Healthy Crossword PuzzlesExtracted from ClassHelper.org and

KidsHealth.orgAdapted by Ms. LoPi

WORD CHOICES for the CROSSWORD PUZZLE on KEEPING A HEALTHY SMILE

SUGAR – THREADERS – BRUSHING – BACTERIAFLUORIDE – PLAQUE -- FLOSSING

Across Clues 2. food particles. needs to be brushed and flossed away4. causes cavities and always present in the mouth5. help to floss teeth with braces7. should be done in a c-shape form

Down Clues 1. is in mouth rinse and in most water systems. help keep teeth strong3. should be done at a 45 degree angle6. if not brushed off can lead to decay

What Causes Bad Breath?

If you're concerned about bad breath, make sure you're taking care of your teeth and mouth properly.

Some sugar-free gums and mints temporarily mask odors. Bad breath, or halitosis, can be a major

problem, especially when you're about to snuggle with your sweetie or whisper a joke to your friend.

The good news is that bad breath can often be prevented with some simple steps.

Bad breath is caused by odor-producing bacteria that grow in the mouth. When you don't brush and

floss regularly, bacteria accumulate on the bits of food left in your mouth and between your teeth. The

sulfur compounds released by these bacteria make your breath smell.

Certain foods, especially ones like garlic and onions that contain pungent oils, can contribute to bad

breath because the oils are carried to your lungs and out through your mouth. Smoking is also a major

cause of bad breath.

There are lots of myths about taking care of bad breath. Here are three things you may have heard

about bad breath that are not true:

Myth #1: Mouthwash will make bad breath go away.

Mouthwash only gets rid of bad breath temporarily. If you do use mouthwash, look for an antiseptic

(kills the germs that cause bad breath) and plaque-reducing one with a seal from the American Dental

Association (ADA). When you're deciding which dental products to toss into your shopping cart, it's

always a good idea to look for those that are accepted by the ADA. Also, ask your dentist for

recommendations.

Myth #2: As long as you brush your teeth, you shouldn't have bad breath.

The truth is that most people only brush their teeth for 30 to 45 seconds, which just doesn't cut it. To

sufficiently clean all the surfaces of your teeth, you should brush for at least 2 minutes at least twice a

day. Remember to brush your tongue, too — bacteria love to hang out there. It's equally important to

floss because brushing alone won't remove harmful plaque and food particles that become stuck

between your teeth and gums.

Myth #3: If you breathe into your hand, you'll know when you have bad breath.

Wrong! When you breathe, you don't use your throat the same way you do when you talk. When you

talk, you tend to bring out the odors from the back of your mouth (where bad breath originates), which

simply breathing doesn't do. Also, because we tend to get used to our own smells, it's hard for a

person to tell if he or she has bad breath.

If you're concerned about bad breath, make sure you're taking care of your teeth and mouth properly.

Some sugar-free gums and mints can temporarily mask odors, too.

If you brush and floss properly and visit your dentist for regular cleanings, but your bad breath

persists, you may have a medical problem like sinusitis or gum disease. Call your doctor or dentist if

you suspect a problem. They can figure out if something else is behind your bad breath and help you

take care of it.

WORD CHOICES for CROSSWORD PUZZLE ON CHARACTER VALUES

EMPATHY – PERSERVERANCE – DETERMINATION – RESPONSIBILITY RESPECT – COMPASSION – SELF DISCIPLINE – INTEGRITY

Across Clues 2. quality of your character; how you act when no one's looking4. understanding of emotional state, feeling someone’s pain5. power to make up your own mind on how to act6. should be a natural response, concern for a harmonious relationship with society7. training that one gives themselves to accomplish a task

Down Clues 1. reliability or dependability3. commitment to hard work; endurance

8. recognizing another’s state of mind or emotion, walking a mile in their shoes

IS IT RIGHT OR WRONG?

As you grow older, you'll be faced with some challenging decisions. Some don't have a clear right or

wrong answer. Making decisions on your own is hard enough, but when other people get

involved and try to pressure you one way or another it can be even harder. People who are

your age, like your classmates, are called peers. When they try to influence how you act, to get you to

do something, it's called peer pressure. Let's talk about how to handle it.

Peers influence your life, even if you don't realize it, just by spending time with you. You learn from

them, and they learn from you. It's only human nature to listen to and learn from other people in your

age group. Peers can have a positive influence on each other. Sometimes peers influence each other in

negative ways.

