Making Healthy Choices
📋 What it is
Knowing how substances affect a growing body helps you make informed, confident choices — and refusal is a skill you can practice.
🗣️ Coach says
Your body and brain are still developing, and some substances (like nicotine, vaping, and alcohol) affect a growing brain more than an adult’s. This isn’t about fear — it’s about being INFORMED so the choice is yours. Having a ready way to say "no thanks" (a reason, a change of subject, a friend to leave with) makes it easy in the moment.
🧠 Memory hook
Know the facts → the choice is YOURS. Practice an easy "no thanks" so it’s ready when you need it.
😂 Giggle
My dentist told me to floss daily.
I said, "That's pulling teeth." He didn't laugh.
😲 Whoa!
Simply having a phrase ready ("nah, I’m good — let’s go do X") makes turning something down far easier in the moment.
✅ Quick check: Why does practicing how to say "no thanks" ahead of time help?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
Having a ready response makes it easy and confident to decline in the moment.
Rehearsed refusal skills work better than trying to think of what to say under pressure.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
Think of two easy ways to say "no thanks" that fit you. Practice saying one out loud.