1. 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?
In unit 3 I scored myself physically at a 7, spiritually at a 10, and psychologically at a 10. In my unit 9 project I rated myself lower in all areas because I feel there are things I still need to work on in each area.
2. Review the goals and activities you set for yourself in each area. Have you made progress toward the goals? Explain.
I have made progress towards my goals in each area because as of now I am exercising to become physically fit, I am trying to find a church that I can join, and I do use the relaxing techniques on a day to day basis.
3. Have you implemented the activities you chose for your well-being in each of the three areas? Explain.
In unit three I said that I had to become serious about wanting to change these things and I am.
4. 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?
My personal experience throughout this course has been wonderful because I have learned so much in how to change my health for the better. I do feel that I have developed improved well-being. The most rewarding thing for me was learning strategies in how to grow in each area. What has been difficult is sticking to the plan. This experience will improve my ability to assist others because I have learned ways to fully develop in each area and in order to assist others I must be fully healthy.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Unit 9 Final Project
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?
”Unlike all other living beings, we are born with a unique and highly developed consciousness that endows human life with the capacity for language, creative imagination, self-reflection, discriminating intelligence, loving-kindness, and a good heart. If we choose to fully develop them, they enable us to realize in our lifetime an expansive and sustained flourishing of body, mind, and spirit” (Dacher, 2006, p. 7). I think it is important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually, and physically because if they are not fully developed in these areas they will not fully be able to help their clients. The area I feel I need to develop more to achieve the goals I have for myself is physically. At times I find myself extremely tired because I do not do what is necessary such as exercise to take care of my body. I eat unhealthy things and do not take the time to work it off. In order for me to someday be a counselor, I not only have to be psychologically and spiritually fit but I have to be physically fit as well because in order to help others to the best of my abilities I must first take care of myself.
II Assessment:
How have you assessed your health in each domain? How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically?
Spiritually- For my spiritual wellbeing I would rank myself 9 out of 10. I rank myself this high because I am a strong believer in God. I do not just call on God when things are going wrong but I talk to him when things are just right. I find this a problem with a lot of people today; they only call on God when they need something but never take the time to thank him for the good times in their lives. I must admit that at times my faith is shaken but I always know through prayer God will see me through whatever trials and tribulations I am going through.
Psychological- For my psychological wellbeing I would rank myself 8 out of 10. Before taking this course I use to allow the stressful things in my life to take over and get to me but I have learned exercises such as loving-kindness and relaxation to help me ease my stress. I find myself meditating more, praying more, laughing more, and not allowing my stress to control me but me to control my stress.
Physical- For my physical wellbeing I would rank myself 5 out of 10. I definitely need to develop more in this area. I find myself starting an exercise routine but after a while I stop. I eat unhealthy things that I know can eventually take a negative toll on my health. I need to find ways to develop fully in this area.
III Goal development:
List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical, Psychological (mental health) and Spiritual.
Spiritual- The goal I have for myself in this area is to start going to church more often. I go to church but not as often as I should and I need that to change.
Psychological- The goal I have for myself in this area is to meditate more often because I find that meditation calms my body, mind, and soul.
Physical- the goals I have for myself in this area are to start an exercise routine and continue it, go to the gym at least twice a week, and start eating healthier.
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.
Spiritual- I will start reading my bible on a daily basis. I have a children’s bible that helps me understand the stories a lot better. Each night before going to bed I will read a scripture out of the bible and reflect on what I read. I think this will bring me closer to God and help me grow in the process. I would also like to find a church that I can call home. I think the reason I do not go to church as much as I would like is because I have not found a church that I can truly say I want to be a part of. I will do this by going to church’s I have recently visited and see which church I feel has a plan for me. Finding a church to attend every Sunday would allow me to be part of something big and help me grow spiritually.
Psychological- I will start practicing more relaxation exercises. I will do this by continuing to listen to the relaxation exercises we completed in this course. I know after listening to the guys soothing, calm voice and the soft music I felt more relaxed than normal. I will also start taking more time out of my life to focus on myself. I find myself catering to everyone else’s needs and not taking the time to see what it is I need. Sometimes I need to enjoy myself and I do not do that much. I will do this by taking myself shopping, cuddling up with a good book, writing poetry, and many other things I enjoy doing.
