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Acupuncture for Students
930 Logan Street #101 & 102 Denver, Co 80203 720.284.1374
Licensed Acupuncturist and Practitioner of Chinese Medicine
John S. Aguilar Jr., L.Ac.
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With eight years of college education under my belt, I can speak to the wear and tear school has on the mind and body. Intense study over years just isn't natural, and if not counterbalanced by effective treatment, damage can be done. A unique advantage of Chinese medicine is that it is intrinsically holistic. That is, by its very nature, it incorporates mental and emotional states, as well as physical aspects of being, in its diagnostics and treatment strategies. This is ideal for assisting students, as the mental act of studying and learning draws from a pool of resources that supports physical as well as cognitive functioning. Ideally, students would seek 'treatment' not only for help in recovering from the stress and fatigue caused by intense study, but to assist in maximizing the effort put into studying, and minimize any negative consequences of over study. Specific therapies that could be of great benefit to students include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, qigong exercises, and meditation (see Modalities). In general, to aid in maximizing study effort and minimize negative health effects try the following: A. Use the hours between 9 and 11 in the morning. The system most directly responsible for focusing, studying, digesting, and absorbing new material and information is at its peak during this time. B. Conversely, avoid studying during the hours of 9 and 11pm. The system employed during study is at its low point during this time. C. Pay extra close attention to your diet. Keep it as simple as possible and as nutritious as possible. Again, the system used during study is the same that is responsible for physical digestion. Eating poorly weakens both, thus lessening your ability to learn efficiently. See the section on diet for more information. D. Engage your physical body. We are creatures of mind and body. Excessive use of one, while ignoring the other can create unbalances that hinder the system as a hole. Also, engaging the body can enhance the functioning of the mind. See the section on exercise for more information, and check out Simple Exercise for a simple exercise to incorporate into your daily routine. E. Practice emptiness on a regular basis to keep the mind balanced. Simple seated meditation, where the mind is allowed to (temporarily) let go of intellectual strain, is very important for students. See meditation for more. F. Whenever possible, seek to understand the material you're studying on a level deeper than simple rote memorization. Try to gain an appreciation for it and enjoy being exposed to and learning it. G. As much as possible, and it may be difficult given the structure employed in modern education, let your spontaneous arising curiosity guide your study. We all know that it's the stuff we're interested in that 'sticks'. And, of course, the basics of health are extra important, as you are placing your mind under intense pressure. The foundations of heath are discussed at length here. Top of Page
All contents Copyright John Aguilar, Jr. 2008