Getting Active
Requirements
- 30 minutes of class time
- Cycle of Inactivity Sheet
- Behavioral Activation Calendar
How it Works
- Review with students the cycle in which inactivity can worsen your mood, which often leads to more inactivity, and so on. Ask students to think about activities that they like that are active (i.e., NOT watching TV, reading, texting, etc.). You may wish to generate a class list of all the activities students can come up with.
- Next, have each student list 5 activities that they like to do (or used to do, or want to try). Check these and cross out any that aren’t appropriate (e.g., partying, playing video games, etc.). Students can then pick 1-2 to focus on for the coming week.
- As students set individual goals, make sure they are realistic. A student who has never gone for a run should not set a goal of running 5 times per week. Help students create reasonable, achievable goals that will boost their activity levels gradually.
- Students should identify rewards that will help motivate them. These can be things that the students typically do but agree to withhold until a goal is reached (buying a coffee), or something new (a bottle of nail polish). Help students pick rewards that will be meaningful or if you’re able, offer a class reward. Be creative!
- To help students see the link between activity and mood, ask them to record every time they do their activity and include a mood rating before and after (name the feeling, rate its strength 1-10).