Unit 10

These 10 weeks have been very beneficial for me. I used to concentrate on the physical and nutritional areas of my life, not realizing that my mind needed it's own time. I now see that we need to include the mental exercises so that we can be healthy in every aspect of our life.We release toxins from our physical body when we work out, we detox our systems when we switch out junk food for whole food, therefore we detox our minds when we practice mental wellness and release all the negative thoughts from our minds. Comparing the improvements made since Unit 3, I can say that my physcological health has been the one to improve the most. I am spending more time working on my meditation techniques which is leading to mind clarity, self-awareness, and less stress. This is really great at a time when there is so much going on in my professional life that would normally have me completely stressed out. Instead I'm using what I have learned through this class to keep me grounded and focused on the positive. My plan is to continue to exercise daily, eat healthy, and meditate daily. I found a place close to home where they offer free classes on meditation so I am planning on taking those classes so that I can improve my techniques. I want to continue to benefit from all that I learned in this class. I wish everyone the best on their own personal health and wellness journey!

Unit 9

Introduction:

In order to be able to understand and help each individual patient/client, health and wellness professionals must embrace all the aspects of integral health themselves.  As stated by Dacher, when we bring a matured inner life to our work, we also bring calm, care, and delight. Through our daily practice, we stabilize our mind and open our heart. (Dacher 2006).

I still have work to do in each area for integral health.  I am one that believes that there is always room for improvement and growth.  We make those improvements and achieve that growth through constant education. 

Assessment:

During my assessment I looked at where I was one year ago to where I am today. I only have myself as a “measuring stick”.  Physically, I am stronger today than I was before I started working out.  Psychologically, I have made great improvements because I have learned to think before I react to certain situations.  My stress level is not what it used to be and my normal blood pressure is testament to that.  Spiritually, my faith is strong yet I still have not made a true effort to find a church that I can be actively involved in attending regularly. I know I have room for improvement in all areas.

Goal development:

Physical:  I have a goal of regaining my total plant base, nutritionally dense eating lifestyle so that I can achieve my weight loss goal of 30 pounds by my next birthday in March.

Psychological:  The goal is to give myself more time each day for meditation and relaxation. 

Spiritual:  I would like to find a church to attend regularly and that I will feel comfortable in.

Practices for personal health:

Physical: I can continue to exercise each morning as I have been but also try to add in an evening walk or run to help clear my mind after a long day at work.  I will restart my meal planning so that I can stay on track with my plant base eating lifestyle.

Psychological:  I can continue to develop my meditation as it will help with my mental clarity and my spirituality.

Spiritual:  Prayer and meditation can help me open my mind and heart.

Commitment:

I plan on keeping a journal in order to track my growth in each area.  It’s not a journal that I will do daily but one that I can go to as I take notice of every small change or improvement in any aspect of my life.  The purpose of this journal is so that it will help me see if I need to make adjustments as I move through my journey.