Physical- I will join a gym in order to get physically fit. I will do this by going to a gym and getting a personal trainer that is going to push and motivate me. I will also start going to the track more often. My sister always goes to the track but I am always too lazy to join her. I will become more dedicated to getting physically fit and start pushing myself in order to grow in this area.
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 will assess my progress by writing out a list of goals I want to accomplish mentally, physically, and spiritually. Each time I accomplish a goal I will check it off the list. Once my list is completed I will make another list and do the same. I think that being dedicated and reflecting back on what I have learned from each and every course here at Kaplan will assist in keeping up with these practices long-term. Although, I may have grown in each of these areas, I still have a lot of developing to do. As Dacher said, “Human flourishing is an opportunity. No one can do it for us. We must choose it for ourselves” (Dacher, 2006, p. 48).
Reference
Dacher, E. (2006). Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA. Basic Health Publications, Inc.
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?
”Unlike all other living beings, we are born with a unique and highly developed consciousness that endows human life with the capacity for language, creative imagination, self-reflection, discriminating intelligence, loving-kindness, and a good heart. If we choose to fully develop them, they enable us to realize in our lifetime an expansive and sustained flourishing of body, mind, and spirit” (Dacher, 2006, p. 7). I think it is important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually, and physically because if they are not fully developed in these areas they will not fully be able to help their clients. The area I feel I need to develop more to achieve the goals I have for myself is physically. At times I find myself extremely tired because I do not do what is necessary such as exercise to take care of my body. I eat unhealthy things and do not take the time to work it off. In order for me to someday be a counselor, I not only have to be psychologically and spiritually fit but I have to be physically fit as well because in order to help others to the best of my abilities I must first take care of myself.
II Assessment:
How have you assessed your health in each domain? How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically?
Spiritually- For my spiritual wellbeing I would rank myself 9 out of 10. I rank myself this high because I am a strong believer in God. I do not just call on God when things are going wrong but I talk to him when things are just right. I find this a problem with a lot of people today; they only call on God when they need something but never take the time to thank him for the good times in their lives. I must admit that at times my faith is shaken but I always know through prayer God will see me through whatever trials and tribulations I am going through.
Psychological- For my psychological wellbeing I would rank myself 8 out of 10. Before taking this course I use to allow the stressful things in my life to take over and get to me but I have learned exercises such as loving-kindness and relaxation to help me ease my stress. I find myself meditating more, praying more, laughing more, and not allowing my stress to control me but me to control my stress.
Physical- For my physical wellbeing I would rank myself 5 out of 10. I definitely need to develop more in this area. I find myself starting an exercise routine but after a while I stop. I eat unhealthy things that I know can eventually take a negative toll on my health. I need to find ways to develop fully in this area.
III Goal development:
List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical, Psychological (mental health) and Spiritual.
Spiritual- The goal I have for myself in this area is to start going to church more often. I go to church but not as often as I should and I need that to change.
Psychological- The goal I have for myself in this area is to meditate more often because I find that meditation calms my body, mind, and soul.
Physical- the goals I have for myself in this area are to start an exercise routine and continue it, go to the gym at least twice a week, and start eating healthier.
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.
Spiritual- I will start reading my bible on a daily basis. I have a children’s bible that helps me understand the stories a lot better. Each night before going to bed I will read a scripture out of the bible and reflect on what I read. I think this will bring me closer to God and help me grow in the process. I would also like to find a church that I can call home. I think the reason I do not go to church as much as I would like is because I have not found a church that I can truly say I want to be a part of. I will do this by going to church’s I have recently visited and see which church I feel has a plan for me. Finding a church to attend every Sunday would allow me to be part of something big and help me grow spiritually.