Some kids give in to peer pressure because they want to be liked, to fit in, or because they worry that

other kids may make fun of them if they don't go along with the group. Others may go along because

they are curious to try something new that others are doing. The idea that "everyone's doing it" may

influence some kids to leave their better judgment, or their common sense, behind.

It is tough to be the only one who says "no" to peer pressure, but you can do it. Paying attention to

your own feelings and beliefs about what is right and wrong can help you know the right thing to do.

Inner strength and self-confidence can help you stand firm, walk away, and resist doing

something when you know better.

It can really help to have at least one other peer, or friend, who is willing to say "no," too. This takes a

lot of the power out of peer pressure and makes it much easier to resist. It's great to have friends

with values similar to yours who will back you up when you don't want to do something.

You've probably had a parent or teacher advise you to "choose your friends wisely." Peer pressure is a

big reason why they say this. If you choose friends who don't use drugs, cut class, smoke cigarettes, or

lie to their parents, then you won't do these things either, even if other kids do. Try to help a friend

who's having trouble resisting peer pressure. It can be powerful for one kid to join another by simply

saying, "I'm with you - let's go."

Peer pressure is not always a bad thing. For example, positive peer pressure can be used to pressure

bullies into acting better toward other kids. If enough kids get together, peers can pressure each

other into doing what's right!

WORD CHOICES for CROSSWORD PUZZLE on HEALTHY LIVING

OMEGA – PROTEIN – KIDNEYS -- DIGESTION – NUTRIENTS -- HYDRATED ACTIVE – FIBRE -- SUGAR – VEGETARIAN – HEALTHY -- FRUIT

Across Clues 1. if we eat well and exercise we will be considered----3. Oranges and apples are types of ------?4. A person who eats only food of plant origin7. we need water to stay-------?8. this helps move food through the digestive tract9. Process by which body breaks down food10. helps in the growth and repair of the muscle tissues12. When food is labeled unsweetened it has no added -----?

Down Clues 2. Healthy living involves keeping -- (moving about) 5. Substances in food needed for growth, repair and energy6. Remove wastes and toxins from the body11. Fish is rich in this fatty acid -3

EAT AND DRINK GOOD STUFF

Though they have a bad reputation among some kids, vegetables can be delicious. The trick to

eating more of them is to try different types prepared in different ways. Don't like green beans?

Have you had them drizzled with lemon butter or topped with crunchy almonds? Would you like to dip

one in ketchup? Go ahead and try it.

Some kids find it easier to fit in some fruit, but many still aren't having enough. If you'd like to boost

fruit in your diet, try to find a new one to like. Cruise the grocery store or go to a farmer's

market with your mom or dad. What looks good to you? Just ask your mom or dad to buy one. If you

like it, you can buy more next time. For fruit that's easier to eat, check out prepackaged fruits at the

store. That's an easy way to buy a single serving of a fruit — and it's sealed tight so you can toss it in

your backpack or lunchbox.

Why are grown-ups always pushing the fruits and veggies? Because they contain vitamins,

minerals, and fiber — all of which keep you healthy and growing just the way you should. Did you

eat any fruits and vegetables today? If so, how many?

← Breakfast is good for everyone. After a long night of snoozing, your body needs some fuel to

← start the day.

Kids aren't just deciding what to eat; they're choosing drinks, too. Drinks count, just like food, so it's

important to choose the best ones. Water and milk are the best drinks for kids and lots of kids choose

them.

Other kids choose sports drinks, soda, pop, or a fruit-flavored drink. These can be once-in-a-while

drinks, but they're not good for every day. Why? They have a lot of sugar, which means a lot of

calories. Remember, water has 0 calories! These sweet drinks also may lack the vitamins and minerals

found in milk and 100% juice.

We wonder why some kids are interested in eating healthy and other kids aren't. It turns out that kids

eat more fruits and vegetables if their families talked to them about healthy eating. That makes sense.

When parents are interested in nutritional choices for their family, they will make it easier

for their kids to eat fruits and vegetables. The truth is that this works best when kids and

parents share the responsibility of eating healthy.

So keep on choosing healthy foods and consider going on a taste adventure. What's a taste

adventure? When you try a new food!

