A Cup of Healthy T

 

Welcome to another T with Dr. P.

“And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.” (Ezekiel 47:12 ESV)

https://www.free pik.com/free-photo/cup-aromatic-coffee-outdoors_903381.htm#query=tea%20tree &position=26&from_view=keyword

There is a lot of information available today regarding women’s health, however, I believe some of the best insights are realized in conversations shared amongst other women. So, grab a cup because it’s time for a bit of healthy “T”.

A HEALTHY CUP of “T”

One of the viewers from my last post suggested we should talk about women’s health, and I agree that this is a topic that no matter the age, we all could learn more about. I grew up during a time when talks about a woman’s health was mostly taboo. Except for what I learned in my Health Education class about how a girl’s and boy’s body differed, the importance of good hygiene and how it looks as we aged, I didn’t glean what I considered helpful information. Allow me a moment to digress and say there was no way I aimed to age like the women I saw in that book, who looked like hags by the time they were in their fifties! Ok, where were we? Ah yes, we were on the topic of health, but before we dev into “health talk”, let’s first gain an understanding about the importance of “healthy” talks.

 “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver” (Proverbs 25:11 ESV)

It’s Healthy to Talk

Women develop connections through conversations. In fact, a 2019 Healthline article by Laura Barcella posited that Dr. Alisa Dash suggested “that women, [possibly] more than men, need to maintain connections” which “increases serotonin and oxytocin, the bonding hormone.” Barcella’s article confirms this claim through Stanford and UCLA studies, that shows stress releases oxytocin and compels women to befriend and “connect with other women.” So there, that scientifically proves that talking is a form of hormone replacement therapy (a topic which might require stronger teas for some of us). I for one certainly could’ve used a little more oxytocin through my seasons of life. Furthermore, scripture supports that our talk should be healthy and helpful. Solomon tells us words spoken at the right time, or in a way that is right or good, can prove beneficial to those who’s listening to what’s being said (Proverbs 25:11).

Back in the day, perhaps before the 80’s, certain topics weren’t discussed between adult women and young ladies. I learned nothing about skincare, hair care, inner or self-care. Some of what I learned, I just happened to overhear adults talking about in the next room, and other things were learned through awkward experiences. Now, this will surely date some of us, but do you remember when there was no such thing as pantyliners, and pads did not have adhesive or wings? Although I would occasionally go to the store to pick up this huge package for my mom, I had no idea what purpose it served or how to use it. Do I need to mention how the sizes were not at all invisible to onlookers, especially if you were a small-framed woman or young girl wearing hip-hugger jeans, which I think are called low-rise today? Remind me another time to I will tell you about how disastrous that ordeal turned out for me. But for now, my tea’s getting cold.

One of the things I was taught though, was “not to let boys mess with me.” I was told, that “when boys mess with girls, girls mess around and get pregnant.” Wait, what? What exactly does that mean? That taught me that girls somehow were to blame for the actions of boys. I felt helpless, confused, and scared. In any case, now my little brain became filled with questions, that no one tried to answer. And even if there was someone, I couldn’t begin to know what to ask or why. So, I resolved to make sense of things in my own awkward way. I’ll share one of those awkward lessons that I would’ve preferred to skip. During middle school, I experienced a lot of stresses, one of which occurred whenever we lined up in alphabetical order for lunch, or recess. That’s when a boy whose name came after mine’s made my days so miserable. He was a troublemaker and one who wouldn’t keep his hands or body parts to himself. I think during that time they deemed it as being “fresh” or “mannish,” due to his antics. It did no good to complain to the teacher because I didn’t know how to tell her in what way he was touching me, without huge embarrassment and threats from him. Each day as I walked home from school I would cry because I feared I was pregnant, because he had “messed with me.”  This is just one example to explain why it is so important to communicate properly with one another from the earliest age to our oldest. There is so much to be learned and a healthy conversation can prove helpful throughout generations.

“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)

I get it, it’s not easy to open to just anyone, and it’s true it is hard to understand what to say when the opportunity presents. Not everyone will be receptive or constructive, but there are many who will be. Healthy conversations take work, but it can prove beneficial to everyone involved. So, what does healthy communication look like? Tannen (1995) poses “communication isn’t as simple as saying what you mean. How you say what you mean is crucial, and differs from one person to the next, because using language is learned social behavior:” “How we talk, and listen are deeply influenced by our experiences and cultures. Tannen argues that we must not perceive that the way we interpret or evaluate is how the other person does, which require us to work at learning from each other (1995). And once we’ve created a connection, it’s important to “maintain those bonds as we grow older” (Bash, 2019). This T with Dr. P, platform is an opportunity for us to create connections and share information that could empower or encourage others towards better health, businesses, families, spiritual growth, healing and more. If you want a boost in your oxytocin, then let’s start conversations flowing that’ll fill every cup!

The information shared was not intended to point fingers or blame anyone. It was simply my way of sharing real examples of what might be needed, but if no one is curious enough to examine, share, question, or answer, then how can it help anyone in need? To contribute to this discussion, please comment on one if not all the following questions:

1.      What awkward experiences did you have?

2.      How are you using it to help others today?

 

Sip on it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Author unknown (2022, March 04). The Hidden Health Benefits of Tea. Penn Medicine. Retrieved (October 15, 2022) from https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/  health-and-wellness/2019/december/health-benefits-of-tea

Barcella, L. (2019, April 18). According to Science, Your Girl Squad Can Help You Release More Oxytocin. Retrieved October 15, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/benefits-of-a-girlsquad-and-female-friendships

Onlyyouqj (unknown). Freepik Image. Retrieved October 15, 2022, from https://www.free pik.com/free-photo/cup-aromatic-coffee-outdoors_903381.htm#query=tea%20tree &position=26&from_view=keyword

Paladin1212 (unknown). Adobe-Stock Image. Retrieved October 15, 2022, from https://stock.adobe.com/images/tea-cup-with-vertical-line-and-plant-on-wooden-table-at-balcony-outdoor/399519467?as_campaign=ftmigration2&as_channel= dpcft&as_campclass=brand&as_source=ft_web&as_camptype=acquisition&as_audience=users&as_content=closure_asset-detail-page

Tannen, D. (1995, September-October). The Power of Talk: Who Gets Heard and Why.

Harvard Business Review Magazine. Retrieved October 15, 2022, from https://hbr.org/1995/09/the-power-of-talk-who-gets-heard-and-why