i know we're all sick of self-care being a marketing tactic now, but i don't think a lot of us have any other concept of self-care beyond what companies have tried to sell us, so i thought i'd share my favorite self-care hand out
brought to you by how mad i just got at a Target ad
SEL, grades 7+, Self-Care
Do Now:
Students write independent responses to the following questions: "What does Self-Care mean to me? What are some things I do in order to take good care of myself?"
Direct Instruction:
Teacher explains that self-care is a broad concept. The Self is a complicated thing made of many parts, and they all require care. A healthy self is healthy in mind, body, and social relationships. Your inside matters as much as your outside, whether others can see it or not it, and all of it requires effort to maintain. A daily exercise routine is good, but if you're neglecting your schoolwork or your friendships then you're not fully practicing self-care.
Finally, stress is a key indicator that should never be ignored. Like when a machine is running too hot, if you ever feel overwhelmed by your feelings of stress then you should listen to that feeling. Do you need better self-care practices so you can handle a reasonable amount of stress? Are you asking too much of yourself? Do you need help?
Guided Activity:
Walk students through the questions on the Self-Care Assessment until you are confident that they will know how to engage with every item. In particular, read the first paragraph out loud to make sure everyone understands how to approach this activity. You can show them your own completed assessment (or one from another class, anonymized) as an exemplar. (See below the cut)
Students then have the rest of the period to slowly work their way through a self assessment.
Higher Order Learning:
After completing the assessment, students write a short reflection on the following questions: "What changes can I make, starting today, in order to practice better self-care? What can I do in one week to make sure I am still on track? One month?" This reflection is the only thing they need to turn in to receive credit for this assignment. They will not be required to share their self-assessments with anyone in order to receive credit. However, they are encouraged to informally share their responses with anyone they choose at their own volition.