WORD CHOICES for the CROSSWORD on PERSONAL HYGIENE

SWEAT – BATHE – ACNE – CLEANCLOTHES – HEALTHY – PERSPIRATION – PORESWASH – HYGIENE – SHOWER – FLOSS – DEODORANT – SOAP -- TOOTHPASTE

TOOTHBRUSH – STINK – CLEAN -- SHAMPOO

Across Clues 1. what goes on your toothbrush3. what goes under your arms4. what you should do at least once per day7. what you do to your face8. another name for sweat10. what you should put on every day12. you can do this or shower14. what you use in the shower with shampoo

Down Clues 1. used to clean your teeth at least twice per day2. string used between your teeth5. taking care of your body - keeping clean6. what happens when you don't take a shower8. small openings on your skin9. how you feel if you take care of your body10. how you look if you take care of your body11. used to wash your hair13. blemishes on your skin14. what happens when you work hard physically

Hygiene Basics

Puberty causes all kinds of changes in your body. Your skin and scalp may suddenly get oily very

easily. Every day it seems you have new hair growing in different places. At times, you seem to sweat

for no reason — and you may notice there are odors where you never had them before. What should

you do about it? These bodily changes are a normal part of becoming an adult. Read below for

information on some hygiene basics — and learn how to deal with greasy hair, perspiration, and body

hair.

Oily Hair

Washing your hair every day or every other day can help control oily hair. Dozens of shampoos are

available in drugstores and supermarkets for you to choose from — most brands are pretty similar,

although you might want to try one that is specially formulated for oily hair. Use warm water and a

small amount of shampoo to work up a lather. Don't scrub or rub too hard — this doesn't get rid of oil

any better and can irritate your scalp or damage your hair. After you've rinsed, you can follow up with

a conditioner if you like; again, one for oily hair might work best.

When you're styling your hair, pay close attention to the products you use. Some styling gels or lotions

can add extra grease to your hair, which defeats the purpose of washing it in the first place! Look for

formulas that say "greaseless" or "oil free.”

Sweat and Body Odor

The best way to keep clean is to bathe or shower every day using a mild soap and warm water. This

will help wash away any bacteria that contribute to the smells. Wearing clean clothes, socks, and

underwear each day can also help you to feel clean. If you sweat a lot, you might find that shirts, T-

shirts, socks, and underwear made from cotton or other natural materials will help absorb sweat more

effectively.

If you're concerned about the way your underarms smell, you can try using a deodorant or deodorant

with antiperspirant. Deodorants get rid of the odor of sweat by covering it up, and antiperspirants

actually stop or dry up perspiration. They come in sticks, roll-ons, gels, sprays, and creams and are

available at any drugstore or supermarket.

WORD CHOICES for the CROSSWORD PUZZLE on Your Food & You

OATMEAL – SLEEP – MEATS – TOMATOES – BROCCOLI SALMONELLA – ORGANIC – VEGETABLES -- CARROTS

Across Clues 2. Eating them makes your skin and eyes healthier.3. Vegetable rich in calcium, which is good for your bones.4. Rich in nutrients and fiber and comes from roots, leaves, and stems.6. Provide protein and build up your body8. Healthy hot breakfast food which gives you fiber

Down Clues 1. a bacteria often found in eggs and chicken which can make you sick5. grows on vines, used in salads but is really a fruit7. You will be cranky, tired and unable to learn if you don't get enough.8. Food grown without fertilizers, hormones and other harmful chemicals.

Eating Well While Eating Out

Tips for Eating At a Restaurant

Most restaurant portions are way larger than the average serving of food at home. Ask for half

portions, share an entrée with a friend, or take half of your dish home.

Here are some other restaurant survival tips:

← Ask for sauces and salad dressings on the side and use them sparingly.

← Use salsa and mustard instead of mayonnaise or oil.← Ask for olive or canola oil instead of butter, margarine, or shortening.← Use nonfat or low fat milk instead of whole milk or cream.← Order baked, broiled, or grilled (not fried) lean meats including turkey, chicken, seafood, or

sirloin steak.← Salads and vegetables make healthier side dishes than French fries. Use a small amount of

sour cream instead of butter if you order a baked potato.← Choose fresh fruit instead of sugary, high-fat desserts.

