USA TODAY Teen Wise Guides: Lifestyle Choices

Health. It seems like a simple topic, but keeping up a healthful lifestyle can be challenging. Still, there are easy steps that you can take to make sure you're living the most healthful life you can. Did you know that just using a smaller plate can help to curb overeating? Or that taking the stairs instead of an escalator or elevator is a great way to build physical activity into your day? This book offers many great tips for leading a more healthful life. You'll discover • why sleep is so important and what happens when you don't get enough. • why "fat" isn't a dirty word; in fact, some fats are good for you! • what drugs, alcohol, and tobacco really do to your body. • how you can stay in shape even if you hate the gym. • why tending to your emotional health is every bit as important as taking care of your body. Supplemented with articles and information from USA TODAY, the Nation's No. 1 Newspaper, Health Smarts delivers solid advice and firsthand stories of real teens facing many of the same types of situations you are. Ready to wise up on health? Read on!

Email, cell phones, Facebook, texts, letters … even good old-fashioned face-to-face conversation. Teens today have all kinds of choices when it comes to communication. But did you know that there are unwritten rules that go with every form of communication? Sending a text to a friend, a letter to a future employer, and a thank-you note to your aunt and uncle all come with very different rules. Figuring out how to communicate effectively will affect every part of your life. In this book, you'll discover: • how to communicate during a job interview. • when it's okay to text-and when it's not. • how to write cover letters, thank-you notes, and more. • how to use communication skills to resolve conflicts. • why it's important to choose your words carefully, especially when you're upset. Supplemented with articles and information from USA TODAY, the Nation's No. 1 Newspaper, Communication Smarts delivers solid advice and firsthand stories of real teens facing many of the same types of situations you are. Ready to wise up on communication? Read on!

Volunteering. So you want to get out there and do something? Help someone in need, make a difference, change the world? There are numerous volunteering opportunities out there. Did you know that volunteering can help you land a job or get into a better college? Or that kids your age-or even younger-have started their own successful service projects and made a huge difference in their communities? Figuring out just how to get involved can be tough. But this book offers lots of great tips on where to volunteer and how to get the most out of the experience. You'll discover: • where to find volunteer opportunities perfectly suited for teens. • how to boost your resume and your college applications through volunteer work. • how to start your own service project. • what it takes to become an activist. • how to contact your legislators to tell them what's important to you. Supplemented with articles and information from USA TODAY, the Nation's No. 1 Newspaper, Volunteering Smarts delivers solid advice and firsthand stories of real teens facing many of the same types of situations you are. Ready to wise up on volunteering? Read on!

Safety. In a perfect world, everyone would be safe all the time: in the car, at home, at school, and online. Well, we all know the world's not perfect. Cars sometimes crash, burglars break into houses, kids get bullied at school, and cyberstalkers and sexual predators prowl the Internet. But that's no reason to hide in your room and worry. You can stay safe if you use some safety smarts. This book offers nitty-gritty advice on staying safe. You'll discover: • how to recognize and avoid dangerous places and people. • how to stand your ground against bullies and other bad guys. • how to defend your home, your computer, and your own body from attackers. • where to turn for help if you're feeling threatened. • where to turn for help after an attack. Supplemented with articles and information from USA TODAY, the Nation's No. 1 Newspaper, Safety Smarts delivers solid advice and firsthand stories of real teens facing many of the same types of situations you are. Ready to wise up on safety? Read on!