Your Happiest You. Judy Woodburn

      I go to my piano.

      Music always helps

      clear my mind.

      —Jolie

      I sit on my bed and

      pull out my journal.

      —Savannah

      I listen to my

      favorite music.

      This always makes

      me happy.

      —Karen

      I like to go outside and

      cuddle a pet. The fresh air

      feels good, and animals

      make me feel calm.

      —Elle

      I like taking walks in

      our woods because they

      are so beautiful and peaceful.

      It’s a place where I can

      really sort out my

      problems.

      —Sophia

      I go outside in my backyard

      and climb my favorite tree.

      I sit on the sturdiest branch

      and think there. I stare out

      in the big open grass.

      I notice how quiet and

      beautiful nature is.

      —Mia

      When I need a break from

      stress, I surround myself

      with nature. I sit under my

      favorite tree, which I named,

      and I write, read, or doodle

      the hours away.

      —Janani

      I like to tell my doll how

      I’m feeling. It makes me

      feel so much better. I feel

      more confident, too.

      —Chloe

      HAPPINESS

      HABIT 2

      TUNING IN

      My phone is really distracting! I love reading on it,

      or looking at social media. I procrastinate a LOT!

      —Alexandra

      Find Fiona

      Meet Fiona. She’s a girl a lot like you. Fiona needs to focus on

      her science textbook for a big test on Friday. The test counts for

      one-quarter of her grade! But life isn’t making it easy for her to

      study. Can you find Fiona amid everything that’s distracting her?

      Fiona

      Found!

      Did you spot Fiona in the window of the À La Moda building? If so, how?

      Your brain has two ways of paying attention. One is for protecting you.

      It makes you “snap to” when a door slams, a glass breaks, or anything

      else happens that makes you feel surprised or unsure. Bright colors

      and movement grab your attention this way, too. Long ago, when

      humans scrounged for food in the wild, it was

      important to notice things like bright berries

      or swimming fish that were good to eat.

      Nowadays, the fast-moving, colorful things are often

      on screens—like movies and video games. And

      many of the things a girl can feel unsure about

      are also on screens—in social websites and

      apps. Things like this are sticky like glue:

      They grab your attention

      and hold it.

      Your brain’s

      second way

      of paying atten-

      tion is one that

      lets you choose what

      to focus on. This kind

      of attention is like a spot-