UNIT 10 - FINAL POST

Review your unit 3 personal assessment of your psychological, physical, and spiritual well-being. Reflect on these areas . How did you score yourself on a scale from 1 to 10 in unit 3? How do you score yourself now? Has the score changed? Why or why not? Through the past 10 weeks I can honestly report that my scores have not necessarily changed to a dramatic scale.. I sadly did not go from the number 1 to a number 10 in any of these categories. However, today I can proudly report there have been changes. These changes have taken a conscious effort on my behalf. I know report my scores as follows: 2/10 in spirituality, 4/10 in physical wellness, 5/10 in psychological wellness. This is how I score myself now. The scores did change, but I have a very long way to go. Review the goals and activities you set for yourself in each area. Have you made progress toward the goals? Explain.Psychological Goal: I feel as if I have made the most effort and change in this category. I have made a conscious effort to evaluate myself from the inside out. I have had more self-realizations in the past nine weeks than I have had in a very long time. I realize that physical pain has a profound impact on the mind and the body. If you have had a chance to review weeks 9 blog posting I gave spoken to my orthopedist and pathologist about meditation and relaxation exercises over the past three weeks. I am happy to report that both are working for me and I plan on keeping this up for months to come. Spirituality, well..this is going to need some time and a whole lot of research. Have you implemented the activities you chose for your well-being in each of the three areas? This is still a work in progress, but Rome was not built overnight. Summarize your personal experience throughout this course. Have you developed improved well-being? What has been rewarding? What has been difficult? How will this experience improve your ability to assist others? I believe that I have begun the first step into fostering greater development into my life. I have begun to realize that my life is in need of change and the change is not out of reach. In order for me to integrate the concepts of integral health into my life I first had to realize what my life was missing. I am a firm believer that you cannot fix a potential problem if you do not understand what the problem is. I realize that my problems in life were veiled by the stress of everyday life. I understand that I have to make the changes in my life. I would like to remain consistent in the practices that I have learned in the past weeks in order to foster growth in my life.

Unit 9

UNIT 9

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?

Answer:

       The health care profession begins with an introduction to other people’s lives. In order for an individual to render the most significant care possible it is essential that the health care provider is aware that the patient’s illness may not only be subjective of only physical symptoms, but can accompany spiritual and psychological ailments as well. If the health care provider is unwilling to open their minds to inner structure in peace it will be very complicated to thrust that understanding to their patients. The mind-body connection must maintain a level of balance that is congruent with the persons needs. If the healthcare provider is unable to search past the mere physical symptoms of the illness; the patient, may suffer for the duration of their human life. A keen understanding of these three principles can offer a person insight that seems almost unfathomable. With a sense of development in psychological, spiritual, and physical development the health care provider can begin to render care that is Holistic in nature. The care will exceed treating mere symptoms, but instead will treat the persons as a whole from the inside out.

       I personally, have just begun my journey. In order for me to achieve the goals that I have presented for myself there are a number of aspects in my life I must make an effort to change. The first principles I must change are my worldly and personal perspectives about the world around me. The second principle I must address is a strengthening in my connection with the world around me. The third principle I must address in my life is the acceptance that there truly is a mind-body connection and it affects everyone differently. There are so many I would be writing to you until my hands and fingers felt as if they’d fall off. My journey has only begun. As I proceed to place one foot in front of the other I will continue to grow. I do not think this change is going to be easy but the goals that I have set for me are attainable. I realize that human flourishing is a gift. At the age of 30, I am truly glad that this path has been introduced to me.

II. Assessment:

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

Answer:

       Yes, I have assessed my health through the confines of this course. A number of weeks ago I reported that my assessment was less than “healthy.” This is a close reintroduction to my findings approximately nine weeks ago: 1/10 in spiritual wellness, 2/10 in physical wellness, and 2/10 in psychological wellness. The reasoning behind the hideous scores: I am not religious or practice religion of any sort, nine years ago I was diagnosed with Paget’s disease and suffer a number of medical ailments, and both a lack of spiritual connection and chronic physical pain has taken a toll on my psychological wellbeing.

