Ch 2
Text 1 (Book Extract)
Chapter
51 — Experience vibrant health
As a teen, you have a remarkable advantage:
youth and vibrancy. Your body is young and strong. Unfortunately, however, many
teens minimize this gift by filling their bodies with junk food and failing to
get adequate exercise. This is sort of like putting heavy ankle weights on a
champion athlete. The result is you end up feeling just 'okay' rather than
fantastic.
As you know, being a teen can be pretty
tough. Feeling just 'okay' doesn't make things any easier. Can you imagine,
however, the edge you would have and how much easier life might seem if,
instead of feeling 'okay,' you felt great?
What do you think about trying to become as
healthy as possible as an experiment? You lo can start by learning everything
you can about nutrition and exercise. Visit the library. Read books and
health-related magazines. Next, talk to your doctor and come up with a plan
that seeks to maximize your physical health. Find out from an expert if there
are foods that you're eating that may be contributing to a lack of energy and
vitality, anxiety, depression, or mood swings. See if there are foods or
vitamins that you could be is consuming that might add to your physical health.
Ask about how exercise might increase your sense of well-being, which, in my
mind, translates into optimism and happiness.
Source:
Taken from Richard Carlson, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Teens: Simple Ways
to Keep Your Cool in Stressful Times
Ch 2
Text 2 (Book review)
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Teens:
Simple Ways to Keep Your Cool in Stressful Times
Written by Richard Carlson, PhD, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Teens is
a collection of suggestions for how to deal with life as a teenager. The 100
short chapters offer plenty of advice, such as 'Be OK with Your Bad Hair Day'
and 'Remember to be Kind'.
Throughout the book, Carlson offers warm
and wise advice. He makes the point that if you can avoid getting worried about
the 'small stuff', then dealing with the more difficult, 'big' issues will be
easier. The book is also full of humour, and the added stories from the
author's own teenage years give it a personal touch.
Though targeted at teenagers, young adults
ought to try it too. And if I were the io parent of a teenager, I'd definitely
find it a good read.
Stephen Lee
Ch 2
Text 3 (Poem)
Give Yourself a Hug
by Grace Nichols
Give yourself a hug
when you feel unloved
Give yourself a hug
when people put on airs
to make you feel a bug
Give yourself a hug
when everyone seems to give you
a cold-shoulder shrug
Give yourself a hug —
a big big hug
And keep on singing
‘Only one in a million like me Only one in
a million-billion-trillion-zillion
like me.'
Ch 2
Text 5 (Personal Letter)
Dear Aunt Annie
I'm writing to you as I think I'm suffering
from stress. Recently I've been feeling really anxious and I can't concentrate
at school. I'm short-tempered too — I often find myself getting angry at people
over minor things.
I've also been sleeping really badly. I lie
awake for hours most nights, so I'm tired all the time. This doesn't help at
school either.
When I spoke to a friend, she told me to
try sleeping pills and said she could get me some. Another friend told me to
have some of my dad's whisky before I go to bed at Inight. I'm pretty sure this
is not good advice — I mean, if I took drugs or used alcohol, is my parents
would be very upset. But I'm tempted because things really can't go on this way
any longer.
What should I do, Aunt Annie? I'm
desperate.
Pattie
Ch 2
Text 6 (Letter of Advice)
Dear Pattie
Thank you for your letter. I'm very sorry
to hear about your problems and I hope I can give you some advice that will
help you.
You mentioned you were feeling stressed.
This is quite a common problem amongst secondary students, but don't worry —
there are things you can do about it. co you do much exercise? A sports
scientist once advised me to do regular exercise. She said that physical
activity releases chemicals in your brain called endorphins which help you to
feel happy. You don't have to do exercise every day to get these benefits, so
you ought to give it a try. I think you should also try some deep-breathing
exercises. If you feel anxious or angry, go somewhere quiet and take a few deep
breaths. This will help you to relax.
You also said that you're not sleeping
well. If I were you, I would loot: at my bedroom. make sure it's dart: and
quiet. You should also think about what you do before you go to bed. You
mustn't drink coffee or other drinks that contain caffeine — definitely Keep
you awake. You also have to get into the habit of doing something restful
before going to bed. You could read a boot:k or listen to relaxing music. You
shouldn't ever play video games at night as they don't help you wind down.
As
for taking sleeping pills or drinking alcohol, you
must ignore this suggestion. You should never take prescription drugs without
medical advice, as they can be dangerous. Nor is alcohol the answer to your
problems. It's bad for your health and won't help with your sleeping problems.
Of course, drinking alcohol at your age is also illegal. I'd have a cup of
chamomile tea if I were you — it'll help you to relax.
I hope this advice is valuable. Please
write to me again if you need any more help.
Aunt Annie
