Monday, March 4, 2013

How My Well-being has Benefited from this Course


Hello!

Unit 3 Assessment:

Physical well-being 8 – I am a runner, during the winter months I run to maintain since I do not care for the cold weather. My goal here is to run harder and longer in the spring to prepare for the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. this coming fall.

Spiritual well-being 6 – I need to devote more time and focus to this area of my life by setting aside time each day to reading the Bible and practicing my breath.

Psychological well-being 8 – My physical and spiritual are not where they could be so I believe this affects this area of my well-being.

Unit 10 Assessment:

Physical well-being 8 – Although spring has yet to arrive I have already begun training for my third half marathon. I have not rated myself higher in this area because I know I am capable of more physically. By the beginning of April a 13 mile run should feel like a 5 mile run so, until then I will keep the same rating as unit 3.

Spiritual well-being 7 – I have devoted more time to reading the Bible and meditation so I rated myself a bit higher in this area from last time.

Psychological well-being 9 – I set goals for myself physically and spiritually in unit 3 to which I have just about achieved. I feel better psychologically and have more balance in my life therefore; I added a point from unit 3’s rating.  

This course has given me the tools so that I may be able to grow in mind, body and spirit. I have been able to improve my well-being through mediation exercises; even when some of those exercises have proven to be difficult. However, I believe the greatest gift of all has been learning how to quite the mental chatter; an experience that I am eager to pass on to others!!

 

Michelle

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Concepts Regarding Holistic/Integral Health: A Personal Fostering


1.      Introduction:

Why is it important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, physically and spiritually? What areas do you need to develop to achieve the goals you have for yourself?

A health and wellness professional uses an integral approach of treating the mind, body and spirit in the presence of illness. In addition, helps those who have an absence of illness maintain a sound mind, body and spirit.  In order for a health and wellness professional to achieve a high level of success in helping their patients/clients they need to hold their own health and wellness in the same regard. Therefore, it is essential they have the knowledge and discipline to develop themselves psychologically, physically and, spiritually to better serve as an example for their patients/clients.

I have developed psychologically, physically and, spiritually though, not fully. So, I believe I need to examine each area and set new goals.

Assessment:

How have you assessed your health in each domain? How do you score your wellness psychologically, physically and, spiritually?

I have assessed my health psychologically, physically and spiritually by defining the stress in my life, my physical activity and my relationship with God. Psychologically there is still a lot I want to learn about reducing stress and how to implement these practices into my life so I scored myself a six. In the physical category, I participate in regular physical activity and eat healthy therefore I believe a score of 8 would be appropriate. Spiritually I want to make a better connection with Jesus and learn more about my faith so I gave myself a six in this area.

 

2.      Goal Development:

List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Psychological (mental health), Physical, and Spiritual.

Psychologically, I am going to reduce the amount of stress in my life.

Physically, I am going to run another half-marathon this spring and graduate to a full marathon in the fall by participating in the Marine Corps marathon.

Spiritually, I am going to strengthen my relationship with God and learn more about my faith.

3.      Practices for personal health:

What strategies can you implement to foster growth in each of the following domains; Psychological, Physical, and Spiritual. Provide at least two examples of exercises or practices in each domain. Explain how you will implement each example.

Psychologically, I will practice meditation daily after my morning run and research information about meditation techniques. Plus, find a place locally that teaches Yoga.

Physically, I will develop a specific training regime to properly train for the half and full marathons. In addition to physical exercise I will increase my intake of water and research a vegetarian diet that will allow me to properly train for my runs.

Spiritually, I will read my Bible daily before going to bed and locate a Bible study group through my church.

4.      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 am going to purchase a journal to record my daily activities that will include anything new that I learned that day; any stressful moments and how I responded to those stressors; my thoughts and feelings from my mediation practice; the number of miles I ran plus the time; a daily food log to ensure I am getting the proper nutrients and required calories; and lastly write down a verse from the bible that inspired me.

I believe by being disciplined and implementing the strategies I have outlined above into my daily life I will be able to maintain a strong balanced approach to my personal health and wellness.

 

 

Thursday, February 21, 2013

The Subtle Mind and Visualization


Hello!

Currently, I believe Subtle Mind and Visualization are the two most beneficial exercise practices I can implement into my life. When practicing the witnessing mind I had a moment of being able to observe and witness the natural rising and falling of my thoughts and feelings therefore, I am drawn to this practice the most. However, once I was able to settle my mind and chose an individual the visualization exercise gave me direction. I use both of these exercises throughout the day when I feel stress but, have begun to implement them into my morning exercises of reading the Bible and running.

Michelle

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Integral Health


Hello!

Just a few short weeks ago the concept of integral health was not a part of my life; today it is a part of me and with each meditative practice I gain a fuller understanding of health, happiness and wholeness. This week’s meditative practice gave me a feeling of peace yet I also felt rejuvenated. I trust the best way for me to continue to apply these practices in my life is to reread both books from this class as I believe I will gain a greater understanding. In addition, set time aside each day for practice.

“One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself”

How do you describe the color red if you have not seen it? Or, how do you describe the feeling of hot or cold if you have not experienced it?

As a health and wellness professional it is essential I have the experience and expertise in my field in order to teach others. Plus, it is necessary that my lifestyle mirror that of what I am teaching; otherwise how do I expect my clients to believe in something that I myself do not. I implement psychological and spiritual growth into my personal life through mediation, physical exercise, reading the bible and by eliminating unnecessary stressors in my life.

Michelle

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Interpersonal Flourishing


Hello!

I found the words of the universal Loving-Kindness meditation exercise to be similar to words I use in some of my prayers. I chose Interpersonal Flourishing as an area of focus for growth and development in partially family. Both my husband and I have parents who are elderly with health issues that leave them with limited mobility. In addition, siblings who are having a hard time dealing with the stress in their lives. Doing daily practices of loving-kindness, witnessing mind and calm-abiding will help me to respond to their needs while maintaining my own health, happiness and wholeness.

 

Michelle

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Subtle Mind


Hello!

Last week’s exercise of Loving-Kindness focused on a loved one. At the time I had a family member in the hospital and found the exercise very beneficial. After doing the Subtle mind exercise I had to bring my mind back to my breath often but I experienced the image and how my mind let the image go.  I had an epiphany about how this works in our day to day life; experience the situation and let it go. Practicing these exercises it will become natural for my mind to let things go; a lot of our stress comes from what we hold on to.  I have yet to discipline myself enough to incorporate these exercises into my daily life. However, this week’s reading and discussion of using my physical fitness regimen to foster a mental or spiritual workout made me realize I am already a disciplined runner so I could begin by placing my attention on my breath while I run.

Michelle

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Mental Workouts!


Hello!
Once more, I felt relaxed in doing this exercise! It gave me time to think and focus on a family member who is currently in the hospital so therefore, I found it beneficial. I would recommend all the exercises within this class thus far as they require devoting time each day for practice similar to physical exercise plus with its own rewards; development of a better mental clarity. And so, I plan to implement these mental workouts into my daily schedule by devoting 15 minutes each morning for practice.
Michelle