HEALTH, FITNESS, & WELLNESS UNIT 4 |58 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

Social and emotional learning Social and emotional skills are initially developed in childhood, but learning continues through adulthood. 5 areas of social and emotional learning Self-awareness ■ Self-management ■ Communication and leadership ■ Executive function ■ Social awareness definition of self-awareness Individuals ability to recognize their own emotions and related reactions. key skills: recognizing emotions, self-efficacy, and growth mindset. definition of self-management Individuals' ability to regulate their emotions in different situations, control impulses, set goals, and manage stress. key skills: stress management, goal-setting, and self-discipline. definition of communication and leadership The process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior; focuses on a one-to-one dynamic. It means actively listening, empathizing, collaborating and cooperating, respecting diversity, and taking the initiative to solve problems. Also the ability to develop strong personal and professional relationships. key skills: empathy, conflict resolution, and team work and collaboration. definition of executive function The higher-order mental processes that enable individuals to manage complex tasks such as organizing and planning, remembering information, problem solving, regulating emotions, and controlling cognitive flexibility. key skills: adaptability, problem-solving, and self-directed learning. definition of social awareness The ability to engage, react, and respond to a diverse population in a variety of social situations. Also involves the ability to look outward and consider the needs of others and the world at large. key skills: sociability, appreciation for diversity, and responsibility to others. key characteristics of SEL The skills are part of the affective domain, which is about emotions and emotional regulation. ■ They have practical applications to school, work, and other environments. ■ The skills can be learned and developed throughout life. ■ They are learned in both formal and informal settings. ■ They are measurable, and progress can be tracked. ways SEL skills are beneficial at work, school, home, and community Work: Fosters positive relationships and resolves conflicts. Helps people become better communicators, leaders, and collaborators in diverse working environments. School: Foundation for developing self-awareness, self-management, and a growth mindset, all of which are important to lifelong learning. Home: Improves family relationships by becoming better listeners and communicators. Be more patient, compassionate, and amiable. Community: Become more socially and culturally active in their communities and lead to opportunities to contribute to society at large. Social and Emotional Learning Benefits 1. Improved overall health, including stress reduction 2. Reduction in unhealthy behaviors 3. Improved academic performance 4. Increased productivity at work 5. Increased empathy and social awareness 6. Improved ability to contribute to the community 7. Improved ability to adapt to rapid change 8. Stronger professional and personal relationships characteristics of self-awareness Characteristics: Recognize and regulate emotions. ■ Reflect on feelings and how feelings affect behavior. ■ Identify healthy and unhealthy behaviors and habits. ■ Show appreciation for own and others' efforts. ■ Believe in ability to learn and to set and achieve goals. ■ View mistakes or failures as opportunities. ■ Believe that skills and abilities can be improved over time. ■ Know strengths and values and what motivates them. benefits of being self-aware Respond to situations in more productive ways. ■ Make better, healthier decisions and identify healthy or unhealthy habits. ■ Improves own well-being and their relationships with others. ■ Evaluate and learn from mistakes and avoid repeating them. ■ Increases chance of success ■ Motivation to put forth the effort it takes to learn and change. ■ Make decisions that reflect what is important and accomplish their goals. 3 skills associated with self-awareness recognizing emotions, self-efficacy, and a growth mindset. recognizing emotions The ability to distinguish between various emotional states and the impact they have on one's physiological state, behavior, and attitudes. Example behavior: knowing why you feel the way you do. emotions vs. feelings Emotions are physical responses to an event that are experienced in the body and not necessarily rational. They are universal across cultures. The traditional six emotions are anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise. Feelings are reactions to emotions. Feelings are personal and based on experiences. Emotions trigger feelings. Example: two people can experience the same emotion, sadness, and have different feelings as a result. One person may feel lonely while another may feel incompetent or unable to do anything. self-efficacy One's own belief in their ability to achieve goals and complete tasks and possess a willingness to incorporate behaviors that reinforce this belief. Example behavior: Even though I am struggling, I believe in my ability to.... growth mindset The belief that through thoughts, behaviors, and language, one can develop and improve their skills and abilities over time, and these are not "fixed" based on natural intellect or talent. Example behavior: continually try to improve, not dissuaded by failures, apply new strategy when fail, resilient, ask for help, learn from mistakes. growth mindset vs. fixed mindset People who have a growth mindset know they are capable of learning and overcoming challenges through effort and strategic problem solving. They are determined and not easily discouraged. However, people with a fixed mindset believe that things like talent and intelligence are innate and that people are successful because of a trait they were born with and not because of their own efforts and hard work. self-management and its characteristics Self-management is the ability to accept responsibility for, be accountable for, and effectively manage one's own emotions, behavior, actions, and well-being. People who apply self-management skills are self-motivated and organized, manage their time, maintain focus, set goals, and avoid overreaction. key difference between self-management and self-awareness self-awareness focuses on the recognition and identification of emotions while self-management focuses on how people handle their emotions and their ability to modify their external behavior in response to emotions. Self-management is informed and guided by self-awareness. ways strong self-management benefits life Benefits of self-management include better relationships, improved physical and mental health, ability to focus on a task, better decision making, ability to accomplish more in less time resulting in more personal free time and less stress, and improved learning outcomes. 