Tips for Eating At the Mall or Fast-Food Place

It's tempting to pig out while shopping, but with a little planning, it's easy to eat healthy foods at the

mall. Here are some choices:

← a single slice of veggie pizza

← grilled, not fried, sandwiches (for example, a grilled chicken breast sandwich)

← deli sandwiches on whole-grain bread

← a small hamburger

← a bean burrito

← a baked potato

← a side salad

← frozen yogurt

Choose the smaller sizes, especially when it comes to drinks and snacks if you have a craving for

something unhealthy, try sharing the food you crave with a friend.

WORD CHOICES for the CROSSWORD PUZZLE on HEALTHY FOODS

LETTUCE – APPLE -- PLANTAIN – CHICKEN – CELERY -- BACON – OLIVE OIL ORANGES – CORN – WATERMELON – CREANBERRIES – FRIED FOODS – MILK

OATMEAL – AVACADO -- YOGURT

Across Clues 1. a healthy breakfast food made from grains6. full of antioxidants, made on thanksgiving8. a serving size is an ear10. a very good greasy substance12. a vegetable that has no calories14. fruit that looks like a banana15. you make salad with this

Down Clues 2. full of good fat3. these are very bad for you; no matter what it is4. served at picnics, pink and fruity5. this fruit has a lot of vitamin c7. this food contains 70% fat and is not healthy8. a meat full of protein9. full of calcium, good for your bones11. a fruit full of fiber13. a healthy dairy you can mix fruit with

5 Ways to Get Your 5 a Day

You may have heard that you should eat 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day — which works out to

a total of about 2½ cups. But there are no limits on the quantities of tasty fruits and veggies you can

enjoy — unless, of course, you load 'em up with butter or dressing, or deep-fry them! But many of us

still find it hard to fit fruit and veggies into our meals.

Here are some ideas to help you get into the 5-a-day (or more!) habit:

1. Start with the first meal of the day. Plan to eat a serving or two of fruit with breakfast

every day. Mix it up so you don't get bored. Half a grapefruit, an apple, or a handful of

berries on your cereal are all good choices. Orange juice counts too — but only if you drink

one small glass of 100% juice. Continue this pattern by eating vegetables at lunch and at

dinner.

2. Get extra energy from fruit or vegetable snacks. The carbohydrates in fruit and

vegetables are great sources of energy. Combine them with a serving of protein — such as

a piece of cheese, a cup of yogurt, or a tablespoon of peanut butter, and you get staying

power too. Ants on a log, anyone?

3. Double up on fruit and veggie servings. Recommended servings of fruit and veggies

can be small. Unlike other foods, it's OK to double the serving size of fruit or vegetables.

Serve yourself a 1-cup portion of broccoli or tomatoes instead of the standard serving of ½

cup.

4. Use fruit and vegetables as ingredients. Enjoy bread? Bake up a batch of zucchini

bread and get your veggies along with your grains! Use applesauce instead of oil in your

baked goods. Chop up veggies (peppers, carrots, celery) and toss them into your favorite

chili recipe. If you don't like vegetables much, sneak them into foods you do enjoy (like

grating carrots into tomato sauce or, again, zucchini into bread). It's a great way to get

your veggies without having to taste them!

5. Try a new fruit, vegetable, or recipe each week. Our bodies like variety. So set a goal

to try something different each week. You may find a new favorite. One good way to get

variety is to eat the fruit and veggies that are in season in your area. They usually taste

better than the bland fruit salad or shriveled apples you're used to seeing in the cafeteria!

WORD CHOICES for the CROSSWORD PUZZLE on HEALTHY HABITS REVIEW

MEATANDBEANS – BREAKFAST – MILK – SIXTY – PROTEIN – COACHCONORHEALTHY – WHOLE – NUTRITIONFACTS – FRUITJUICE – WATER – GRAINS

BONES – VEGETABLES – QUIET – NINE

Across Clues 3. ___________ is great to keep you hydrated.4. We can find out how healthy a food is by looking at the _________ label.8. Following all 7 Daily Healthy Habits keeps me ___________.9. The best sleeping environment is cool, dark, and ______.11. The meat and beans group is best known for ______, which help build strong muscles.12. Calcium helps to build strong teeth and ________.14. This healthy drink is loaded with calcium.15. Eggs belong to the _________ food group.

Down Clues 1. Cereal is a great breakfast food and belongs to the _________ food group.2. 100% ____________ is a great healthy drink.3. The healthiest type of grains is ________ grains.5. My favorite teacher is ___________. :)6. We need 3 servings of ___________ each day.7. We need __________ minutes of physical activity.10. This is the most important meal of the day.13. We need at least ________ hours of sleep each night.

