Lesson 2: Developing a Positive Identity

 Your identity is like a jigsaw puzzle: Your interests Your likes and dislikes Your talents and abilities Your values and beliefs Your goals What are some aspects of YOUR identity that make you unique???

 Recognize Your Strengths and Weaknesses  Demonstrate Positive Values  Develop a Purpose in Life  Form Meaningful Relationships  Contribute to the Community  Avoid Unhealthy Risk Behaviors

 Emotions- signals that tell your mind and body how to react.  Emotions are often referred to as feelings.  They are the responses to certain thoughts and events.  Emotions effect everyone in different ways.

 Health literate people know positive strategies for expressing needs, want, and feelings. What are some positive strategies that you use? *Negative ways of dealing with emotions do nothing to solve problems! Often times they worsen the situation. What are negative ways of dealing with emotions?

 Look below the surface: what are you really reacting to? Does the emotion match the situation? Look below the surface: what are you really reacting to? Does the emotion match the situation?  Will the situation matter tomorrow, next week, or even in a year?  Don’t take action until you have considered the consequences of the action. Don’t take action until you have considered the consequences of the action.  Use positive feelings to inspire yourself.  If negative feelings do not go away, seek help (friends, family, professionals)

 Take slow, deep breaths and relax!  Get away and compose yourself.  Write in a private journal.  Play/listen to music.  Talk your feelings over with parents and friends.

Common Defense Mechanisms: Repression- unconsciously pushing of unpleasant feelings out of conscious thought. Suppression- consciously pushing unwanted thoughts from one’s mind. Rationalization- making excuses rather than taking responsibility for situation or behavior. Regression - reverting to earlier developmental characteristics vs. handling it in a mature manor. Denial - not acknowledging what others see as obvious. Compensation- making up for mistakes through gift giving, hard work, or extreme efforts. Projection- attributing your own feelings or faults to another person or group. Idealization - seeing someone as perfect or more worthy than others. Toughest Emotions to Handle: FEAR, GUILT, ANGER Toughest Emotions to Handle: FEAR, GUILT, ANGER