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