Health Column
by Sifu (Dr.) Rikin Patel MD
Fu For You Fall 2023
The transition from summer to fall comes with mixed feelings depending on if you are a student, parent, or teacher. In the pediatric lifestyle clinic that I work in a few things were clear from kids and families I saw this past summer. First, routines become lax and can even go out the window. Second, almost EVERY child or teen was not looking forward to going back to school. Do any of these apply to you or anyone in your family?
In my observation of summers passed at WKFA, many students take time pursue other hobbies, camps, or interests such as traveling which takes them out of their Kung Fu class routines.
Going back to school and even getting back into Kung Fu can be daunting. It can induce stress, anxiety, and resistance. Over the last 30+ years in my Kung Fu and medical journey I have felt all of these at some point.
Here are some strategies to build motivation and confidence that our lifestyle team consistently share to help parents, teachers and kids manage stress:
- “Baby steps” build momentum and self-esteem. One percent changes add up, and when done daily overtime, are powerful. Remember consistency crushes self-doubt.
- Observe and affirm the positive as much as possible. Whether it’s your friend, child, student, or partner highlighting their positive intentions, actions and strengths promotes confidence and resilience, especially when they least expect it.
- Practice self-compassion. By becoming more open, self-accepting, and compassionate towards ourselves we will more easily be able to step into other people’s shoes and relate to them. Remember sharing your own story can be a gift to someone else by building a bridge.
- View obstacles and setbacks as a learning opportunity and as necessary parts on the path to success. My life changed when a mentor helped reframe a challenge, I was facing by telling me, “every challenging situation in life can be seen as an opportunity; BUT we have to have the vision to see it in that way.”
- Get help. Having mentors, role models and even professionals in our life help water the seed of hope and inspiration within us.
Finally, in closing, let’s always remind each other how important our environment plays on our self-esteem and motivation. There is a powerful saying that I remember often that goes, “tell me who the five closest people are in your life are and I will tell you the person you will become.” Let’s keep looking for that positive environment to grow in and as students of WKFA be that positive company that everyone is looking for.
Parents: Check out this link for more information about a modern-day approach to pediatric health care: https://reset-pediatrics.webflow.io/