Psychological- I will start practicing more relaxation exercises. I will do this by continuing to listen to the relaxation exercises we completed in this course. I know after listening to the guys soothing, calm voice and the soft music I felt more relaxed than normal. I will also start taking more time out of my life to focus on myself. I find myself catering to everyone else’s needs and not taking the time to see what it is I need. Sometimes I need to enjoy myself and I do not do that much. I will do this by taking myself shopping, cuddling up with a good book, writing poetry, and many other things I enjoy doing.
Physical- I will join a gym in order to get physically fit. I will do this by going to a gym and getting a personal trainer that is going to push and motivate me. I will also start going to the track more often. My sister always goes to the track but I am always too lazy to join her. I will become more dedicated to getting physically fit and start pushing myself in order to grow in this area.
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 will assess my progress by writing out a list of goals I want to accomplish mentally, physically, and spiritually. Each time I accomplish a goal I will check it off the list. Once my list is completed I will make another list and do the same. I think that being dedicated and reflecting back on what I have learned from each and every course here at Kaplan will assist in keeping up with these practices long-term. Although, I may have grown in each of these areas, I still have a lot of developing to do. As Dacher said, “Human flourishing is an opportunity. No one can do it for us. We must choose it for ourselves” (Dacher, 2006, p. 48).
Reference
Dacher, E. (2006). Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA. Basic Health Publications, Inc.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Unit 8
1. Review the exercises and practice sessions you have completed in this course. (Loving Kindness, Subtle mind, Visualization, meditation etc.) Choose two practices that you have determined to be most beneficial. How can you implement these practices in your personal life to foster “mental fitness”? Provide specific examples.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Unit 7
1. Explain how mindfulness or meditation has fostered an increase in your psychological or spiritual wellness. How can you continue to apply these practices in your life to foster greater health and wellness?
I enjoy each exercise we have to do. The more relaxtion techniques we do the more I feel relaxed, a peace of mind, energetic, etc. I can continue to apply these practices by continuing to do these exercises and finding more time to meditate alone in peace and quiet.
2. Describe the saying: "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself” (P.477) How does this apply to the health and wellness professional? Do you have an obligation to your clients to be developing your health psychologically, physically, and spiritually? Why or why not? How can you implement psychological and spiritual growth in your personal life?
This saying is simple and straight forward and I find myself saying it to a lot of judgmental people in my life. You can't tell someone about where not to go, how to do something, etc if you have not been there or experienced it yourself. I remember when I first enrolled in Kaplan and there was this certain person that told me I wouldn't enjoy this experience because nothing is like hands on experience. I asked her if she had ever tried going to school online and she said no. I simply asked her how can she tell me I wouldn't enjoy this experience if she had never experienced it herself? I can tell you that this has been one of the most exciting, fufilling, enjoyable experiences for me.
I enjoy each exercise we have to do. The more relaxtion techniques we do the more I feel relaxed, a peace of mind, energetic, etc. I can continue to apply these practices by continuing to do these exercises and finding more time to meditate alone in peace and quiet.
2. Describe the saying: "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself” (P.477) How does this apply to the health and wellness professional? Do you have an obligation to your clients to be developing your health psychologically, physically, and spiritually? Why or why not? How can you implement psychological and spiritual growth in your personal life?
This saying is simple and straight forward and I find myself saying it to a lot of judgmental people in my life. You can't tell someone about where not to go, how to do something, etc if you have not been there or experienced it yourself. I remember when I first enrolled in Kaplan and there was this certain person that told me I wouldn't enjoy this experience because nothing is like hands on experience. I asked her if she had ever tried going to school online and she said no. I simply asked her how can she tell me I wouldn't enjoy this experience if she had never experienced it herself? I can tell you that this has been one of the most exciting, fufilling, enjoyable experiences for me.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Unit 6
Describe the exercise and assessment process. What did you discover about yourself? What area have you chosen to be a focus of growth and development? Why? What are some specific exercises or activities that you can implement to foster greater wellness in this area?
