INTRODUCTION

Why is it important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically? There is more to us as human beings than just the biological. To achieve true health the whole person needs to be treated. Especially in todays world of high stress, social isolation, and a never slow down world many of the physical problems we experience are simply a physical manifestation of our mental and or spiritual state. Even today's commercials for depression medication state that “depression hurts”. A perfect mental/physical example.

In the past 9 weeks while taking this class I have had the opportunity to asses the different areas of my life. While I believe there is always room for improvement in all areas, I would say my area for most improvement would be the psychological.


ASSESMENT

Two years ago, I started on journey to improve my health. This included working out, losing weight, and getting in shape. Shortly after there was a major life change that also helped me find my spiritual health, something I hadn't really known was in such bad shape. I felt myself beginning to feel happier and more in control of what and where my life was going. At the time of all these changes I was unaware that I was beginning a path the could lead to integral health. I'm continuing to improve these areas, but have found the psychologically, I have a lot of work to do. Initially, I was so focused on the first two areas, that nothing else really interfered. I was very fond of saying that I felt like the last 20 years had belonged to another person, and I was getting a chance to begin a new one. Having gotten this far, I now have to address the psychological aspect of my life. I've started to let my awareness expand beyond my training and as that happens, more and more “noise” is coming through.


GOAL DEVELOPMENT

I plan on working to quiet my mind, and expand on the loving kindness areas. After having been a wife and mother, I have spent the last 2 years focusing on me. This was a good thing, and something I really needed to do, but now I need to expand outwards. I tend to over think things and somehow make everything about me. It has started to overflow and affect now my physical and spiritual health.

For my physical health, although I've lost a significant amount of weight, I would like to drop at least 10 more pounds. These are those stubborn “last” 10, and I've been struggling for a year. I exercise very regularly but my diet though improved from 2 years ago, it has room (lots) for improvement.

As for my spiritual development I'm not sure what goal I have other than to try to continue with the growth I've recently begun and simply grow a little stronger. I would like to connect more with nature and learn to have a more simple and peaceful life.



PRACTISES FOR PERSONAL HEALTH

For my psychological improvement I plan to use the meditation we learned here such as the quiet mind and loving kindness. I would like to be able to learn how to not just quiet the noise but to eliminate it as much as possible. I also plan on using the loving-kindness exercise to move beyond my own little world but also to grow comfortable with myself with the hope that by doing so, I can improve my personal relationships as well. I definitely need to find time to each day to reflect and reground myself.

Physical improvement means taking control of my diet. This means eliminating much of the sugar currently in it and learning to control my carb intake better.
It means working hard on the quiet mind which well aid in reducing stress created by mindless mind wandering. I plan on continuing my current exercise regimen and working on my lifting.

Spiritually I’m not sure where I plan to go with this. I’m hoping that as I work with the meditation, and other avenues to improve my psychological, that this will kind of fall into place.

COMMITMENT

As a matter of assessment, going back and following the same steps for the original assessment seems to be the best possible choice. As improvement is made in each area, it should also become apparent in how I feel about myself, and handle my day to day activities.

Chap. 9

Exercises learned in this class that have benefited me.
First off, this has been an amazing class. I've learned a lot about myself, some good, some not so good. The nice thing though is I've also learned how to correct some of the not so good. Through out the class, I've mentioned a couple of times of a relationship I'm in that is has been rocky to say the least. This has been due to several factors, most of which I have to take responsibility for. I mention this as a way to explain why one of the mini practices was important to me. That was the in chap. 9, Interpersonal Flourishing. On page 93 is this small phrase:

May all individual gain freedom from suffering.
May all individual find sustained health, happiness, and wholeness.
May I assist all individuals in gaining freedom from suffering.
May I assist all individuals in finding health, happiness, and wholeness.

This has really helped me because it was simple for me to remember and I can do it at work where I need it most since I happen to work with this person. I got so wrapped up in me and this issue that I forgot how blessed I am in so many other ways. There are people at work facing much more serious problems, and thinking of them has helped me to get a clearer picture of my situation. I find when I'm feeling down, or losing site of the big picture, this phrase helps me to remember who lucky I really am.
The second exercise that I really liked was the subtle mine. I found while taking this course that a big problem I have is my internal dialog. If I could write, I'd be a best selling author. Quieting the mind is going to take a lot of work for me, but oh so badly needed. The useless chatter in my head is deafening and often counterproductive. It has also been a big part of my issues with this relationship. I over think things, or even, I'm pretty sure, talk myself into emotions that are more of the mind than the heart. Taking 30 minutes at the end of the day or if necessary at lunch, to find time to practice this is helping a lot. I have a long way to go as I said, but at least now I feel there is hope that and that it doesn't have to come from a prescription bottle.
As I said, these 2 together are helping me to quit the dang pity party, and remember what a great life I really have and how very fortunate I am to have my family, friends, health, and to also remember that all things will happen in their time.

Unit 6 Homework

I have to say I really like the Loving Kindness meditation. I seem to be really wrapped up in myself these days in on particular area to the point of distraction that is affecting many other areas of my life. I liked doing this because it helps to drive home my need to step out of this very unhealthy mindset. With that said, I believe the area I really need to work on is the interpersonal flourishing. I have been concentrating on a personal relationship that is really not going anywhere and have found that I've become very ME centered. I'm not honestly sure if this is really the interpersonal or the psychospiritual as it is definitely along the lines of emotional development that I need to work on. Even this work is ME oriented, so I'm a bit confused to say the least. I really think to fully work on this, I'll need to spend more time reading the book, doing the exercises, and look into other sources of help. I plan to really try to do the loving kindness meditation more, especially at work, as that is where a large source of my stress is coming from.