       With that said...I have been able to evaluate my life constructively and take a good look into aspects of my life that need to change or are completely non-existent. Through the past nine weeks I can honestly report that my scores have not necessarily changed to a degree that is unrealistic. I sadly did not go from the number 1 to a number 10 in any of these categories. However, today I can proudly report there have been changes. These changes have taken a conscious effort on my behalf. I know report my scores as follows: 2/10 in spirituality, 4/10 in physical wellness, 5/10 in psychological wellness.

       The reasoning behind the improvements: I gave myself a minimum of 1 point because I realized just how poor my spiritual connection truly is. Although my score in the category of spirituality did not raise drastically the self realization that I met during the evaluation deserved credit. So my score went from a 1 to a 2. My physical wellness is not always perfect nor will it ever be, but since I started setting time for me - my physical pain has decreased. Integrating stillness and encouraging calm has offered me an outlet. After I have taken a few minutes to reflect on daily aspects my mind seems clearer. The most significant change that has occurred over the past weeks is a change in psychological wellbeing. I have begun to reform how I perceive the world around me. This has impacted on my interaction with family members, friends, and co-workers. These small steps have begun the process of balance into my life. This process is going to take time, effort, and an open heart. I am looking forward to raising my scores as time passes.

 

 

III. Goal Development:

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

Answer:

      Spiritual Goal: My goal in seeking a spiritual connection is attempt to find a spiritual connection that fits into my life. This means that I will have to physically educate myself and explore an array of cultural beliefs and religions. Without the knowledge of spirituality I believe that I will have a difficult time finding a spiritual connection.

      Physical Goal: My goals for this category may differ from someone that has not been diagnosed with a chronic illness. I realize that physical pain has a profound impact on the mind and the body systematically. I have spoken to my orthopedist and pathologist about meditation and relaxation exercises over the past three weeks. I have asked that both reduce the amount of pharmaceuticals used for my pain management and inflammation if meditation or relaxation practices reduce my pain levels. I explained to both of them that I will keep a detailed journal so that we may discuss changes in my physical conditions. Both physicians have agreed and are willing to work with me on this matter over the next 3-6 months.

     Psychological Goal: I feel as if I have made the most effort and change in this category. I have made a conscious effort to evaluate myself from the inside out. I have had more self-realizations in the past nine weeks than I have had in a very long time. I have adjusted pieces of my life to positively reflect who I am. I have been slowly removing negative aspects that I see as troublesome in my life.

       Recently, I took a close friend to lunch. I explained to her that her negative attitude, constant nagging, plethora of harsh words, along with her extraordinary gift to make others feel high levels of guilt...were not healthy for her or anyone around her. I offered some suggestions to help her try to connect with herself and even bought her a copy of Dasher’s book. She explained to me that I was being “foolish” and there was nothing wrong with her harshness because it protects her. Through the meal I watched her interact with the waitress attentively. I noticed her tone, body language, and sarcasm that she was projecting toward the waitress. I realized for years she has treated me the same way. At the end of the meal, I explained to her that I thought it best to not talk for a while. I proceeded to explain to her why. The interactions she was bringing into my life were full of hurt, anger, and harshness. Surprisingly, she looked at me in disgust...shrugged her shoulders and said “Really, Sarah – you will regret this!” I haven’t heard from her since.

 

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.

Answer:

       Spiritual: I will make an effort to educate myself to the point where I accept a spiritual guidance into my life. After I have completed this I will learn the realm of prayer. There seems to be healing powers in prayer. I hope to one day learn what this concept encompasses.

       Physical: Like I mentioned above, I have spoken to my orthopedist and pathologist about meditation and relaxation exercises over the past three weeks. I have asked that both reduce the amount of pharmaceuticals used for my pain management and inflammation if meditation or relaxation practices reduce my pain levels. Also, I have been watching my diet closer and eating less processed food.

      Psychological: I will continue to practice loving-kindness daily in my home and work life. I would also like to continue to weed out negative aspects that I see as damaging in my life. I think through doing this that my mind will be clearer, calmer, and more enveloped in aspects of life that need higher levels of attention.

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?

Answer:

      Call me old fashioned, but I will be keeping a recorded log in my daily schedule book (My little black book). I carry it with me everywhere I go. Four weeks ago I began writing down my feelings for the day and how it progressed through the evening. I also quickly jot down meals throughout the day when I have time. It has served as a record for me to keep about myself. I prefer this method over keeping and online journal only because I am more likely to write in my book every day. Whereas, I understand that I will not get on the internet every day.