Latin School of Chicago

18 L AT I N M A G A Z I N E THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION by Rebekah Maloney, lower school nurse, and Jill Yacu, middle/upper school nurse As former student-athletes, both of us were quite busy during high school. We were very involved in our classes, our social lives and everything else that was going on. Looking back, we are appalled by our poor food choices, lack of proper hydration and consistent lack of sleep during those years. While we had positive and successful experiences in the classroom and on the athletic fields, knowing what we know now, our performance surely would have been exponentially improved had we been taught the vital importance of the mind-body connection. At its core, our role as school nurses is to prevent common health issues that ail our students and may hinder them from fully participating in academic and extracurricular activities. It is no secret among health professionals that treatment begins with prevention. So one of our main goals is to help students develop healthy behaviors that foster wellness and allow them to reach their full potential at school and throughout their lives. As we see how busy and complex the lives of children are today, we strive to provide an increasingly holistic approach to care, treating not only the physical components, but also considering the mental and emotional aspects and recognizing how they intertwine. Students under cognitive or emotional stress may present with physical complaints such as gastrointestinal upset, neurologic concerns or fatigue. Likewise, a student suffering from a physical ailment often will exhibit signs of decreased intellectual well-being and emotional difficulties. Back when we were in high school, the most distressing social distraction was note writing and getting the dreaded busy signal when we called our friends. But in today's environment – dominated by advanced technology, easy access to a plethora of information and the expectation of instant gratification – students are constantly multi-tasking and have less time to slow down and listen to the signals their bodies are sending. e many expectations and stressors placed on this generation have all contributed to a lost connection between the mind and body among children and adolescents, and many diseases historically seen mainly in adults – including obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and psychiatric disorders – are now being diagnosed in children of all ages. A lack of good nutrition alone can have a huge impact on how a child does at school. It inhibits the ability to concentrate and limits overall learning potential while also weakening the immune system. We work with students to help them make healthy food choices and drink enough water to be adequately hydrated (Children should be drinking at least six cups of water a day). We also team up "As we see how busy and complex the lives of children are today, we strive to provide an increasingly holistic approach to care, treating not only the physical components, but also considering the mental and emotional aspects and recognizing how they intertwine." F I R S T P E R S O N Rebekah Maloney (left) and Jill Yacu with Latin's food service provider to ensure that kids are getting balanced meals. Equally important to a student's school performance is sleep. Getting enough sleep and rest time is crucial to cognitive and motor function, mood regulation and to a student's ability to make safe decisions. In the overwhelming world of academics, clubs, athletics and social obligations, sleep can often be the first area of health that is neglected. We cringe when we hear that teenagers are staying up until 1 a.m. to finish their homework. Adolescents need nine or more hours of sleep every night. More than ever, we see that the demands on student's time are exhausting and extend far beyond the school day. After-school activities have become a regular extension of the day, leaving little time for students to slow down, spend time with family and eat a nutritious dinner. Just slowing down for a few minutes to take a rest and unplug can result in significant improvements in a child's mental, emotional and physical well-being. Yes, it is okay not to answer a call or text for an hour. We promise! Physical symptoms, emotional stress, nutritional imbalances or lack of hydration and sleep disturbances are hardly ever mutually exclusive. Mental, emotional and physical health, are all equally critical to a student's academic and life success. While we didn't know any better in high school, today's parents, teachers and students are informed about healthy behaviors or at least can learn about them. So as school nurses we ask: Please nurture your bodies as much as your minds, to reach your full potential and be your best selves! n

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