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?
The teacher must also be a
student – willing to learn – willing to grow – willing to impart knowledge and
examine their own short comings. To
truly understand a patient and the source of their suffering, health care
professionals must know what aspect of the patient’s life to look at for the
source of the problem (Schlitz, Amorok & Micozzi, 2005). Another aspect to
consider is that “optimal wellness/flourishing is self-cultivated rather than
reliant upon extrinsic healing” (Dacher, 2006).
It takes work within one’s self to flourish, and this is an ongoing
pursuit.
A wellness professional cannot
treat the whole person without understanding and implementing integral health
techniques themselves. “That means the holder of the tool kit, the practitioner
himself or herself must enter the transformative process, we must change
ourselves if we are to change the medicine we are practicing” (Dacher, 2006, p.
166). The areas that are needed to develop and achieve the goals are the
diagram for providing a holistic and integrated approach to health. Holistic, evolutionary, intentional,
person-centered, and dynamic principles provide the plan to understanding
mind/body medicine.
Psychologically: Professionals
must grow psychologically, keeping an open mind and considering new
perspectives and methods to achieve wellness.
Spiritually: Spirituality in the sense that
they acknowledge a higher power. There is something that exists beyond what our
5 senses can perceive: a state of mind, a being, or a place.
Physically: A professional must be physically
healthy. Being in good physical
condition sets an example for your clients/patients.
Personally I need to continue to develop in
all three areas. Physically, psychologically and spiritually.
Physically I am on the right
path. I exercise regularly, I am changing my eating habits and learning about
nutrition, and my energy level has increased – but it is a daily quest and old
habits are hard to shake.
Psychologically I need to work on
managing stress and my perception of what is stressful. I am very hard on
myself and need to be more forgiving. I
need to initiate meditation and the subtle mind techniques on a daily basis, no
matter how busy or chaotic life gets.
Spiritually, I need to find a
connection to something greater. I didn’t fully recognize the importance of
developing spiritually until taking Creating Wellness and dealing with some
looming issues in my life.
II. Assessment
How have you assessed your health
in each domain? How do you score your wellness spirituality, physically, and
psychologically?
In my personal assessment, I
think each area is in need of development for me to achieve the goals I
have. I can use improvement in all three,
psychological, spiritual, and physical.
Achieving complete wellness in a never ending quest, there will always
be a higher level of wellness to work towards.
As I have continued to learning more about integral healing, meditation,
and the new concepts I have learned in this and other classes, these areas will
improve with life practice, becoming part of my daily life.
On a 1-10 scale:
Spiritually: 3
Physically: 5 Psychologically: 6
Spiritually, I feel like I live
at a 3. This is the area that I need
most improvement. I get caught up in the
world and honestly don’t look to this usually until things are difficult. I
need to work on this immediately and think about the gratitude I have for my
life and all of the blessings I have instead of the challenges. It is always in my heart, but sometimes I
don’t make enough effort to keep it in my thoughts. There are opportunities to be grateful in
“every moment.” (Schlitz & Amorok, 2005)
Physically, I have improved
significantly in the past 3 years. I am halfway there. I have lost almost 60
pounds but recognize that I sometimes stall and I still have 40 more pounds to
g. I exercise three to four times a
week most weeks, I swim and do aqua yoga. I hired a personal trainer to do
strength training out of the water and unfortunately my back was not ready for
it. I am not as happy with my physical
appearance as I would like, particularly my midsection, this seems to be the
last place I am losing weight. I try to
eat healthy for the most part. I need to
increase my fruits and vegetables but my portion control is in great
shape. I understand I am a work in
progress.
Psychologically, I have overcome
so many struggles in the past two years. I gave myself a 6 because I am more
than halfway there. I am very proud of
myself for overcoming so many life changing events through my own mental
strength and will. In the past three years, I sustained a major breakup, a
criminal trial, the loss of a job and most life altering, the loss of my mother
after a 3 month battle with cancer. I did not allow myself to sink into a dark
place – I instead made it my mission to live the life I wanted. I went to therapy – got help from my doctor –
went to acupuncture, improved my health and found various new ways to cope. But
I also know my self-esteem suffers at times.
I allow myself to get too overwhelmed at times. Sometimes all I see are my shortcomings and I
am inpatient with myself. It is the area
that I feel I need the most focus at this time. I believe this part of why relationships
elude me. I am still putting too much energy into what others think of me.
III. Goal Development
List at least one goal you have
for yourself in each area: Physical, Psychological (mental health) and
Spiritual.
Physically: My goal for my physical self would be to lose
the remaining 40 pounds. I am still far from within the normal range. Losing 40
pounds would put me in the mid-range of normal (Health Check Systems.com). I would like to improve my diet, cutting down
on dairy and meat products and having a nutrition plan mostly comprised of
vegetables, fruit and whole grains.
Ultimately I would like to stop eating meat, but I am working my way
there. I am already utilizing Dacher’s
suggestion, using my physical workout as a time for my mental workout as
well. I think this is why swimming has
the benefits it does for me, it exercises both mind and body.
