I.
Introduction:
Why
is it important for health and wellness professionals to develop
psychologically, spiritually and physically? What areas do you need to develop
to achieve the goals you have for yourself?
I believe it is very important for a health professional
to be on the path of health and wellness. This makes it easier to understand
what issues someone has, and what someone may need such as, mentoring and help
to get to a healthy place in their flourishing. It will never be the same for
any two people, but the common goal is the same. I feel that I will always need
growth in all areas. I do not believe that there is an end to the possibilities
of human flourishing. I will always be searching for more possibilities for
myself. I have a thirst for this knowledge and I am working on creating a
healthy body, mind and spirit path for myself.
II.
Assessment:
How
have you assessed your health in each domain? How do you score your wellness
spiritually, physically, and psychologically?
I see my physical health on a score of 1-10 (1 being
very low, 10 very high), as a 6-7. I really have to get back to taking better
care of myself. I am blessed to have been a healthy person most of my life. I
need to get back physically, where I was a year ago.
My psychological health is a 7-8. I am a very high
strung person. I am quick to snap when I feel pressure or negativity. I feel
that I have made quite a bit of progress with the exercises that were provided
in this course. I am less stressed and feel like I can handle stressful
situations a lot better than before. I am glad to have the reminder in my mind
to focus on my breath, and everything in love. I have been a whole different
person these past few weeks.
Spiritually I feel I am an 8. I have a very firm
foundation in my faith. This path that the universe has given me is crazy at
times, but I am guided. The exercises that I do regularly, while including the
ones in this course, have given me a great way to stay focused on my spiritual
health. I believe it is the extra push of this class that made me realize that
there is much more for me to focus on besides this area, but there is always
room for growth here as well.
III.
Goal development:
List
at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical, Psychological
(mental health) and Spiritual.
Physically, I want to lose the 12 pounds that I have
gained over the past 9 months. I had a succession of family deaths, I moved,
and my work schedule has been anything but stable. I went from working out 1-2
hours a day to nothing. With the hectic life comes the life style associated
with it. Not eating properly, not sleeping enough and just not taking care of
myself. The added stress causes me to smoke more. We have hired 2 new cooks, I
am in a stable home now and the stress is starting to subside. My goal is to
start making time each day for at least 30 minutes of exercise each day, working
my way back up to my 1-2 hours.
Psychologically, I need to breathe and not stress
out so much when things happen outside of my control. I feel like I need to
have control over everything that happens in my life. I have set a goal of
trying to stop trying to control everything that happens on the outside, and
focus on what I can control. That is I, my thoughts, my words and most of all,
my actions. I want this to become a habit for me.
Spiritually, I want to learn more about myself and
what I am actually capable of. I know that I have done some great things in my
life, but I wonder if I could have done a better job if I was in a state of
love and gratitude. I am making new positive friends that practice the same
faith as me, and I am practicing the loving kindness exercise in hope of
growing in this area.
IV.
Practices for personal health:
What
strategies can you implement to foster growth in each of the following domains;
Physical, Psychological, and Spiritual. Provide at least two examples of
exercises or practices in each domain. Explain how you will implement each
example.
Biological wellness focus is on smoking cessation
and getting back on a regular exercise schedule. I have made an appointment
with my doctor to discuss the options to quit smoking and I am also looking
into some herbal supplements that may help curb the craving and withdrawal. I
have been writing my entire day in my journal, and trying to figure out where
I can fit in some workout time. I will have to manage my time wisely so I can
focus on doing everything well, yet getting the time I need for me. I have also
acquired some 10 minute fitness videos that will help me get back in the habit
of working out daily again. Yoga is one of the exercises that I
would love to have time for on a regular basis. Psychological wellness will be
my focus on relaxation and practicing a calm mind. I am regularly practicing
this while at work and at home. I am doing the practices that we were given in
this class and using these breathing and visualization techniques throughout
the day as well. These practices are helping to keep me calm and able to not
react to others when they are being negative. Spiritually, I intend on focusing
on my faith and meditating every day. I feel that it keeps me closer to the
energy that I prefer to draw from. I have been going outside when I get home
from work and talking to my plants, hugging my kitten and meditating every day.
V.
Commitment:
How
will you assess your progress or lack of progress in the next six months? What
strategies can you use to assist in maintaining your long-term practices for
health and wellness?
I have a calendar where I write which meditations I
do for that day. I am doing 2 a day right now. (My work schedule made it hard
for 3). I set a timer so that I do not go over the time I have selected for the
various practices. I have been keeping a journal over the past couple of
months. I plan on keeping that journal, but I have started a new one. I want to
be able to keep track of my goals and where my strengths and weakness are. I
plan on writing in the journal daily to keep track of my little victories and
hiccups and then reassessing myself every 2 months. I will be reading the
journal every couple of weeks so that I can see if there are patterns that I
need to correct or subtle habits that I may not be aware of. I have also cut my
contact with a few people that were in my life. They were not only negative to
me but to everyone, including themselves. I have noticed that not having them
in my life constantly has given me more opportunity to have a better
relationship with myself. I think that is one of the best gifts that I could give
to myself, and I will be keeping that strategy for maintaining a positive
atmosphere forever.
Dacher, M.D., E. (2006). Integral Health The Path to
Human Flourishing. Basic Health Publications, Inc.