3 skills associated with self-management Stress management, goal setting, and self-discipline. stress management Incorporate techniques, habits, and preventative practices for managing one's own thoughts, emotional response, and physiology during stressful situations. Example behaviors: manage anxiety, maintain over-all well being, take deep breaths to calm self, meditate, get rid of negative thoughts, eliminate (if poss.) unhealthy relationships, reduce clutter, create organized environment, and have healthy habits. ways stress management skills can be used Stress can be managed by eliminating negative stressors or using stress-relieving strategies. ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY STRESSORS: Practice getting rid of negative thoughts; Recognize unhealthy relationships and discontinue when possible; and Reduce clutter and create an organized environment. USE RELIEF STRATEGIES: Practice deep breathing, counting slowly through each breath; Relax muscles one by one, noticing the changes that result; Visualize a peaceful, tranquil place; and Maintain healthy habits such as regular exercise, getting enough rest, and spending time with people you enjoy. goal-setting Identify value-based personal and professional milestones and establish a fixed timeline and action steps to achieve them. Example behaviors: SMART goals, remain organized and manage your time, providing a structure for self-discipline. SMART goals Specific Does the goal answer who, what, when, where, and why? Measurable How will I know when I've met the goal? Can I measure the goal by how often I accomplish something or how much I achieve? Achievable How realistic is the goal? What can help me reach the goal? What will help me make progress toward achieving the goal? Relevant Is the goal worthwhile? Do I have the skills or information I need, or can I get them? Does this goal align with my needs? Timely What is a reasonable schedule for my goal? What can I do today? What can I do in the next few months? self-discipline Engage in a consistent regimen of positive habits, behaviors, and self-regulation strategies in an effort to complete tasks, achieve goals, and maintain well-being. Example behaviors: know what helps you focus, resist impulses, be persistent and resilient, and self-motivated, self-monitor, good time management, can focus and preserve through challenges. (self-discipline allows you to achieve goals.) characteristics of effective interpersonal communication Use active listening skills. ■ Use appropriate verbal, written, and digital communication. ■ Develop personal and professional alliances based on empathy, trust, and respect. ■ Demonstrate care, consideration, and compassion for others. ■ Apply strategies to see others' perspectives. ■ Motivate others to achieve collective goals and mentor or coach others benefits of effective communication and leadership Reduction in misunderstandings and related mistakes. ■ Boost in self-esteem and confidence in decision-making abilities. ■ Improved morale through use of positive feedback. ■ Increased engagement and achievement. ■ Increased mutual trust and stronger relationships. ■ Sustained relationships during times of stress. ■ Fulfillment from helping others through mentoring and coaching. 3 key skills for communication and leadership Empathy, conflict resolution, and teamwork and collaboration. empathy Share, understand, and demonstrate sensitivity for the feelings and experiences of others through compassion, understanding, and perspective taking. Example behaviors: put self in another's shoes, understand another's point of view, make other's feel understood. (It is important for effective communication because it helps people understand one another.) empathy vs. sympathy Sympathy is different from empathy. Sympathy is showing concern for someone. A person who feels empathy will understand another person's feelings and relate to their experience. strategies for cultivating and increasing empathy Cultivate curiosity. Being curious about people you meet and asking questions instead of making judgments will improve your empathy. Diversify. Getting to know people who are different culturally, racially, and ethnically from you can change the way your brain perceives others and increase your empathy. Read literature. Reading quality literature that contains complex characters helps you understand people and situations that contrast what you know. conflict resolution The ability to use a variety of interpersonal communication techniques, including assertiveness, persuasion, and perspective-taking, to negotiate and resolve conflicts between individuals and teams. Example behaviors: address the conflict, collaborate to find a solution, facilitate a compromise, negotiate, active listening. teamwork and collaboration Apply effective interpersonal communication skills such as empathy, active listening, conflict resolution, and perspective-taking, to develop agency, trust, and camaraderie within collaborative team settings. Example behaviors: communicate, cooperate, and coordinate with others; creating space for imagination and innovation; brainstorm; ensuring the work is coordinated; and being adaptable to change. (team work and collaboration requires empathy and conflict resolution.) strategies for collaboration in team settings Create space for imagination and