for yourself and others Conflict-Resolution Skills

Accessing Information Knowing how to find and evaluate health information will help you make decisions that benefit your well-being. Some valid sources include: Health care providers and professionals Valid internet sites Parents, guardians, and other trusted adults Recently published material written by respected, well-known science and health professionals Accessing Information

Do you ever stop and think why you do the things you do? The more aware you are of the various influences in your life and how they affect you, the better able you are to make informed choices about your health. Analyzing influences

Influences on Your Health Which sources have the most influence on you? Why? Personal Values Personal Beliefs Perceptions Curiosity/Fears Your Family and Culture Media and Technology Friends and Peers School and Community Influences on Your Health

Self-Management Skills Self-Management means taking charge or your own health. Self-Management Skills: Practicing healthful behaviors. You practice healthful behaviors when you make good health habits part of your everyday life. Managing Stress. Stress, the reaction of the body and mind to everyday challenges and demands. Stress management skills are skills that help you reduce and manage stress in your life. Self-Management Skills

Advocacy is taking action to influence others to address a health-related concern or to support a health-related belief. Participating in such activities allows you to encourage others to practice healthful behaviors. What are some ways you could advocate good health to members of your own family? Advocacy

Why is it important to recognize and analyze the various influences on your behavior? How can advocacy help you with health issues that are important to you? Thinking Critically