Back to school: Packing the Right Tools for Young Adults Taking on New Challenges
Back to school: Packing the Right Tools for Young Adults Taking on New Challenges
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HOUSTON, TX. August 2024
Back-to-school season is traditionally an exciting time of transition for young adults as they take on new challenges: school, job opportunities, friend groups.
But it’s also a time that can be fraught and confusing as new risks and temptations confront the 18-25 age group whose emotional and physical development is still forming.
The staff of J. Flowers Health Institute is keenly aware of issues surrounding this critical time of passage in the lives of young adults; and equipped with experts to help the age work through wellness should mental health or addiction issues arise.
For Clinical Director Arti Patel, young clients present unique challenges that she embraces as a health professional; it’s her favorite age group, she said.
“They have the rest of their life ahead of them and so many interesting avenues to pursue,” she said. “At this time of change it’s important to keep an open mind about the world ahead of you. It’s a time of exploration and understanding yourself. It doesn’t always have to be something scary.”
And yet, natural fears that come with new surroundings, jobs and people can be emotional and lead to risky behavior.
“Especially with social media, August is a time that can impact self-esteem and a sense of identity, and may lead to anxiety and depression,” said Dr. Selina Hernandez, primary therapist. “There is a need to belong during this moment of transition. It’s stressful and it could be dangerous if you don’t have the right tools.”
Some of the tools to pack during this back-to-school time:
Be aware: Understand your emotions and listen to them. “Anxiety is an emotion that’s meant to protect you,” Hernandez said. “Identify what’s going on, such as shame, guilt, sadness, fear, discomfort. Those are all valid emotions. When you know what that emotion is you can start adjusting to it. The goal is not to get rid of some of these thoughts but to address them. Listen to your body, your thoughts, your feelings.”
Be patient: Take the time you need to make sense of new challenges and acquaintances. “It can take a long time to find your stride,” Patel said. “I always tell young people to find your tribe when cultivating friendships that are healthy.”
Be purposeful: Sorting through your thoughts and emotions allows you the confidence to make wise choices about what you are and who you want to be. “Life is a journey, and every day is an experience that adds to who you are,” Hernandez said. “It’s an opportunity to be better than you were yesterday – to improve and discover something new about you and the world.”
Be you: While parents and family have a responsibility to be protective and supportive, this is a time for young adults to blossom in extraordinary ways. “Finding that sense of self and sense of place and community is important,” Patel said. “We all need to be celebrated for our individuality and recognize the need for belongingness.”
Patel said not every 18 year old fresh out of high school is ready to handle this transition time. And that’s OK, she said: “Maturity is still forming: decision-making, problem-solving and impulse control.”
But for those ready to leave the nest, it can be a profound chapter in a young adult’s life. Patel likes to share that sense of excitement and discovery with a favorite poem, “Everything is Waiting for You” by David Whyte. The end of the poem sums it up:
“Put down the weight of your aloneness and ease into the
conversation. The kettle is singing
even as it pours you a drink, the cooking pots
have left their arrogant aloofness and
seen the good in you at last. All the birds
and creatures of the world are unutterably
themselves. Everything is waiting for you.”
About J. Flowers Health Institute
J. Flowers Health Institute delivers unparalleled health care to executives, high-profile individuals, young adults, adolescents, and those with complex conditions. Our Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation Program uncovers the true source of any health issue and illuminates the most effective path to optimal wellness. The timeliness of our reports and diagnostic impressions allows the next appropriate level of care to begin promptly with a broad and deep understanding of the individual’s health and wellness.
Our multidisciplinary team of experts collaborates to deliver the future of whole-person health. We select the best providers and protocols from Western medicine, holistic health, integrative nutrition, sports medicine, and more that will help our clients reach optimal health. Our team’s coordination and collaboration offer each client a full continuum of care as appropriate for their unique circumstances.
Every client receives one-on-one support and personalized care. Our high-end medical facilities, access to the world’s largest medical campus, and private partnerships with exquisite hotels and spas ensure that we deliver an exceptional experience for every client. No detail is ever left to chance. Clients of J. Flowers Health Institute focus and heal in discreet comfort.
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