Athletics & Wellness
Grade 7
45 min
Smart Choices for a Healthy Body: Vaping, Nutrition & More
This lesson helps you practice making smart, healthy choices and gives you the tools to confidently say 'no' to things that aren't good for you. Learning refusal skills is like building a superpower to protect your well-being!
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What & Why
What are Smart Choices & Refusal Skills?Making smart choices means thinking about how your actions affect your body and mind, both now and in the future. This includes what you eat, how you handle stress, and what you do online.Refusal skills are the ways you can say 'no' to something you don't want to do, especially when you feel pressured by others. Using them helps you stay in control, be safe, and feel proud of your decisions.A simple strategy to remember is S.T.O.P.:Say no firmly and calmly.Tell them why (a short, honest reason).Offer another idea or a positive alternative.Promptly leave if the pressure continues.
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Example 1 — Saying No to Vaping
You're hanging out with a friend who pulls out a vape and offers it to you, saying, "Everyone's doing it, just try it." You know vaping is harmful and you don't want to.Here's how you could use the S.T.O.P. method:Say No: Look your friend in the eye and say, "No, thanks. I'm not into that."Tell Why: You can add a simple reason. "I want to keep my lungs healthy for soccer."Offer Another Idea: Change the subject to something positive. "Hey, you want to go shoot some hoops instead?" or "Let's see if that new video game is out."Promptly Leave: If they keep pressuring you, it's okay to leave. "Alright, I'm gonna head home. I'll catch you later."
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Example 2 — Choosing Healthy Foods
You're at a friend's house after school and you're starving. They open the pantry and it's filled with chips, cookies, and sugary drinks. Your friend says, "Let's just snack on this stuff."Here's how you can make a smart choice:State Your Need: "I'm super hungry, but I'm trying to eat a bit healthier for my energy levels."Ask for an Alternative: Politely ask if there are other options. "Do you guys have any fruit, like an apple or a banana?" or "Maybe we could make some toast?"Suggest a Plan: If there aren't other options, you can make a plan. "How about we walk to the store and grab some yogurt or a granola bar?"Be Prepared: A great long-term strategy is to pack your own healthy snack, like trail mix or a piece of fruit, so you always have a good option.
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Beginner
What is the highly addictive chemical found in most vapes and e-cigarettes?
A.Nicotine
B.Vitamin E
C.Water Vapor
D.Fruit Flavoring
Beginner
Your friends are all ordering large sodas and fries at the food court. You know you'll feel better if you eat something healthier. What is the BEST choice?
A.Just get the soda and fries so you don't seem different.
B.Say, "That sounds good, but I'm going to get a water and a grilled chicken wrap instead."
C.Tell them their choice is really unhealthy and they shouldn't eat it.
D.Don't eat anything at all.
Beginner
In the S.T.O.P. method for refusal skills, what does the 'O' stand for?
A.Order them to stop.
B.Offer another idea.
C.Only say 'no'.
D.Overlook the situation.
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