5 Ways to Reach (& Maintain) a Healthy Weight

Diets aren't the way to go when it comes to losing weight. That's because they create

temporary eating patterns — and, therefore, temporary results. Most dieters gain back any

lost weight when they go back to their old eating habits. So what's the best way to drop

excess weight? Create a new normal!

Weight loss is most likely to be successful when people change their habits, replacing old,

unhealthy ones with new, healthy behaviors. Here are 5 ways to make that happen:

1. Exercise. Regular physical activity burns calories and builds muscle — both of which help you look and feel good and keep weight off. Walking the family dog, cycling to school, and doing other things that increase your daily level of activity can all make a difference. If you want to burn more calories, increase the intensity of your workout and add some strength exercises to build muscle. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn, even when you aren't exercising.

2. Reduce screen time. One reason people get less exercise these days is because of an increase in "screen time" — the amount of time spent watching TV, looking at the computer, or playing video games. Limit recreational screen time to less than 2 hours per day. If you're with friends at the mall, you're getting more exercise than if you're IMing them from your room.

3. Watch out for portion distortion. Serving sizes have increased over the past 10 years, and these extra calories contribute to obesity. Another key factor in weight gain is that more people drink sugary beverages, such as sodas, juice drinks, and sports drinks. So choose smaller portions (or share restaurant portions) and go for water or low-fat milk instead of soda.

4. Eat 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day. Fruits and veggies are about more than just vitamins and minerals. They're also packed with fiber, which means they fill you up. And when you fill up on fruits and veggies, you're less likely to overeat when it comes to high-calorie foods like chips or cookies.

5. Don't skip breakfast. Breakfast kick-starts your metabolism, burning calories from the get-go and giving you energy to do more during the day. People who skip breakfast often feel so hungry that they eat more later on. So they get more calories than they would have if they ate breakfast. In fact, people who skip breakfast tend to have higher BMIs than people who eat breakfast.

WORD CHOICES for the CROSSWORD PUZZLE on HEALTHY NUTRITION

CHEESE – CARROTS – CINNAMON – RED GRAPES – BERRIES – MILK ALMONDS – TUNA FISH – GREEN TEA – YOGURT

Across Clues 2. This beverage is critical for bone growth and strength.6. This fruit reduces inflammation and promotes a healthy heart.7. This vegetable is good for the eyes.9. This food contains omega-3 fats which boost brain development and reduce heart disease.

Down Clues 1. These crunchy snacks help lower cholesterol.3. These rank among the most powerful of fruits.4. This beverage improves memory and learning abilities.5. This food promotes intestinal health and boosts immunity.7. This spice aids in digestion.8. This food helps prevent cavity formation.

BE A FIT KID

Being fit is a way of saying a person eats well, gets a lot of physical activity (exercise), and has a

healthy weight. If you're fit, your body works well, feels good, and can do all the things you want to do,

like run around with your friends.

Eat a Variety of Foods, Especially Fruits and Vegetables

You may have a favorite food, but the best choice is to eat a variety. If you eat different foods, you're

more likely to get the nutrients your body needs. Taste new foods and old ones you haven't tried for a

while. Some foods, such as green veggies, are more pleasing the older you get. Shoot for at least five

servings of fruits and vegetables a day — two fruits and three vegetables.

Drink Water and Milk Most Often

When you're really thirsty, cold water is the No. 1 thirst-quencher. And there's a reason your school

cafeteria offers cartons of milk. Kids need calcium to build strong bones, and milk is a great source of

this mineral.

You probably will want something other than milk or water once in a while, so it's OK to have 100%

juice, too. But try to limit sugary drinks, like sodas, juice cocktails, and fruit punches. They contain a lot

of added sugar. Sugar just adds calories, not important nutrients.

Listen to Your Body

What does it feel like to be full? When you're eating, notice how your body feels and when your

stomach feels comfortably full. Sometimes, people eat too much because they don't notice when they

need to stop eating. Eating too much can make you feel uncomfortable and, over a period of time; can

lead to unhealthy weight gain.

Be Active

One job you have as a kid — and it's a fun one — is that you get to figure out which activities you like

best. Not everyone loves baseball or soccer. Maybe your passion is karate, or kickball, or dancing. Ask

your parents to help you do your favorite activities regularly. Find ways to be active every day. You

might even write down a list of fun stuff to do, so you can refer to it when your mom or dad says it's

time to stop watching TV or playing computer games.

