Embracing the body’s innate ability to self-heal, sophomore Isaac Fredericson has a routine where compression therapy is medicine. Twice a week, the multi-sport athlete suits up in air-filled sleeves that deliver a pulsing compression for his legs. This treatment gives his body’s natural healing mechanisms the right conditions to best function by promoting blood flow and reducing muscle soreness.

“I use a NormaTec device to speed up my recovery after practice,” he said. “I’m an athlete who plays basketball and baseball for Gunn, so it’s how I prioritize the training and recovery.”

Fredericson’s compression therapy sessions are the culmination of years of learning about lifestyle medicine — a passion that first took root in middle school. Through his interest, Fredericson first discovered the field of epigenetics: the science of how environmental factors, behaviors and lifestyle choices influence gene expression and overall wellness.

To better understand epigenetics, Fredericson created his own holistic lifestyle — daily habits to address his body and spirit’s health. The effects of his nutritious meals, breathwork techniques and ice baths prove to be a true case of mind over medicine.

“A holistic lifestyle helps put me in a flow state (of being completely absorbed in an activity),” he said. “In the classroom, especially with a clearer mind, I’ve realized that holistic healing can also be a great tool for education and for feeling taken care of.”

As the president of the Lifestyle Medicine Club, Fredrickson also educates students about how their wellness works in tandem with their spiritually, environment and nutrition.

“Sometimes we think we’re invincible, especially as teens, and we don’t really need to take care of ourselves proactively and preventatively,” he said. “It’s only after we have the injury or the disease that we start focusing on health.”

The club focuses on seven pillars: nutrition, restorative sleep, cognitive enhancement, gratitude, social connection, exercise and stress management. Fredricson hopes the club’s mission and events — like the Gratitude Chalk Wall and healthy smoothie bar events — can lead the way for others.

“There’s a great community aspect where practicing (holistic healing) together helps us stay accountable,” he said. “We have (Lifestyle Medicine Clubs) at two other Bay Area high schools. We’re trying to expand the club to a national organization too. Our goal is to get this out to as many clubs and set an example.”

However, despite its many benefits, Fredericson also recognizes the barriers to holistic treatment.

“Accessibility to holistic healing is a big thing, not just for me, but for everyone,” he said. “Acupuncture or hyperbaric oxygen chambers are two methods I would want to try, but it might be hard for some people to get their hands on these things because they’re oftentimes (costly).”

For Fredericson, the efficacy of any remedy — whether alternative or traditional — depends on combining proactive practices with a clear understanding of its purpose.

“The big difference between Western medicine and holistic healing is that Western medicine focuses more on treating illness, and (holistic healing focuses) on prevention,” he said.

For Fredricson, his involvement in both sports and holistic healing heightens his aspirations for a future career in healthcare to encourage people to live healthier lifestyles.

“Everything is related,” he said. “(For example), your pain in your stomach can be due to stress, or your pain in your back can be due to bad fitting shoes or poor posture. I think holistic healing approaches your body in a way that looks more at the totality of the person, rather than just their symptoms.”

Physical education teacher Amy Anderson’s personal healing journey was inspired by the Youth Empowerment Seminar Program, which was incorporated into Gunn’s physical education curriculum from fall of 2015 to fall of 2019. This program aimed to teach students about meditation and mindfulness, which provided Anderson with a visualization of the positive effects of this wellness approach.

“This (approach) is something that (I knew) was not just going to be here temporarily, (but) something that was going to be used throughout my whole entire life,” she said.

The YES Program opened up a new door for her healing journey, displaying all the things that this new healing approach had to offer to assist in the overall well-being of both her mind and body. She experienced many benefits from this practice, with one being the ability to maintain balance in her life.

“By no means (am I) perfect,” she said. “I still am a human and I still will say and do things (that I regret). But (holistic healing) gives me an opportunity when I do sort of fall out of balance to be a little bit kinder to myself (and) have a little more compassion and understanding.”

Along with maintaining a healthy balance in her daily life, Anderson has found that these forms of holistic practices, both meditation and yoga, have helped her become more present in the moment. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and checking in with oneself to prevent impulsivity and negative behavior in times of stress or difficulties. Through experimenting with holistic healing, she has found herself to be more successful in preserving her resilience in the face of hardship.

“When you’re focusing on your breathing, you’re not in the past, and you’re not in the future,” she said. “You’re right there in the present moment.”

For these reasons, Anderson has become a strong advocate of meditation to maintain wellness. However, while she acknowledges the many benefits of modern medication, she also realizes that each person has different needs, emphasizing that meditation and her approach to healing is not a “one size fits all” solution. She strives to spread this beneficial approach to those around her, introducing the concept of meditation to her students, family and friends.

“While we don’t have a full meditation unit like we did in the past, I will weave it into the curriculum every now and then when I feel like the energy of my students (is changing negatively),” she said. “If I’m feeling like they’re getting stressed, or before finals, we will take some time to create some peace and connect with ourselves.”

Anderson emphasizes that traditional medications tend to treat only a specific injury, while holistic approaches allow one to connect the mind and body and treat issues in a more connected and well-rounded manner.

“Meditation is kind of like a superpower that you have,” she said. “You can’t control the things that life puts in your path, but through practice and awareness, you have access to the power of your breathing, and that controls your nervous system. If you find yourself in a stressful fight-or-flight kind of situation, become aware of it and have the tools to take a moment to tend to it, you’re going to most likely be a better version of yourself.”

When facing hardships, Anderson keeps her approach flexible and versatile. The duration, extent and type of meditation she engages in differs based on how her mind and body feels in that present moment.

She emphasizes, that for the same reason, alternate approaches incorporating technology are often helpful.

“If I do have a big life event or something that is causing maybe a little bit of stress or uncertainty, I’ll usually put on a recorded meditation,” she said.

Anderson is grateful for the benefits that holistic healing has granted her and ultimately believes that it is a beneficial life skill.

“It’s just something that you can have in your life’s toolbox,” she said. “It’s not like you have to immerse yourself in this lifestyle, but it is a way for you to do all the other things that you love and just be more present (because it) enriches your life.”