The lessons in this unit are designed to be inclusive of all races, ethnicities, body types, and income levels. Students will start by examining the assumptions that underlie most healthy-habits messaging. Then, they will go beyond a superficial lens and connect with a deeper “why” that informs their motivation for practicing healthy habits. After laying this fundamental groundwork, they will explore the topics of physical activity, healthy eating, and sleep.

• Lesson 1: Examining Our Perspectives About Healthy-Habits
• Lesson 2: Identifying Your Deeper “Why”
• Lesson 3: Physical Activity
• Lesson 4: Healthy Eating
• Lesson 5: Getting Your ZZZ’s
• Project: Personal Responsibility or Public Policy?

Lesson 1: Examining Our Perspectives About Healthy-Habits
Through reflection and discussion, students will critically examine the messages they’ve received from society about healthy habits and the impact these messages have had on their own habits and beliefs.

Lesson 2: Identifying Your Deeper “Why”
Students will go beyond the superficial to identify their deeper ‘whys’ for practicing healthy habits. The deeper ‘whys’ will be connected with what gives their life meaning and purpose and enhances their overall sense of well-being.

Lesson 3: Physical Activity
Students will go through a step-by-step process to create a personal physical activity goal that feels realistic and attainable and that is informed by their deeper ‘why.’

Lesson 4: Healthy Eating
Students will explore problematic assumptions that generally underlie healthy-eating guidance in the United States, then will engage in small-group discussion about the factors that impact what they eat.

Lesson 5: Getting Your ZZZ’s
Students will explore the problem of teen sleep deprivation and will reflect on which factors are and are not in their control around the issue. They will learn practical tips for getting more sleep. They will also watch a TEDx Talk about a policy change many experts say would help with this issue.

Project: Personal Responsibility or Public Policy?
Students will choose between two options for their final project: a) write a personal essay or create a visual presentation about their personal approach to healthy habits, or b) write a persuasive essay or create a visual presentation in which they advocate for a specific change to public policy that would support their community in practicing healthy habits.