Healthy Headspace Guide Healthy Headspace
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Grades 6-8 45 Mins
Learning Objective
Students will identify the connection between physical habits (diet, exercise, screen time) and cognitive function, categorizing behaviors into those that "fuel" or "drain" the brain.
Materials Needed
Neural Network Slides
Habit Hack Cards
Brain Fuel Mat
Discussion Cards
Smart Habits Ticket
Lesson Procedure
5m
Warm-up: Metabolic Moods
Display the prompt: "How does your brain feel after a big sugary meal vs. a healthy breakfast?" Have students write a 3-sentence response in their notebooks or on the back of their exit ticket.
10m
Video Viewing & Strategy Identification
Watch "Keeping Your Brain Healthy" . Students must list the 5 strategies mentioned in the video. Use the built-in pause points in the slide deck to facilitate brief discussions on screen time, nature, and professional help.
20m
Main Activity: Brain Fuel vs. Brain Drain
Divide students into small groups. Provide each group with a Brain Fuel Mat and a set of Habit Hack Cards . Students must sort the habits and use the Discussion Cards to justify their placements based on video evidence.
10m
Reflection & Extension
Students complete the Smart Habits Ticket , identifying one personal "Fuel" goal for the week. Introduce the extension task: Research one "Brain Superfood" (e.g., blueberries, walnuts, spinach) to present next class.
Key Vocabulary
Reorient: To adjust one's position or perspective.Minimize: To reduce to the smallest possible amount.Consistency: Doing something in the same way over time.
Misconceptions
Address the idea that mental health is only about "feeling happy." Clarify that brain health is biological—affected by sleep, diet, and physical environment—just like muscle health.
Neural Network Slides Neural Network
Habits
Fueling your brain for peak performance
Growth Mindset Series
Warm-Up: Brain Check
How does your brain feel after a big sugary meal vs. a healthy breakfast?
Take 3 minutes to write your thoughts.
Video Challenge
As we watch the video, your mission is to identify the 5 Strategies for a healthy brain.
1
2
3
4
5
Embedded media
"Keeping Your Brain Healthy" (1:48)
5 Brain Health Strategies
Practice Mindfulness & Meditation
Minimize Screen Time
Spend Time Outdoors
Healthy Diet & Exercise
See a Therapist or Counselor Early
Screen Time
"Extended periods of screen time are linked to increased risk of mental health conditions."
Think about yesterday: How many hours were spent on a screen? How did your brain feel at the end of the day?
Nature Boost
"Even a few minutes in nature can perk up or reenergize a tired brain."
Describe your "Happy Place" outdoors. Why do you think trees and fresh air help our brains "reorient"?
The Check-Up
Body Health
Dentist checkups for teeth. Doctor checkups for muscles.
Brain Health
Therapists and counselors for thoughts, stress, and habits.
Why do we wait for a crisis to talk to someone? Why not a "check-up"?
BRAIN FUEL
vs. BRAIN DRAIN
Sort your Habit Cards onto the Mat.
Discuss: Use the Discussion Cards to justify your choices.
Debate: What if a habit is "Fuel" for some but "Drain" for others?
Small Group Activity
Refer back to video evidence!
Next Class Challenge:
Brain Superfoods
Research one specific food that is proven to help the brain (e.g., blueberries, walnuts, dark chocolate).
What is it?
Why does it work?
How do you eat it?
Discussion Cards Activity Healthy Headspace
Small Group Discussion Cards
Video Evidence
What specific evidence from the video supports placing this habit in its category?
Find a direct quote or scene.
Body vs. Brain
How does this physical habit actually change how your brain processes information?
Connect biology and feelings.
It Depends...
Could this habit be "Fuel" for one person but "Drain" for another? Why might that be?
Think about different lifestyles.
Time Warp
How does this habit feel in the first 5 minutes versus after 5 hours?
Think short-term vs long-term.
Swap It
If this is a "Brain Drain" habit, what is a specific "Brain Fuel" alternative you could do instead?
Make a concrete plan.
Hard Truths
Is this habit easy or hard to change? What makes it challenging to maintain brain health?
Discuss consistency & patience.
Cut along the outer edges. Use during the Brain Fuel vs. Brain Drain sorting activity.
Brain Fuel Mat Brain Fuel VS. Brain Drain
Habit Sorting Mat
Brain Fuel
Place Fuel Here
"Energizes, repairs, and protects your neural pathways."
Brain Drain
Place Drain Here
"Increases stress, fatigue, and risk of mental health struggles."
"Keeping your brain healthy requires consistency and patience."
Habit Hack Cards Habit Hack Cards
Cut these out and sort them on the Brain Fuel Mat.
Sleeping 8+ Hours Every Night
Scrolling Reels for 3 Hours
Drinking Water Instead of Soda
Skipping Breakfast to Sleep More
10-Minute Walk in a Local Park
Eating Fast Food for Daily Meals
Mindfulness Breathing Exercises
Using Phone Right Before Sleep
Talking to a Trusted Counselor
Helping a Friend with a Problem
Drinking Large Sugary Energy Drinks
30 Minutes of Physical Activity
Uniform card dimensions for easy cutting. All habits are based on topics discussed in the video and lesson.
Smart Habits Ticket Smart Habits Ticket
Reflection & Goal Setting
Name:
Date:
1 List 3 Brain Fuel habits you want to focus on this week:
2 Why did the video compare your brain health to a muscle?
My Brain Goal for this week is:
Cut Here
Smart Habits Ticket
Reflection & Goal Setting
Name:
Date:
1 List 3 Brain Fuel habits you want to focus on this week:
2 Why did the video compare your brain health to a muscle?
My Brain Goal for this week is: 
