How the Inside Impacts the Outside

June 2, 2014

Exactly how does the inside impact the outside? Specifically, what challenge do teens face when it comes to health and when should a parent be concerned about health and wellness with their child? Today's guest, Dr. Michelle Robin, bestselling author, international speaker and practicing chiropractor, joined Elizabeth McGhee on Parent Choices for Struggling Teens to talk about the internal health and wellness that often goes awry when people are not mindful of what goes into their bodies.

"Our food has changed so much in the last 20-30 years. There are more processed foods than ever, including foods with sugars and salt added. Everything we eat either hurts us or helps us, so the more real food we eat, the healthier we will be."

For teens, the biggest challenge they have is good digestive health. With proper digestion the body can have normal body functions, which helps the immune system and the hormone system run correctly. Teens are also consuming too much caffeine. With energy drinks, sodas and coffee, they are getting addicted to caffeine. Sugar is eight times more addictive than cocaine, and is in many of the foods we eat.

"It is a good time to 'break up' with sugar," concluded Dr. Robin.

Of course there are emotional factors that wreak havoc on the body as well. In studying Chinese medicine, Dr. Robin learned there are four quadrants within the body that work together to bring health and wellness: mechanical, chemical, energy and psychological. The mechanical aspect is our physical movement. We are much more sedentary than we used to be with so much convenience through technology and the Internet. Sitting all day can be just as bad for you, and as addictive, as drugs and alcohol. The second quadrant, chemical, includes the amount of chemicals that are ingested into our bodies by way of food, drinks or medication. Being energetic creates more energy, the third quadrant. Being mindful of your energy is very important. Good energy brings good health, just as negative energy outside of you can impact your body negatively. The final quadrant is psychological and spiritual health. It can negatively impact a teen, if the negative feelings they have towards themselves, low self-esteem, anger and feeling left out go unchecked.

So how can we impact teens so these factors don't wreak havoc on their bodies?

"Encourage them to open up, whether to you or a professional coach or counselor, to help them through things," explained Dr. Robin.

"They want to fit in so desperately," Liz added.

With teens and ourselves, we need to be mindful in our movements and more active in our own lives. As parents, we need to lead by example. We need to turn off the cell phones and the computers and schedule some "white space" in your calendar for yourselves. Take a deep breath and bask in the quiet. Other things we need to do include going for a walk with your kids, playing with the dog, or reading a book. Your children just want to know how much you care about them. They want you spending time with them. And in doing so, you just might help their health from the Outside In.

Dr. Robin has three recommendations for parents:

Walk the talk: Don't be a fraud. Do what you are telling them to do.
Use positive words: Words can heal and words can go right to your soul. You have to pour positive words into them because they get negative words or messages from the world all day long.
Read the label! Feed your family real food. I know clean eating takes time, but it will give you time in your good health and energy.

"Many parents are not resistant to change, they just make excuses or reasons to not do it. The time for change is now. Be consistent in small changes. Drink plenty of water. Add one new healthy habit once a month and by the end of the year, you will have changed 12 things into healthy things."

To listen to the full interview, go to How the Inside Impacts the Outside on LATalkRadio.
Also available in Podcast

Lon Woodbury is the owner/founder of Woodbury Reports, Inc. and www.strugglingteens.com. He has worked with families and struggling teens since 1984 and is the host of Parent Choices for Struggling Teens and The Woodbury Reports.

Elizabeth McGhee is the Director of Admissions and Referral Relations at Sandhill Child Development Center and has over 19 years' of clinical, consulting and referral relations experience to her position and is the co-host.

Dr. Michelle Robin is the founder of Your Wellness Connection, P.A., and integrative healing center, focusing on disciplines such as chiropractic, Chinese medicine, massage therapy, energy medicine, counseling, nutrition and wellness coaching and movement arts. Michelle is a bestselling author, an international speaker and a practicing chiropractor.

If you know somebody (including yourself) who would make a good guest on our show and might be interested, contact Lon at lonwoodbury@gmail.com or 208-267-5550

Attention:

The following books are available on Amazon.com:

Part 1 - The Introduction to the Parent Empowerment Handbook
Part 2 - Single Sex Schools
Part 3 - Wilderness Therapy and Outdoor Education
Part 4 - Pre-Teens & Young Adults