The Inner Critic vs The Inner Coach
These are the negative thoughts that pop into your head, sometimes called ANTs.
What are Automatic Negative Thoughts?
Middle schoolers need this many hours of sleep each night for their brains to grow and stay happy.
What is 9 to 11 hours?
This "F" word describes the anxiety of feeling like everyone else is having more fun than you based on their posts.
What is FOMO or fear of missing out?
These are the invisible "rules" you set for how you want people to treat you.
A "Growth ______": is the belief that your abilities can improve with effort.
What is mindset?
This is the act of replacing a thought like "I’m a failure" with "I’m still learning and I’ll try a different way."
What is reframing?
This "D" word is a brain chemical released during exercise that acts as a natural mood lifter.
What is Dopamine?
This is the act of "unfollowing" or "muting" accounts that make you feel bad about your own life or body.
What is curating your feed?
This is the ability to say "No" to a friend’s request without feeling guilty or being mean.
What is assertiveness?
This tiny three-letter word changes "I can't do this" into a statement of hope.
What is Yet?
This term refers to how much you value and respect yourself, regardless of what others think.
What is self-esteem?
This 2025 self-care habit involves putting away all screens 60 minutes before bed to protect your "circadian rhythm."
What is a digital sunset?
A "Social Media _____" is when you take a break from all apps for a day, a week, or longer to reset your brain.
What is detox?
This type of person supports your goals, listens to your feelings, and makes you feel safe to be yourself.
What is a green flag friend or pro-social peer?
A "Vision ______": is a collection of images or words that represent things you are proud of or want to achieve.
What is a Vision Board?
This "P" word is a trap where you feel like you aren't allowed to make any mistakes.
What is perfectionism?
This is the practice of "Grounding," which uses your 5 ______ to bring you back to the present moment when you feel stressed.
What are senses?
This term refers to the fact that people only post their "best moments" online, creating an unrealistic version of reality
What is a highlight reel?
This is "People Pleasing"—when you change who you are just to fit in with a certain group.
This "G" word involves taking a moment each day to name three things you are thankful for.
Research shows that speaking to yourself like you would speak to a ______ is the best way to build self-compassion.
What is a best friend or loved one?
This part of your brain, which handles your "self-image," is undergoing a major "remodeling" phase during middle school.
What is the prefrontal cortex?
In 2025, many experts suggest this _______ in the house to help families connect and reduce stress.
What is "no-phone zone"?
True or False: Setting a boundary with a friend actually makes the friendship stronger in the long run.
What is true?
When you focus on what your body can do (like run, dance, or breathe) rather than what it looks like, you are practicing this.
What is body neutrality or body appreciation?