WORD CHOICES for the CROSSWORD PUZZLE on Just Say No SHARE – BALANCE – ILLEGAL – TEETH – DECISIONS – INHALANTS – SMOKE – DRUGS

-- CHEWING TOBACCO – PRESCRIPTION – BREATHE – ALCOHOL -- CIGARETTES

Across Clues 3. Cigarette smoking reduces your ability to _____ deeply.5. Damages the delicate tissues of your mouth.8. Drinking too much can cause you to make bad ____________.10. Marijuana, cocaine, heroin are examples of ___ drugs.12. We NEVER ______ drugs given to us by our doctor with anyone else.

Down Clues 1. _______ slows down the brain and body.2. These drugs, given to us by our doctor are okay.4. Sniffing glue, paint thinners and gasoline fumes.5. _______ causes lung cancer, heart disease, and other sickness.6. Smoking stains your _______ and fingers.7. Drinking can effect your vision and cause you to lose you ________.9. ____ may irritate eyes, making them sore.11. ______ are substances that are toxic to our bodies.

Why People Take Drugs or Alcohol

And just as there are many kinds of drugs available, there are as many reasons for trying them or

starting to use them regularly. People take drugs just for the pleasure they believe they can bring.

Often it's because someone tried to convince them that drugs would make them feel good or that

they'd have a better time if they took them.

Some teens believe drugs will help them think better, be more popular, stay more active, or become

better athletes. Others are simply curious and figure one try won't hurt. Others want to fit in. A few use

drugs to gain attention from their parents.

Many teens use drugs because they're depressed or think drugs will help them escape their problems.

The truth is, drugs don't solve problems — they simply hide feelings and problems. When a drug wears

off, the feelings and problems remain, or become worse. Drugs can ruin every aspect of a person's life.

Alcohol

The oldest and most widely used drug in the world, alcohol is a depressant that alters perceptions,

emotions, and senses.

How It's Used: Alcohol is a liquid that is drunk.

Effects & Dangers:

← Alcohol first acts as a stimulant, and then it makes people feel relaxed and a bit sleepy.

← High doses of alcohol seriously affect judgment and coordination. Drinkers may have slurred speech, confusion, depression, short-term memory loss, and slow reaction times.

← Large volumes of alcohol drunk in a short period of time may cause alcohol poisoning.

Addictiveness: Teens who use alcohol can become psychologically dependent upon it to feel good,

deal with life, or handle stress. In addition, their bodies may demand more and more to achieve the

same kind of high experienced in the beginning. Some teens are also at risk of becoming physically

addicted to alcohol. Withdrawal from alcohol can be painful and even life threatening. Symptoms

range from shaking, sweating, nausea, anxiety, and depression to hallucinations, fever, and

convulsion.

WORD CHOICES for the CROSSWORD PUZZLE on ANGER MANAGEMENT

TIME OUT – CHOICE – TECHNIQUES – REVENGE – PREVENTION – FEAR -- HOT THOUGHTS COOL THOUGHTS – FORGIVENESS – SELF HATE -- I STATEMENTS – RESENTMENT

MEDITATION – RESOLUTION – BEHAVIOR

Across Clues 1. Holding a grudge against someone because of something they've done3. Anger turned inward6. Ideas you think that help keep you calm9. Finding ways to keep from getting unnecessarily angry11. Settling a problem14. Relaxation __________15. Leaving a situation before you do something aggressive: "Taking a _______"

Down Clues 2. To reflect or contemplate4. These are feelings-oriented and allow you to tell someone what you want directly5. An essential part of letting go of anger and moving on with someone7. Ideas you think to yourself that instantly get you angry8. The actions or reactions of a person10. An unhealthy way of getting someone back12. Anger is a ______; you can decide to give in to it or not13. An emotion that can co-exist with, or lead to, anger

The Five-Step Approach to Managing Anger

If something happens that makes you feel angry, this approach can help you manage your reaction.

It's called a problem-solving approach because you start with the problem you're mad about. Then you

weigh your choices and decide what you'll do. Each step involves asking yourself a couple of

questions, and then answering them based on your particular situation.

1) Identify the problem (self-awareness). Start by noticing what you're angry about and

why. Put into words what's making you upset so you can act rather than react. Ask yourself: What's

got me angry? What am I feeling and why? You can do this either in your mind or out loud, but it needs

to be clear and specific.

