Time to get back on campus…
and back into the classroom…
This week I realized the back-to-school advice I give school-aged people in my practice is similar to what I give adults at their wellness visits, but the version to the young people has a special part to it. Let’s have a look.
At every “Physical,” whether it be a Back-to-School Exam or an Adult Annual Exam, I include two components. On one hand, I address the recommended screenings. Evaluation and education accompany that discussion. An individualized approach is best, and planning and coordination are always needed.
On the other hand, I like to give one very specific bit of advice. It’s not something I was taught, per se. It’s more something I picked up along the way by watching mentors, reading between the lines, and then adding what is important from my viewpoint. This second part is meant to be empowering for patients. It’s a bit of advice I give to patients that almost supersedes the first part of the visit. It’s timeless and can be applied to health but also beyond. If I had to simplify it, I could distill it down to a word of advice: “Listen.”
My spiel on this second aspect generally sounds something like this:
“If you remember only one thing from today, I want you to remember this: Learn to listen to the signals your body is sending to you. They matter… a lot.
“Your body is remarkable. It is way more than a vehicle for your consciousness. It is living consciousness in and of itself. It has its own subtle language that can tell you everything you need to know if you learn how to interact with it. The first step is to offer your ear. Respect is a prerequisite to deep listening, and the body will sense that and comply. You don’t have to know what it’s saying at first. My profession can help with that, but take the steps to aid the communication.“
Basic Principles for Getting Clear Signals
It’s worthwhile to think of your body as your trusty companion. Batman’s Robin. Lone Ranger’s Tonto. Thelma’s Louise. Whatever it takes. Trusty companions need to know you have their back, you care about them, you will watch out for them, and their needs and input matter.
Accordingly, consider these steps to learning to pick up what your body is putting down:
- Treat the body well so its signals are clear: feed it, exercise it, rest it, cleanse it, detoxify it.
- Hone your attention. Practice paying attention so you will be able to pick up those signals: Train your brain, study, make silence a habit, make being in nature a habit, build a mindfulness practice. (Go back to #1 and repeat).
- Fear is your enemy. You can’t be afraid of what you’ll find if you pay attention. Sticking your head in the sand never worked out for anyone, not even for ostriches. Paying close attention always gives you the best options.
Heart Health and Kids
What struck me recently about counseling the school-aged crew is that when you value listening somewhere, you enhance your ability to listen anywhere. When a young person learns the value of listening to the body, they, by default, start a relationship with the messages that come from the heart. These are valuable to every age group, but it is especially rewarding to enforce the message to young people. They need the message again and again that the main lesson of their early years is to learn to listen to what is yearning to come to expression from within them. The world needs what is uniquely coming from them. Who they truly are is so welcome, exactly as it is, and it matters… a lot. That’s surely good medicine for our youth.
Success for all of us is measured in the following ways, far and above anything else: Did you allow yourself to shine through? Were you present for what you experienced?
Class dismissed!