I really enjoyed the Loving-Kindness exercise because it made me feel like I was truly helping others if only in my mind. My passion is helping others and I wish that I could help each and every individual gain freedom from suffering. Being able to meditate and have these thoughts in my mind was relaxing; it removed all of the negative thoughts in my mind and replaced them with positive ones. The Integral Assessment made me focus on the most difficult aspect of my life, in which ways I could change it, in what area of my life needed more development, etc? This assessment allowed me to view my life and the things in my life which needed changing. After doing this I realized that I needed to grow emotionally because I do allow certain things in my life to make me cry, stress, and feel bitter. I realized that most of these things I allow to control me are things from my childhood. I need to work on letting these things go and growing from them.
I think some things that I can implement to foster greater wellness in this area is to first pray about the things that bother me; I find great strength in prayer. Talk to others that will listen and give good advice, and learn to confront my past with positive emotions rather than negative.
I really enjoyed the Loving-Kindness exercise because it made me feel like I was truly helping others if only in my mind. My passion is helping others and I wish that I could help each and every individual gain freedom from suffering. Being able to meditate and have these thoughts in my mind was relaxing; it removed all of the negative thoughts in my mind and replaced them with positive ones. The Integral Assessment made me focus on the most difficult aspect of my life, in which ways I could change it, in what area of my life needed more development, etc? This assessment allowed me to view my life and the things in my life which needed changing. After doing this I realized that I needed to grow emotionally because I do allow certain things in my life to make me cry, stress, and feel bitter. I realized that most of these things I allow to control me are things from my childhood. I need to work on letting these things go and growing from them.
I think some things that I can implement to foster greater wellness in this area is to first pray about the things that bother me; I find great strength in prayer. Talk to others that will listen and give good advice, and learn to confront my past with positive emotions rather than negative.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Unit 5 Exercise
1. What are the similarities and differences in the individual experiences of the subtle mind and the loving kindness practices? As a health and wellness professional how can you individualize these practices to meet the needs of your unique population? Be prepared to provide specific examples.
I found the loving kindness exercise more relaxing than the subtle mind exercise. The loving kindness exercise taught me how to feel love for myself and others. The subtle mind exercise taught me how ones breathing helps to relax the mind. I can individualize these practices to meet the needs of a unique population by finding out what is more relaxing for others. Some may find the loving kindness exercise to be more relaxing while some will find the subtle mind exercise to be more relaxing. For instance, some people may find breathing exercises to be more helpful to them in relaxing while some will find that learning to love themselves and others is more relaxing and helpful to their health.
2. Discuss the connection of the spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness. Explain how the connection is manifested in your personal life
My spiritual wellness is what keeps me grounded in life. For me, being mentally, physically, and emotionally happy comes from my spiritual wellness. I have days when nothing seems to go right but as a child of God I believe that if I continue to pray and keep the faith everything will be okay. Without my spiritual wellness I don’t believe I could be mentally, physically, and emotionally happy.
I found the loving kindness exercise more relaxing than the subtle mind exercise. The loving kindness exercise taught me how to feel love for myself and others. The subtle mind exercise taught me how ones breathing helps to relax the mind. I can individualize these practices to meet the needs of a unique population by finding out what is more relaxing for others. Some may find the loving kindness exercise to be more relaxing while some will find the subtle mind exercise to be more relaxing. For instance, some people may find breathing exercises to be more helpful to them in relaxing while some will find that learning to love themselves and others is more relaxing and helpful to their health.
2. Discuss the connection of the spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness. Explain how the connection is manifested in your personal life
My spiritual wellness is what keeps me grounded in life. For me, being mentally, physically, and emotionally happy comes from my spiritual wellness. I have days when nothing seems to go right but as a child of God I believe that if I continue to pray and keep the faith everything will be okay. Without my spiritual wellness I don’t believe I could be mentally, physically, and emotionally happy.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Unit 4 Exercise
This exercise was not difficult for me. It helped me to see the things I need to change on the inside. At times we focus more on the outside than we do on our inner selves. I think this exercise showed me that our inner selves are important to an integral health.
