April 11th, 2011 | 
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Learning how to analyze health information, products, and, services will help you act in ways that protect your health. The first step in analyzing an influence is to identify its, source. A TV commercial may tell you a certain food has health, benefits. In this case, the source is an advertiser who is trying, to get you to buy the food. Next, you should think about the motive, or reason, for the, influence. Does the advertiser really take your well-being into, consideration, or is the main goal to sell a product?
Communicating with Others
Three of the ten health skills involve the way you communicate, with other people. Communication is the clear, exchange of ideas and information. Good communication, skills include telling others how you feel. They also include, listening to others and understanding how others feel. You, will learn more about communication skills in
Sometimes you have to say no to others. An example, is when you are pressured to do something you believe is, wrong. Refusal skills help you say no in an effective way. When you have conflicts, or disagreements with others, conflict-resolution skills can help you find a solution that is, air to everyone involved.
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What are some decisions you made today? Decisions are, choices that you make. Some decisions are small, such as, what to eat for breakfast or what to wear. Other decisions, are tougher. They can have serious consequences or, results. During your teen years, you will have many, important decisions to make. For some decisions, you, will want to seek help from your parents, guardians, or, other trusted adults.
Some decisions involve risks. Risk is the chance of, harm, or loss. Any decision that involves a risk to your, health is an important one. When making decisions, , you should understand the short-term and long term, consequences of safe, risky, and harmful, behaviors.
Big decisions are a little like math problems. They should, be broken down into smaller parts before they can be solved., Using the following six-step process can help you make healthy, and responsible decisions., Whenever possible, it’s a good idea to write down your, answers as you work through each step. That way, you won’t, leave out important details. You can also go back and review, the steps.,
Step 1:
State the Situation, before you can make a decision, you should understand the, situation. Ask yourself the following: What are the facts? Who, else is involved?
Step 2: List the Options, once you have analyzed the situation, think of your options. Try to cover all the possibilities. You may want to ask other people, for suggestions. An adult that you trust is a good person to, ask for advice when making an important decision.
Step 3: Weigh the Possible Outcomes, Consider your options carefully. Remember the word HELP, when working through this step:,
• H (Healthful) What health risks, if any, will this option, present?,
• E (Ethical) Does this choice reflect what you and your, family believe to be ethical, or right?,
• L (Legal) Does this option violate any local, state, or federal, laws?,
• P (Parent Approval) Would your parents approve of, this choice?, For some decisions, you should think about cumulative, risks.
Knowing how to access, or get, reliable health information is, an important skill. A main source of information is adults you, can trust. Parents and guardians, teachers, and your school nurse, are reliable sources. They can help you find accurate books, articles, and Web sites on a variety of health topics. Community, resources provide other ways to get reliable information. These, resources include government health agencies and organizations, such as the American Red Cross.
Taking Care of Yourself
Practicing healthy behaviors and managing stress are two skills that all teens should learn. When you eat healthy, foods and get enough sleep, you are taking actions that promote good health. Stress management is learning to cope with, challenges that put a strain on you mentally or emotionally. Strategies for managing stress can help you deal with stress in, a healthy way.
Too Good to Be True. Trevor was excited when he first saw an, infomercial for a new acne medicine. It promised, to make pimples vanish overnight. This health, claim sounded too well to be true. He knew the, importance of considering, • the source. Infomercials are TV ads made to, look like programs. There are few rules that control the kinds of claims advertisers can, make. Trevor knew infomercials were not, reliable health sources. When you hear a suspicious, health claim, ask yourself, “What am I being, encouraged to do?” If the answer is “buy, something,” beware.
One of the keys to good health are the prevention of illness and, injury. Prevention means practicing health and safety habits to remain free of disease and injury. You can prevent illness and injury, in many ways. Wearing protective gear during certain activities, such as bike riding or playing baseball, can help you prevent, injury to your body. You can help prevent common illnesses, such as colds by washing your hands often. These examples demonstrate health skills. Health skills are skills that help you become and stay healthy. Health skills can help you improve your physical, mental/,emotional, and social health. Like reading, math, and sports, skills, health skills can have a positive effect throughout, your life.
By accessing Information you know how to find valid and reliable health information and health promoting, products and services, including medical resources on the Internet. By practicing healthful behaviors you take action to reduce risks and protect you against illness and injury. In stress management you find healthy ways to reduce and manage stress in your life. By analyzing influences you recognize the many factors that influence your health, including, culture, media, and technology. In communication skills you express your ideas and feelings and listen when others express, theirs. By refusal skills you can say no to risky behaviors. Conflict Resolution – you work out problems with others in healthful ways. In decision making you thinks through problems and fined healthy solutions. By goal setting you plan for the future and work to see your plans through. Advocacy you take a stand to work for the common good and make a difference, in your home, school, and community.
Technology is the use of scientific ideas to improve the quality, of life. The use of computer technology in planes has made, it easier and safer to fly. A variety of technologies for health, information are now available. E-mail and the Internet are only, two examples. These resources influence your health because; they can provide you with fast and easy access to valid health, information. The control of diseases is another area that technology, has impacted. One area in which technology has had a huge impact is in, detecting illnesses. For example, MRI machines give a view of, the inside of any area of the body. Finding early evidence of, diseases can help doctors treat them successfully. Can you give another example of technology that has made your health and, life better?
Your Health Choices and Behaviors
Some of the factors that influence your health, such as heredity, are out of your control. You do, however, have control over, your behavior and the choices you make. Your behavior is the, way you act in the many different situations and events in your life. Many of the choices you make affect your health. For example, choosing to eat healthy foods will affect your physical health. Knowing the consequences of your choices and behaviors can, help you take responsibility for your health.