by Pennie Sempell, JD, ACMT
In the March 2010 issue, I shared some foundational concepts about the importance of a child becoming “health literate”. A healthier, happier child, is generally more successful academically. Yet, the sets of skills to become health literate are many involving care of the body (physical well-being), care of the mind (mental well-being) and development of successful social relationships (social well-being).
A fourth branch of health, spiritual well-being, can be included, and refers to a sense of meaning and purpose in life, or faith. The home and school are where these health literacy l essons are best learned.
Increasingly, scientists have demonstrated in many studies that there is an intricate interconnection between these branches of whole person health. One can easily make the connection that people with healthy diets tend to live longer. It is less obvious that people who belong to a community also tend to live longer lives, as do married couples. Conventional wisdom still applies. Eat nutritious food, keep fit and get a good night’s rest.
Popular media figures, like Dr. Oz, Oprah and Andrew Weil MD, are evidence of the growing public interest in how individuals can make more of a difference in their health than previously believed. The focus has been on adults – fitness programs, dietary chances, taking yoga classes, etc., however, it is the lessons learned in childhood that have the most profound benefits on our lives.
One of the most neglected contributors to illness and mental conditions is stress. Most readers may be surprised to hear that common childhood conditions, such as asthma, recurring sinus infections, and concentration in school, are improved when the child is more relaxed.
Stress is the Number One contributor or cause of most illnesses and disease. As a normal reaction of the body, stress can get us up and active, but chronic stress affects the immune system, and impacts physical, mental and social well-being in a profound way.
As studies demonstrate their efficacy, traditional time-honored healing practices (such as meditation, visualization, touch, laughter and breath work) that emphasize individual’s learning new skills and taking individual responsibility, are increasingly being offered in medical centers by specialists along side western medical practices.
In my practice, I regularly teach adults and children easy-to-learn exercises that help shift a stress response to a relaxation response. Such skills are critical for health.
Where children learn easy, age-appropriate exercises to relax and reduce stress and increase individual responsibility for their own physical, emotional and social health, then a healthier, happier child, home, classroom and community are the direct beneficiaries. Quality “whole child” health literacy materials are needed to supplement health education in schools.
Here is a simple exercise that both relaxes and helps energize the body. You can do it together before the end of the day, or anytime:
1. “Hug yourself”, folding your arms across your chest and putting your hands under your armpits.
2. Inhale, exhale, saying One (silently in your mind)
3. Inhale, exhale, saying Two (silently in your mind)
4. Continue on to 36 exhales (It takes a 3-4minutes)
5. Alternate for younger children, just do 9 exhales
Working with physicians and psychologists at a major medical center, former teacher and mediator, Pennie Sempell, JD, ACMT specializes in integrative healing arts and mind-body therapies. She has written, performed and produced award-winning programs for children with a focus on health literacy.
www.HealthierHappierLife.com.
In the March 2010 issue, I shared some foundational concepts about the importance of a child becoming “health literate”. A healthier, happier child, is generally more successful academically. Yet, the sets of skills to become health literate are many involving care of the body (physical well-being), care of the mind (mental well-being) and development of successful social relationships (social well-being).
A fourth branch of health, spiritual well-being, can be included, and refers to a sense of meaning and purpose in life, or faith. The home and school are where these health literacy l essons are best learned.
Increasingly, scientists have demonstrated in many studies that there is an intricate interconnection between these branches of whole person health. One can easily make the connection that people with healthy diets tend to live longer. It is less obvious that people who belong to a community also tend to live longer lives, as do married couples. Conventional wisdom still applies. Eat nutritious food, keep fit and get a good night’s rest.
Popular media figures, like Dr. Oz, Oprah and Andrew Weil MD, are evidence of the growing public interest in how individuals can make more of a difference in their health than previously believed. The focus has been on adults – fitness programs, dietary chances, taking yoga classes, etc., however, it is the lessons learned in childhood that have the most profound benefits on our lives.
One of the most neglected contributors to illness and mental conditions is stress. Most readers may be surprised to hear that common childhood conditions, such as asthma, recurring sinus infections, and concentration in school, are improved when the child is more relaxed.
Stress is the Number One contributor or cause of most illnesses and disease. As a normal reaction of the body, stress can get us up and active, but chronic stress affects the immune system, and impacts physical, mental and social well-being in a profound way.
As studies demonstrate their efficacy, traditional time-honored healing practices (such as meditation, visualization, touch, laughter and breath work) that emphasize individual’s learning new skills and taking individual responsibility, are increasingly being offered in medical centers by specialists along side western medical practices.
In my practice, I regularly teach adults and children easy-to-learn exercises that help shift a stress response to a relaxation response. Such skills are critical for health.
Where children learn easy, age-appropriate exercises to relax and reduce stress and increase individual responsibility for their own physical, emotional and social health, then a healthier, happier child, home, classroom and community are the direct beneficiaries. Quality “whole child” health literacy materials are needed to supplement health education in schools.
Here is a simple exercise that both relaxes and helps energize the body. You can do it together before the end of the day, or anytime:
1. “Hug yourself”, folding your arms across your chest and putting your hands under your armpits.
2. Inhale, exhale, saying One (silently in your mind)
3. Inhale, exhale, saying Two (silently in your mind)
4. Continue on to 36 exhales (It takes a 3-4minutes)
5. Alternate for younger children, just do 9 exhales
Working with physicians and psychologists at a major medical center, former teacher and mediator, Pennie Sempell, JD, ACMT specializes in integrative healing arts and mind-body therapies. She has written, performed and produced award-winning programs for children with a focus on health literacy.
www.HealthierHappierLife.com.