Psychologically: Using Dacher’s concept, “Skillful Action,” I
will work on training my mind to work in the way I need it to. I am beginning to use the mental exercises we
have practiced in class. I am confident
I could have a much improved level of psychological wellness. I hope
to “find happiness that begins with us and then keep cultivating it
until it is huge and unreserved, and does not hinder even during life’s
unexpected events” (Dacher, 2006). I
want to be in control of my emotions instead of reacting to situations
(Schlitz, Amorok & Micozzi, 2005).
Spiritual: Through meditation and reaching out
to people who are spiritually grounded, I need to find that something that
makes me feel connected (Dacher, 2006). I do not know if that will be God,
religion, nature, or something else, but I want to find that higher power, that
I can feel in my daily life. I want to
live with more gratitude. I want to
share my spirituality and gratitude with my family. “Psychological development becomes a
springboard for spiritual development” (Dacher, 2006) Once I eliminate the
mental chatter, I believe there will be an improvement in spiritual
development, with greater understanding (Dacher, 2006).
IV. 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.
Physical:
Strategies include creating a
more consistent water workout with measurables for progress. Right now I don’t have a measure to see where
I am as opposed to where I was 6 months ago.
I will also add hiking. This will
serve two purposes – I need to get outside and enjoy the beautiful city that I
live in and it will create a social activity for me – where I am accomplishing
my physical goals while developing relationships with like-minded people. (Waehner, 2005). Another strategy is planning my meals – instead
of looking for the right thing to eat at the last minute, I can take control and
know that I am eating right.
Psychological:
In order to achieve greater psychological
wellness, I will practice visualization along with my meditation exercises as
part of my daily routine to help control stress. Each morning I will sit
quietly before I begin my day. “Meditation is a way of training and
transforming the mind, for our concentration to become clear we need tee right
conditions, namely freedom from outer distractions” (Willis, 2002).
Affirmations have become part of my meditation as well. I mentally say them and
visualize what is being said and with that I feel a sense of rejuvenation. A second strategy is to practice the subtle
mind exercise (Dacher, 2006). This will help me achieve a sense of peace from
my chaotic work environment. This is something I will make time for during my
lunch break. Instead of sitting at my
desk, I will venture down to the beach and take advantage of my surroundings.
Spiritual:
This strategy is most challenging for me. I
believe hiking for exercise and leaving my office to go on the beach will
benefit me spiritually. The beauty and serenity of the ocean will allow me to
feel connected. There was a time where I
moved to Memphis and there was no beach, I remember how seeing the ocean made
me feel – like an old friend who understood me in ways I could not express. The
other strategy I will use for spiritual growth is the Loving-Kindness exercise
(Dacher, 2006). This exercise is a beginning, when we first did this I felt
ridiculous at first, but I have tried it again and my perspective has changed.
I will continue to practice and see if this helps.
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 have always journaled or
blogged without purpose. I will use my
journal as a tool to track how I feel about my physical, psychological and
spiritual growth. The journal can also be an outlet for stress by writing down
the negative thoughts and feelings and getting rid of them (Dacher, 2006).
In order to develop and maintain my long-term
practices for health and wellness, I will put my goals out in the universe. I
have found when you let others know what you are working towards, you are more
likely to stick with it. I am surrounded by resources and the lifestyle where I
live has an abundance of people and places that will support my goals. I have already invested by pursuing my
education, but must also invest my time and personal resources. I will keep an
open mind and try some of new techniques.
I plan to use commitments, to
myself, working toward the goals I have for myself. These vows come from Dacher, they are:
“I commit myself to:
Enter a personal process of
self-development. I recognize that this
requires an inward turn that is supported by the necessary changes in my outer
life and is grounded in regular contemplative practice.
· Study, understand, and integrate an
integral vision and its principles and practices into my personal and
professional life.
· To hold a vision of health and healing
whose final goal is health, happiness, and wholeness – a possibility that
exists for every person regardless of individual circumstances.
· Uphold the ethical principles of a
spiritual life; eliminate suffering and promote peace, health, happiness, and
wholeness for ourselves and others.
· Meet every individual as a unique
sacred being.
· Develop through personal contemplative
practice a healing presence that is acknowledging, comforting, reassuring,
safe, nonjudgmental, and infused with loving-kindness.
· Acknowledge and support the innate
healing capacities in each individual.
•
Hold all life as unique and precious.
In assessing my personal commitment, what
comes to mind is Dacher’s final chapter.
“It is difficult to clear a new path.
Yet, here and there, we must remember to take a deep breath and to focus
inward in order to remember who we really are, why I am compelled to write this
book, and you to read it." (Dacher,
2006)
References
Dacher, Elliott S., M.D. (2006). Integral
Health, the Path to Human Flourishing.
http://www.healthchecksystems.com/heightweightchart.htm
Schlitz, Marilyn; Amorok, Tina;
Micozzi, Marc S. (2005). Consciousness & Healing: Integral Approaches to
Mind-Body Medicine.
Waehner, Paige, 2005. Take it
Outside. About.com, January 3, 2005.
Willis, R. Wayne, 2002. Hope
Notes, 52 Meditations to Nudge Your World. Westminster John Knox Press
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