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Healthy Habits

  • Looking good is only one of the many benefits of being healthy and fit. Examine one of the following: 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 osteoporosis by eating foods rich 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 of causes that are considered 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. 
  1. 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. 
  2. Next, each person shares four things that help them to relieve stress. If someone mentions something you do to help reduce your stress, let some air out of your balloon for the amount of time it takes you to say "chill." Then hold the end of the balloon again with your finger.
  3. Do you have air in  your balloon at the end, or is it empty? What does an air-filled or empty balloon mean?