Here is my Unit 9 project.
I. Introduction: Spiritual wellness, mental wellness, and physical wellness are essential components for health and wellness professionals to grow in order to understand the journey and road traveled in support of integral health. Spiritual Wellness is about learning to appreciate and accept that which you cannot understand (Dacher, 2006) . Incorporating spiritual growth into your wellness program will lead to improved physical wellness (Dacher, 2006) . Just as certain, a lack of spirituality in your life will lead to increased sickness and disease (Dacher, 2006) . Increasing our mental wellness allows for the maturation and understanding needed to progress and sustain our integral health practices. Physical wellness is a dynamic process because it is always changing. We all have times of good health, times of sickness, and maybe even times of serious illness (Dacher, 2006) . As our lifestyles change, so does our level of health. My specific area of growth is within physical wellness, particularly nutrition. My work hours constitute little time for home cooked well balanced meals and quite often I consume meals that are not part of my physical wellness plan.
II. Assessment: I have assessed my spiritual and mental wellness through weekly reflections on how I involve myself in practices that help flourish these wellness aspects. Also, through meditation and guided imagery I push myself in order to lessen the mental chatter that initially dominated my mind. Physically, I assess my wellness through monthly physical fitness evaluations that I have incorporated from my time in the United States Air Force. Psychologically and spiritually my wellness levels are great because I make time everyday for reflection to diminish negative stimulus. Physically, my wellness level is good not great and I attribute that again to my nutritional components so I will continue to work on that aspect of my physical wellness.
III. Goal development: Physically my wellness goal is to remove high fructose corn syrup from my diet completely as well as plan my meals regularly in order to eat a better balanced meal. Mentally my wellness goal is to lessen my mental chatter during meditation and continue to grow through reading and educational attainment. Lastly, spiritually my wellness goal is to attend church on a more regular basis and involve myself in community events that create better spiritual journeys.
IV. Practices for personal health: Physical strategies such incorporating high intensity exercises and a better nutritional meal plan are important foster growth in my physical wellness. Mental strategies that I would like to practice for growth are to meditate 2 hours out of the day rather than just 30 minutes; also involving reading books into my personal entertainment rather than television. Spiritually, adding meditation into my routine 2 hours of the day will go a long way not only mentally but spiritually as well, also implementing church as a staple in my life will foster growth incredibly because of being in the presence of god. I intend on implementing my physical strategies through better time management and prior planning of my meals for work, and incorporating higher intensity training in place of endurance training twice a week. Mentally, I start my day at 7 a.m. each morning so instead of my normal coffee and reading the paper I will utilize an hour before work so that I can meditate and an hour after work to meditate and recharge myself. Spiritually, Sunday is usually my best day for rest and rejuvenation before the work week so adding morning service with the family will help my growth along with increased meditational practices will foster growth.
V. Commitment: In the next six months I will document in journals my progression spiritually, mentally, and physically so that I have a reference point to understand my progress or lack thereof. Moreover, I believe documenting my progression will help maintain my pursuit of integral health long term. My commitment to integral health and wellness will bolster my life and guide me as a wellness professional, so hopefully I can reach the loving kindness ideology and bestow this great state of being to my family.
Wow, Quite a program! I was looking at the meditation part mainly. That's a great practice to have. I can say because I used to do something similar to the duration you're suggesting here. I found for myself sometimes it was hard to stay committed to doing that practice but when times got tough and I stuck to the plan that's typically when I grew... That said, I've found historically that accountability from others has really helped keep me on track with my goals.. Not suggesting you need that but have you considered anyone as an accountability partner?
ReplyDeleteHere we are at the end of this class. I know I have learned a lot and by the looks of it you have too. Thanks for sharing and growing in this experience with me. I wish you the best of luck in all that life offers you.
ReplyDeleteHI Nicole
ReplyDeleteGreat Program. I agree with you that the mental and spiritual growth is also one of my weakness. I can see where life tends to get in the way and it seems that we do not have time to practice the mental health and spiritual health for ourselves. Your goals to addd 2 hours of meditation into your day, were you trying to do this everyday? Have to figure out if you were going to meditate in the mornings only or in the evenings only or a little of both? What type of meditation exercise were you considering? A imaginary type of exercise or one of our course practices- like the subtle mind?