innovation. Schedule time to brainstorm and share ideas. Make sure the work is coordinated. Everyone needs to know their responsibilities and when work will get done. Be adaptable to change. Be flexible, have a back up plan, and adapt to changes as they arise. executive function and its characteristics "Executive function skills help us plan, focus attention, switch gears, and juggle multiple tasks—much like an air traffic control system at a busy airport." People with a well-developed executive function can focus on what is important, make good decisions, and organize their lives. They analyze information and situations to creatively solve problems instead of impulsively reacting to them. They use their organizational skills to remember information and make plans. They can follow through on goals while remaining adaptable to change. They are curious and take the initiative to learn and improve themselves throughout their lives. benefits of executive function Benefits include: make informed decisions, work toward goals, stay organized, and work effectively with others. 3 key skills of executive function Adaptability, problem solving, and self-directed learning. adaptability The ability and capacity to embrace and adapt to ambiguous conditions and change. Example behaviors: find novel solutions, easier time with change, cognitive flexibility, adapt to changing circumstances, capacity to embrace change. benefits of adaptability More likely to experiment. More likely to find unexpected solutions to problems. Learning new skills will be easier. Dealing with challenges and rebounding from adversity will be easier. Viewed as flexible and cooperative which will benefit your relationships and build your leadership capabilities. problem solving The ability to use effective solutions for identifying and resolving complex problems or issues. Example behaviors: Solve problems step-by-step. View problems objectively and from multiple perspectives or points of view. Solve a complex problem creatively and make decisions. Identify, analyze, and solve problems and evaluate the effectiveness of solutions. steps to solve a problem Define the problem. Brainstorm solutions. Evaluate options. Implement the solution or plan. Review and evaluate results. self-directed learning The process of taking the initiative, agency, and independence in the pursuit of lifelong self-improvement and professional growth. Example behaviors: Curious. Initiative to learn and improve themselves throughout their lives. Identify motivations and potential rewards for learning. Determine methods and resources, such as both formal or informal learning environments and related resources. Assess current knowledge and abilities to accurately gauge current knowledge and learning needs. Set SMART goals for learning. Use the five-hour rule to make progress. strategies to cultivate self-directed learning Identify and understand your motivations and the potential rewards. Why want to learn? What will be different when learn? ■ Assess your current knowledge or abilities to determine learning needs. ■ Set specific goals or SMART goals. Use the five-hour (1 hour a day/ 5 days a week) rule to make progress. ■ Determine methods and resources. Online class or reading and researching on your own? ■ Engage in the process. Use active learning strategies, such as taking notes when reading, and create learning activities for yourself if none are provided. ■ Monitor, practice, and reinforce the skills. how executive function skills can be applied home: executive function enables an individual to identify needed skills or knowledge, adjust to an evolving situation, and solve the problems that arise. school: executive function allows an individual to adapt as a situation evolves and direct oneself through the process to success. work: executive function allows an individual to adapt to challenging situations and solve problems. social awareness and its characteristics Social awareness is the ability to engage, react, and respond to people in a variety of social situations. Characteristics include the ability to: Interact appropriately with a variety of people ■ Engage, react, and respond appropriately in a social situation ■ Form and maintain good relationships with diverse groups of people ■ Refrain from judgment and remain open-minded ■ Adapt to a diverse workplace environment ■ Demonstrate cultural awareness and welcome differences among various individuals and groups ■ Apply ethical principles in the treatment of others social awareness vs. communication and leadership Both areas apply to relationships with others at work, at school, at home, and in the community. Social awareness focuses on these skills specifically in social situations, particularly with groups of people. Communication and leadership area focuses on interpersonal or one-to-one relationships. benefits of social awareness Experience more positive moods, such as joy. ■ More energy and interest in life. ■ Both employees and managers who are socially aware outperform their counterparts who lack these skills. ■ By forming and maintaining relationships and appreciating and understanding others, people who are socially aware contribute to the success of their businesses, organizations, and communities. cultural awareness The ability to identify and appreciate a diversity of perspectives, attitudes, values, and social norms between one's own culture and that of individuals or groups from other countries, communities, backgrounds, and belief systems. 3 key skills of social awareness Sociability, appreciation for diversity, and responsibility to others. sociability The ability to engage in social or collaborative situations with diverse groups of people in various settings, which involve communicating effectively with others while maintaining an attitude of openness and curiosity. Example behaviors: open minded, show concern for others, active listening, encourage collaboration and participation, communicate effectively while maintaining an attitude of openness and curiosity, able to get along with others, able to develop and maintain good relationships. Strategies for Strengthening Sociability Skills Warmly greet the