LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Students will explain how neurotransmitters affect mood and identify healthy activities to naturally boost well-being. 

HEALTH ED STANDARDS

NHES 1: Use functional health information to support health and well-being of self and others.

CASEL COMPETENCY: Self-Awareness

COMMON CORE ELA: RI.1: Refer to details and examples in a text.

KEY VOCAB

neurotransmitters

neuropsychologist

hormone

immune system

Lesson Plan: The Science of Feeling Good

These activities boost the feel-good chemicals in your brain—naturally!

PREPARE TO READ

Ask: What activities make you feel good? Prompt students to complete a short, 5-minute Quick-Write response to the question

Explain that scientists have discovered that our brains release certain chemicals that affect our emotions and motivation.

READ AND RESPOND

Read the article aloud, pausing after each section to define each of the four key neurotransmitters and their effects. Discuss:

  • How do activities like listening to music and exercising relieve stress?
  • How can social media trigger dopamine in negative ways?
  • Which healthy activities described in the article could you try to boost your own mood when you’re feeling down?

Hand out the comprehension quiz and critical-thinking questions to assess students’ learning.

EXTEND

Use the extension activity to have students create a “Feel-Good Habit Tracker,” listing four healthy activities that trigger each feel-good neurotransmitter. Remind them to track their habits for one week and reflect briefly on how each activity affects their mood.

Print the Lesson Plan

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