“Like physical training, whether we are a pro or a novice, when we stop practicing, we will see a drop-off in our conditioning, whether physical or mental. To gain the maximum benefit from contemplative practice, it is important to clearly understand the practices and methods that you will be using” (Dacher, 2006, p. 65). I can implement mental workouts to foster my psychological health by trying to find more relaxing things to do on a day-to-day basis. Most day I am stressed from so many things and I think it is important for me to find things to relax me in order to be mentally healthy
Reference
Dacher, E. (2006). Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA. Basic Health Publications, Inc.
“Like physical training, whether we are a pro or a novice, when we stop practicing, we will see a drop-off in our conditioning, whether physical or mental. To gain the maximum benefit from contemplative practice, it is important to clearly understand the practices and methods that you will be using” (Dacher, 2006, p. 65). I can implement mental workouts to foster my psychological health by trying to find more relaxing things to do on a day-to-day basis. Most day I am stressed from so many things and I think it is important for me to find things to relax me in order to be mentally healthy
Reference
Dacher, E. (2006). Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA. Basic Health Publications, Inc.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Unit 3: The Mind Body Connection
1. Based on your reflections, and on a scale of 1 to 10 (ten being optimal well-being), where do you rate your A-physical well-being, B-spiritual well-being, C-psychological well-being? Why?
I rate my physical well-being a 7. I do exercise but at times I find myself rather lazy after I eat so I don't work out. I need to improve on that. I rate my physical well being a 10. I am a strong believer in God, I attend church, I pray, I read my bible, and I keep my faith no matter how hard things get. I rate my psychological well-being a 10 because I feel that I can think and rationalize well no matter how tough a situation is.
2. Develop a goal for yourself in each area (physical, spiritual, psychological). A goal I have for myself in the physical area is to exercise a lot more, a goal I have for myself in the spiritual area is to attend church more often, a goal I have for myself in the psychological area is to use more relaxing techniques on a day-to-day basis.
3. What activities or exercise can you implement in your life to assist in moving toward each goals? I think in order to help me move towards these goals I have to be serious about wanting to change these things in order to help me accomplish these goals.
4. Complete the relaxation exercise The Crime of the Century. To hear this exercise, click here. Describe your experience. (What it beneficial? Frustrating? etc.) I found this exercise to be very benefiting. Once again it was an exercise that was very relaxing and soothing. After completing this exercise I did feel grounded, loved, centered, connected, etc. Nothing was frustrating about this exercise.
I rate my physical well-being a 7. I do exercise but at times I find myself rather lazy after I eat so I don't work out. I need to improve on that. I rate my physical well being a 10. I am a strong believer in God, I attend church, I pray, I read my bible, and I keep my faith no matter how hard things get. I rate my psychological well-being a 10 because I feel that I can think and rationalize well no matter how tough a situation is.
2. Develop a goal for yourself in each area (physical, spiritual, psychological). A goal I have for myself in the physical area is to exercise a lot more, a goal I have for myself in the spiritual area is to attend church more often, a goal I have for myself in the psychological area is to use more relaxing techniques on a day-to-day basis.
3. What activities or exercise can you implement in your life to assist in moving toward each goals? I think in order to help me move towards these goals I have to be serious about wanting to change these things in order to help me accomplish these goals.
4. Complete the relaxation exercise The Crime of the Century. To hear this exercise, click here. Describe your experience. (What it beneficial? Frustrating? etc.) I found this exercise to be very benefiting. Once again it was an exercise that was very relaxing and soothing. After completing this exercise I did feel grounded, loved, centered, connected, etc. Nothing was frustrating about this exercise.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Unit 2: Relaxation
I am very new to this but this already seems like a fun experience. This week’s relaxation assignment was very relaxing. After a weekend of putting together a family gathering I was very overwhelmed. After cooking, cleaning, mingling with everyone I was extremely tired. Today I listened to the relaxation assignment. The guy’s voice was calm, the music was soft and relaxing, and he showed me a new way to make any part of my body relax. When I first started I didn't think this would work but after doing so I realized it worked. This was fun and I look forward to doing more exercises like this.
Yolanda Carrington
Yolanda Carrington
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