2) Think of potential solutions before responding (self-control). This is where you stop

for a minute to give yourself time to manage your anger. It's also where you start thinking of how you

might react — but without reacting yet. Ask yourself: What can I do? Think of at least three things.

3) Consider the consequences of each solution (think it through). This is where you

think about what is likely to result from each of the different reactions you came up with. Ask

yourself: What will happen for each one of these options?

4) Make a decision (pick one of your options). This is where you take action by choosing

one of the 3 things you could do. Look at the list and pick the one that is likely to be most effective.

Ask yourself: What's my best choice? Once you choose your solution, then it's time to act.

5) Check your progress. After you've acted and the situation is over, spend some time thinking

about how it went. Ask yourself: How did I do? Did things work out as I expected? If not, why not? Am

I satisfied with the choice I made?

Taking some time to reflect on how things worked out after it's all over is a very important step. It

helps you learn about yourself and it allows you to test which problem-solving approaches work best in

different situations.

Give yourself a pat on the back if the solution you chose worked out well. If it didn't, go back through

the five steps and see if you can figure out why. These five steps are pretty simple when you're calm,

but are much tougher to work through when you're angry or sad. So it helps to practice over and over

again.

WORD CHOICES for the CROSSWORD PUZZLE on STRESS MANAGEMENT

GOAL -- DANGER – FINANCES – TRAFFIC – FALSE – EMOTIONALTHOUGHTS -- BEHAVIORAL – PHYSICAL – PLAN – VISUALIZATION

DRUGS – PHYSIOLOGICAL -- PRESSURE

Across Clues 5. This is another category of stress (hint: Your ____) 6. _____ is a relaxation technique.10. All stress is bad (true or false).11. ____ is an example of a social stressor.12. A change is appetite may be a _____ symptom of stress.13. A stress management plan should first include a ____.

Down Clues 1. Stress is referred to as _____. 2. Snapping at people is a ___ symptom of stress.3. Feeling rejected is an ______symptom of stress.4. This is a category of stress.7. Alcohol and ____ may cause problems and lead to more stress.8. ___ is an example of Environmental stressor.9. Stress is an automatic reaction to a demand or ____.12. Developing a Stress Management ____ helps to bring stress under control.

Keep Stress Under Control

What can you do to deal with stress overload or, better yet, to avoid it in the first place? The most

helpful method of dealing with stress is learning how to manage the stress that comes along with any

new challenge, good or bad. Here are some things that can help keep stress under control:

← Be realistic. Don't try to be perfect — no one is. If you need help on something, like schoolwork,

ask for it.

← Get a good night's sleep. Getting enough sleep helps keep your body and mind in top shape,

making you better equipped to deal with any negative stressors. Because the biological "sleep

clock" shifts during adolescence, many teens prefer staying up a little later at night and sleeping a

little later in the morning. But if you stay up late and still need to get up early for school, you may

not get all the hours of sleep you need.

← Learn to relax. The body's natural antidote to stress is called the relaxation response. It's your

body's opposite of stress, and it creates a sense of well-being and calm. The chemical benefits of

the relaxation response can be activated simply by relaxing. You can help trigger the relaxation

response by learning simple breathing exercises and then using them when you're caught up in

stressful situations. And ensure you stay relaxed by building time into your schedule for activities

that are calming and pleasurable: reading a good book or making time for a hobby, spending time

with your pet, or just taking a relaxing bath.

← Treat your body well. Experts agree that getting regular exercise helps people manage stress.

And eat well to help your body get the right fuel to function at its best. It's easy when you're

stressed out to eat on the run or eat junk food or fast food. But under stressful conditions, the

body needs its vitamins and minerals more than ever.

← Watch what you're thinking. Your outlook, attitude, and thoughts influence the way you see

things. A healthy dose of optimism can help you make the best of stressful circumstances. Even if

you're out of practice, or tend to be a bit of a pessimist, everyone can learn to think more

optimistically and reap the benefits.

← Solve the little problems. Learning to solve everyday problems can give you a sense of control.

But avoiding them can leave you feeling like you have little control and that just adds to stress.

Develop skills to calmly look at a problem, figure out options, and take some action toward a

solution. Feeling capable of solving little problems builds the inner confidence to move on to life's

bigger ones — and it and can serve you well in times of stress.