Reflections!!!

After reviewing my personal assessment, I am a little discouraged because my scores did not change. I am overall 7 to 8's in each area, with 8 being my better days of course. Once I got past my discouragement, I concentrated my efforts on the question why? I have a few answers ....first I think I am hard on myself. 2nd...I really want to take the time needed here to advance my score even 1 point. I am conscious of the reality it takes to improve in each of these areas, let alone just one. 3rd...I believe I rated myself on the long term scale. I want to get to levels 8, 9, & 10 but then I want to stay there! These are my long term goals and ones I feel I can attain! :)

I have set up goals in each aspect of my wellness, and I have made baby steps in each of them. My progress has to start in my mind first. I have to mentally strengthen my "plan" in my head so I can begin the process. I gave myself to the end of this course to start and not turn back. I am already plugged into a "2 a week" exercise routine, which will be to 3 by next week. I want to work up to at least 4 times a week with some exercise routine. My journals are helping me out to stay accountable. I like and need the accountability, even if it is just in the journal form. My spiritual arena has expanded. I am reading more, praying, more and meditating more. I am incorporating a lot of my mind and spirit exercises together. These 2 really work together for me. I found myself practicing the exercise of "quieting my chatter" to praying that God would quiet my chatter! He helps me so much....more than words can say!

Creating Wellness





Running Head: Creating Wellness

Creating Wellness: Psychological and Spiritual Aspects of Healing

Cindy Fouhy
Unit 9 Project
Kaplan University
Chrisanne Moran
September 1, 2010


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?

It is important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually, and physically so that we may help others to flourish in their wellness, too. We cannot thoroughly assist others in their journey to integral health if we, ourselves, are not equipped in these aspects of our lives. It is important, as Elliott S. Dacher reminds us, we can train our minds “to develop a healthy inner life” and with this training, we can “enhance our level of emotional and physical well-being and our capacity for health” (Dacher, E.S. (2006) pg. 21). Every portion of our body, from head to toe, is interconnected, works together and can work against one another, thus it is vital to relate all areas of our being as one, and help them to function in a positive, healthy way.

I really need to develop each of these areas. Some days I am flourishing more in one aspect than in another, but overall, I need to work on all of them, together. This class has truly introduced me to the supreme design of the mind, body, & spirit connection. Therefore, I believe, I will benefit greatly by striving to develop these areas in one accord. I will concentrate my efforts individually, but at the same time, I will recognize the effect one has on the other.

II Assessment & III Goal Development

How have you assessed your health in each domain? How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically? List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical, Psychological (mental health) and Spiritual.

The way I have assessed my health in each domain is through Dacher’s “five guiding principles: holistic, evolutionary, intentional, person-centered, and dynamic” and also by his “six principles of integral assessment” (Dacher, E.S. (2006) pg. 35 & 105). Through each of these principles I have become more aware of how “well” I really am doing in each area. I have to first be completely honest with myself. I have realized that this journey to wholeness is strictly dependent on how truthful I am in regards to my spiritual, physical and psychological health.

My spiritual domain requires me to scrutinize my strengths and my weaknesses. I am confident that my strengths are definitely gifts to me from God. I also recognize that I have many weaknesses but because of my faith in a higher power, I am not alone, and I can achieve “all things through Christ who strengthens me” (NKJV Phil. 4:13). Am I completely there at a level 10? No, of course not. I would give myself a score of a 7 in my spiritual domain because I still have a lot of work to do. I want to incorporate my daily devotionals with God and my family on a consistent basis. My desire to set aside time within my busy life to honor God and sit in His presence daily is a yearning I hope to achieve. I hunger for ultimate contentment in my heart and soul. With the pure acknowledgement of these things I have said, I can work daily at my ultimate goal of being one with Christ. I have been given gifts that I can choose to use according to His will and with this choice; I will thrive and grow in my spirituality.


My physical domain is adequate. Again, I have a lot to do in this area as well. I would rate my physical domain as a 7. I make fairly healthy lifestyle choices in regards to my nutrition, exercise, and medical care. I have a profound family background in health and nutrition and try to apply my experience and knowledge to my daily life. The attention I dedicate to my medical care, illnesses, screenings, and overall health awareness is exceptional. Now, the part I procrastinate in is my exercise habits. I cannot seem to establish a solid, daily, routine of a continuous exercise regime. This is definitely part of my plan for my journey to whole wellness and I am actually eager to embark on this element of my life!

My psychological domain varies from time to time. I would say I am a 7 in this arena of my life due to the inconsistent swings. I live a very demanding and somewhat hectic life thanks to my wonderful and considerably large circle of family and friends. A life I would not trade or change for anything. Nevertheless, stress is a factor and one I need to deal with on a regular basis. I am the type of person that thrives on action filled days and countless excitement. I love to fall into bed at night, exhausted, but with a smile on my face because I feel like I made the most of my day, but, it has proven to take a toll on my psychological domain. I have noticed that I need to set aside quiet time and meditate on the positive elements of life and not just hurry around all day. I have already begun the process of daily breathing exercises, prayer time and meditation. I also have started to plan more things instead of being so spontaneous. I feel the planning process really helps me to breath deeper and relax. This class has sincerely encouraged me to strive for a healthier inner mind peace.



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.

My intention of implementing an exercise routine will completely aid in fostering my growth in my physical domain. I am currently researching complete work out videos so that I can exercise in my home. This way I do not have to rely on a friend or the weather or even gas in my car, to complete my daily work out. I think this will be really instrumental in providing me with an easy and dependable exercise schedule. I am going to attempt to workout at least 30 minutes every weekday morning while my kids are at school.

Psychological growth will be cultivated by quiet times. I really believe my mind needs that special time to go unused for a portion of my day. I plan on taking at least 15 minutes to start with and find my quiet place and check-out for awhile. I plan on using the visualization exercise for sure. I absolutely identified with this technique and am able to connect quickly to a vision which has brought me happiness. I also want to meditate on smells that have jolted my mind and have brought me complete delight. All my kids are now in school and I should have no problem implementing this detail in my day. Through this course and books, I have learned how to breathe and meditate.

My spiritual realm is going to really work together with my psychological domain. I am going to incorporate my meditation time (which will aid in fostering my psychological space) with my prayer time. I love to spend time with God and read His word. I will be reading, praying, and meditating on God’s scriptures at the same time I will be deep breathing and relaxing! What better way to enhance my relationship with my heavenly Father!

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 am going to obtain and then maintain a journal for each domain. I want to start off each journal with an account of how I feel now. I want to include my intentions and the reason for my intentions. I want to illuminate my excitement about my goals and the purpose for starting this new process in the first place. If I get discouraged, I can revert back to my journals and remind myself of the positive results that will follow. I am going to journal the date, time, and activity I participated in. I will be able to go back over my journals and see exactly how many days and for exactly how many hours a week I devoted to my life goals. This is really important to me now that I have really committed to taking this journey. I believe once I produce the quality habits I am aiming for, I will hopefully be able to attain the drive and ambition I have now and really bond with the supreme level of health, happiness, and wholeness.







References:
Dacher, E. S., (2006) Integral Health; the path to human flourishing. Basic Health Publications, Inc., Laguna Beach, Ca.

Google Images (2010) Retrieved on September 1, 2010 from http://www.google.com/search?q=google+images&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7ADBF_en