Lesson video

Hello, I'm Mr. Whitehead, and welcome to the RSHE Physical lifestyle, physical fitness, and healthy eating unit.

In this lesson, we'll be looking at physical activity and how it can affect our mental wellbeing.

I hope you enjoy this lesson.

In order to complete this lesson you will need the following items. You need a piece of paper and a pen or a pencil.

This will ensure that we can complete the tasks throughout the lesson.

Let's have a look at the agenda for this lesson.

So first of all you should have already done the intro quiz.

We are then going to look at some keywords that you will need throughout this lesson.

We'll then look at the chemicals and hormones that our brain releases when we are active.

Then we will look at the additional benefits to a mental wellbeing.

And this comes through exercise.

And finally, once we finish the lesson, you need to head over and do the exit quiz.

Okay, let's start with the lesson.

So let's start with the keywords.

So the first one you will need to know is endorphins.

And these are chemicals produced by the body to relieve stress and pain when we exercise.

The second one is cognitive functions and this includes the domains of perception, memory, learning, attention, decision-making and language skills.

And lastly, self-esteem.

This is a subjective evaluation of how someone perceives their own self-worth.

Now let's have a think about this question.

In a moment I'm going to ask you to pause the video and have a little think.

What does positive mental wellbeing mean to you? Use your pen and paper to come up with a few ideas and write them down.

Okay, pause the video, and once you've got a few ideas return back and we'll continue with the lesson.

Welcome back.

So let's have a look what a positive mental wellbeing means to me.

So a couple of things that I came up with was, motivated to start the day, so when I have a positive mental wellbeing I'm always motivated to start the day.

I have positive thoughts throughout the day.

Now sometimes you do have negative thoughts but they're overrided by a positive.

And I'm also sleeping well, is always a characteristic of a positive mental wellbeing to me.

Okay, let's move on.

Let's take a look at the happy hormones that our brain releases when we are physically active.

Endorphins are released when we are physically active.

And this happens when it transmits signals between neurons in our brains and this can help us have a positive mental attitude and positive thoughts.

This can also reduce the chances of anxiety levels, stress, depression, and negative moods.

There is numerous different hormones that is released in the brain and two of the others are dopamine and serotonin.

And these can regulate your mood, regulate your appetite and regulate your sleep cycles.

So if you just go out for a walk each day you will notice that you'll feel a lot more happier.

Okay, let's have a look at a question based on this information.

So in a moment, I'm going to ask you to pause the video and decide whether this statement is true or false.

As we exercise, our brains increase endorphins.

Is that true or is that false? Okay, you might want to pause the video now and have a little think.

Once you ready to continue, resume the video and we'll carry on and get the answer.

Welcome back.

Let's take a look at the answer.

The answer is of course true.

The more physically active we are the more endorphin production is encouraged.

This will lead to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

Let's have a look at another question.

Let's take a look at another question based on the happy hormones information we've just learned together.

So which of the following hormones are also encouraged during and after physical activity? Dopamine, hapiamin, activamine or serotonin? Now there's two correct answers for this question, so think carefully.

Okay, now we want you to pause the video and once you've had time to think about it resume the lesson and we'll go through the answers.

Welcome back.

Okay, let's go through the answers and find out which other two hormones are released in the brain when we are physically active.

And the answers are, dopamine and serotonin.

Well done, if you got that one right.

Dopamine, serotonin and endorphins are released from the brain when we are physically active to make us happy.

Well done.

Let's move on.

Now let's take a look at the additional benefits to our mental wellbeing when we are physically active.

So physical activity can help fight off stress and this can be done by aiding our cognitive function.

And this will help when we are completing tasks in order to avoid getting stressed over small tasks.

It can also support and reinforce friendships.

For example, walking with friends and being part of a sports team.

Just being physically active all the time can really help us have a positive mental wellbeing.

It can also improve the quality of our sleep due to physical tiredness.

So when we go and exercise, our body becomes tired and this will allow us to fall asleep a lot more easily.

And lastly, it can improve our self-esteem.

So when we feel good about ourselves we have a positive mental wellbeing.

Okay, based on this information we're going to have a look at a true or false statement.

So, supporting and reinforcing friendships can help to combat stress.

Is that true or is that false? Now you might need a bit of time to think about this.

So go ahead, pause the lesson and once you're ready to go through with the answers, resume the video and we'll carry on.

Welcome back.

Okay, let's take a look at the answers to this statement.

Supporting and reinforcing friendships can help to combat stress.

Of course it is true.

Well done, if you got that one right.

Having positive friendships and relationships through physical activity can fight off stress, by having someone to talk to and have a laugh with.

Okay, let's move on to the next part of the lesson.

We're now going to take a few moments to have a little think about this question.

How do you usually feel after physical activity? Now think back to a time when you've been physically active.

It could have been today, a few days ago, or last week.

And have a think how it made you feel.

Okay, pause the video, and once you're ready to continue with the lesson hit the play button and we'll carry on.

Welcome back.

Now let's have a look at how I usually feel when I'm physically active.

So as you can see in the picture on the screen, and this is me going for a walk in Scotland, and when I go for walks and I'm physically active, I usually feel fresh, energised, and I'm quite motivated for the day, especially if I go early in the morning for my exercise.

And I'm well aware that you've come up with plenty of different things and ways that you feel when you physically active.

Okay, let's move on to the final task.

And finally, you're now going to do an independent task that brings everything together from this lesson.

Your task is, on a piece of paper create a mind map with the things that helps with your mental wellbeing.

So this mind map is going to be personal to you.

And the things that you need to include are the things that you enjoy, which improves your mental wellbeing and how they make you feel.

If you'd like to, add as much colour as you like to make it look presentable.

When you're ready, pause the video and complete the mind map.

Thank you for engaging so well in the lesson today.

If you would like to, please ask your parent or carer to share your work on Twitter, tagging the @OakNational and #LearnwithOak.

Take care and I'll see you soon.