Your health
Your body
Don't get stressed out about yourself and who you are. Humans come in all shapes and sizes:
- Tall, Short, Round, Thin, Spotty.
- With a physical, learning or sensory disability.
- Freckled, Black, White or Brown
How you feel about yourself is more important than what you look like. Be yourself.
If you feel that you need to talk to someone about how you feel about yourself you can ring:
YPAS (youth counselling servide): 0151 707 1025.
Disability Advice and Welfare Network (visualy impaired): 0800 073 0171.
Get Active
Getting active can be as simple as:
- Kicking a football around.
- Going Swimming.
- Running around with your mates.
- Take the stairs, instead of the lift.
- Cycling to school.
- Or just going for a walk.
Getting active can:
- Help to make your body stronger.
- Give you more energy.
- Keep you fit.
- Help shape your body.
- Keep you Healthy.
- Make you feel good.
Road Safety
Whether you're walking, riding, roller blading, scooting or kick boarding you need to dress the part and be aware.
- Check your bikes tyres, brakes, reflectors and lights before you start.
- Always wear a seat belt in a car and make sure that it fits you properly.
- Find somewhere away from traffic if you want to scoot, blade or kick board.
- Don't take chances with traffic find a safe place to cross the road.
- Use reflective stripes, badges and clothes or carry a torch to make drivers aware of you.
- Wear a helmet and use cycle lanes when you're on your bike and make sure the bike's the right size for you.
Beating the Bullies
Bullies are people who pick on other people they think are weaker than themselves.
The best way to deal with bullies is to:
- Tell someone as soon as you feel able to.
- Think about getting more mates - there's safety in numbers.
- Don't flash the cash - whether its money, personal belongings or clothes.
- Try to stand your ground - If they don't think you're a push over they may go elsewhere.
- But don't fight back - You could end up in trouble.
- Practice standing up for yourself in front of a mirror.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help - Talk to someone you trust.
- Use the rules. Most schools have anti bullying policies. Use them.
- Don't let them get away with it - you are important and your feelings matter very much.
If you need help ring Childline on 0800 1111 for free confidential advice.
Cyber Bullying
Cyber Bullying is a growing issue and we suggest visiting the following web pages:
Bullying Online web site for information and support and a new site www.digizen.org with a page on Cyber Bullying including video.
Consider the following:
Always:
-
Keep your password safe and don't tell anyone else.
-
be careful in chat rooms. Just because it says that it's only for young people, there's no way to tell if only young people are using it. It might be someone trying to trick you.
-
use a nickname instead of your real name in chat rooms, or when chatting with anyone on the Internet.
-
if someone says something that makes you feel uncomfortable or worried, then leave the chat room. Make sure you tell someone, like your Mum or Dad, carer, teacher, youth worker or friend.
-
Don't give out your e-mail address. Keep it private. If you want to give out an e-mail address choose a disposable address e.g. a second Hotmail/Yahoo address.
-
Before leaving any computer remember to log out of all the sites you have logged on to. This way nobody can pretend to be you, or use services that only you're entitled to use.
Other Hints and Tips:
-
If you are chatting to people on the internet, then don't tell anyone your personal details, especially your address, telephone number or school.
-
Don't ever send anyone your picture, any of your bank details, or credit card details without first checking with a responsible adult.
-
Don't sign up for a get rich quick scheme. If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is. If not then it may end up costing you money.
-
Don't arrange to meet anyone unless your parent or carer (or a responsible friend) goes with you and you meet in a very public place with lots of people around.
-
Don't open e-mail attachments. Attachments can contain viruses or other programmes that can destroy all the information and software on your computer.
Be Sun Aware
Almost everyone likes going out in the sun. The warmth of the sun can make you feel good, especially after a long cold winter and rainy spring. But did you know:
- The main cause of skin cancer is too much exposure to the sun when your young.
- The number of cases of skin cancers are on the increase.
- Instead of making people look more attractive, regular exposure to the suns rays makes the skin age faster.
- People with light coloured skin are more at risk than people who have darker skin.
It's more important than ever before to protect your skin so:
- Don't wrinkle - Use a high factor sun cream (at least factor 20) and reapply generously and frequently.
- Stay cool find the shade - especially between 11am-3pm.
- Keep your shirt on, it's cheaper than sun cream and another effective way of protecting your skin.
- Avoid using sun beds .. but if you do use them follow the instructions and don't be tempted to over use them.