Looking good is only one of the many benefits of being healthy and fit. Examineoneofthefollowing:skin cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease, AIDS. Divide a paper in half. On one side, list causes of the disease that can be prevented. For example, you can prevent osteoporosisbyeatingfoodsrich in calcium. On the other side, list causes of the disease that cannot be prevented. For example, more women than men suffer from osteoporosis-and they can't do anything about that. Look at the list ofcausesthatareconsidered preventable. Using your list, come up with three healthy tips for that disease that you and your family can follow to lower their chances of getting sick.
Doing physical activity for a half an hour a day promotes good health. The best activities for bones are called weight bearing, like walking,running. For one week, do some type of weight-bearing physical activity for at least 30 minutes each day.
With a group of at least three others, brainstorm a list of five healthy habits. Then brainstorm a list of five unhealthy habits. Write each habit on a piece of paper and place it in a bag. 1. Mark a starting point on the floor, using tape or a rope. Players start with their toes on the line. Pick a piece of paper out of the bag and read it aloud. Is it a positive habit-and something you do? Take one step forward. Don't do it? Take one step backward. Is it a negative habit-and something you do? Take one step backward. Don't do it? Take a step forward. 2. After you have read each habit, notice where everyone is standing. Discuss steps to take to improve healthy habits and try three of them for a month.
Fighting with your spouse or friend, moving to a new place, changing jobs, or going through a divorce in your family can cause stress. How can you overcome stress? Do this group activity to find out.
Each person gets an empty balloon. The balloon represents your body. One at a time, share what makes you feel stress. Every time someone mentions an item that you find stressful, blow once into your balloon, holding the end closed with your finger.
Next,each person sharesfourthingsthathelp them torelievestress. Ifsomeonementionssomethingyoudotohelpreduceyourstress,letsomeairoutofyourballoonfortheamountoftimeittakesyoutosay"chill." Thenholdtheendoftheballoon againwithyourfinger.
