Chapter 2

Taking Charge of Your Health

Learning Health Skills

health skills – specific tools and strategies to maintain, protect, and improve all aspects

of your health

  • used throughout life to stay healthy (a.k.a life skills)

Communication Skills – how you give and receive information

  • involves carefully choosing words and expressions to clearly say what you mean
  • listen closely to others
  • use interpersonal communication (exchange of thoughts, feelings, and beliefs between two or more people) to build strong relationships
  • use “I” messages to express your feelings (focus on your emotions without placing blame)
  • communicate with respect and caring
  • be an active listener
  • refusal skills – 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
  • helpful refusal strategies:

–Say no in a firm voice

–Explain why

–Offer alternatives

–Stand your ground

–Leave if necessary

  • conflict resolution – process of ending a conflict through cooperation and problem solving

–step away from an argument, allow the conflict to subside, use good interpersonal communication skills, maintain an attitude of respect for yourself and for the other person

Accessing Information

–know how to find and evaluate health information

–must determine reliability of the group or individual sharing the info

–valid sources:

  • health care providers and professionals
  • valid Internet sites, such as those of government agencies and professional health organizations
  • parents, guardians, and other trusted adults
  • recently published material written by respected, well-known science and health professionals

Analyzing Influences (people make better decisions when they understand the influences

that affect their decisions)

*Factors that influence your health:

  • personal values
  • personal beliefs
  • perceptions
  • curiosity/fears

 Self-Management Skills

-taking charge of your own health

-2 self-management skills::

  • Practicing healthful behaviors
  • Managing stress
  • reaction of body and mind to everyday challenges and demands
  • normal part of life
  • too much unrelieved stress can lead to illness
  • must learn stress management skills – help you reduce and manage stress in your life

 Advocacy – taking action to influence others to address a health-related concern to

support a health-related belief

  • allows you to encourage others to practice healthful behaviors

Decision Making

  • values – ideas, beliefs, and attitudes about what is important that help guide the way you live
  • decisions reflect your personal values and the values of your family
  • values are first learned from family

The Decision-Making Process

  • Step 1 – State the Situation
  • Step 2 – List the Options
  • Step 3 – Weigh the Possible Outcomes
  • Use the HELP strategy:
  • H (Healthful)
  • E (Ethical) –reflect what you value
  • L (Legal)
  • P (Parent Approval)
  • Step 4 – Consider Values
  • Step 5 – Make a Decision and Act on It
  • Step 6 – Evaluate the Decision

Goal Setting

-goals, those things you aim for that take planning and work

-how successful you are at reaching them depends on the plans you make now

-short-term goal: can reach in a short period of time

  • may be a stepping stone for a long-term goal

-long-term goal: plan to reach over an extended period of time

  • need more time and planning

-need an action plan to help you identify and achieve your goals

  • set a specific, realistic goal and write it down
  • list the steps you will take to reach your goal
  • identify sources of help and support
  • set a reasonable time frame for achieving your goal
  • evaluate your progress by establishing checkpoints
  • reward yourself for achieving your goal