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 essential for everyone to walk towards the path of human flourishing but it is even more important for health and wellness professionals to walk this path. According to Ken Wilber, “One cannot lead another where one has not gone him or herself”, this, I believe, is the reason why healthcare providers must develop psychologically, spiritually, and physically (Dacher, 2006). In anything that you do in this world, for it to be believable, and genuine, it must come from our passion and inner wisdom. If a nurse has just lectured a patient on the danger of smoking and in the same breath turns around and smoke while she is on her break, she has no grounds, and has lost credibility and trust from that patient. She unknowingly harms that patient with her words. We all must strive to practice what we preach.
Personally, since this class, I have been making some improvements on myself. Don’t get me wrong, I am still a beginner and still have a long way to go. Thankfully, this class have given me a place and tools to start with. I am working on my spiritually and psychologically and that is going well, but my weakest area is my physical aspect. I need work on this. Summer is right around the corner and I am looking to being more active. I am dedicating my summer to becoming more active and physically fit than I am now.
Assessment:
How have you assessed your health in each domain? How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically?
The way that I have assessed my physical side is by looking at myself in the mirror and getting on the scale. I know this does not give me a true picture of myself but it is a good start for me. Even though my clothes are still fitting I know that I cannot gauge my physical health with this. I know that I am not as active as I can be, so I need to do better. On a scale of 1-10, I would give myself a 5 right now. Hopefully, after this summer, I can bump this number up.
The way that I keep tabs on my spiritual side is that I make sure that I get in some bible reading time. I realize that is more like a checklist and not really spiritual at all. I am trying to get rid of my old habit and replacing it with a new one, like bible reading. Since the start of this class I have been combining mini meditation/visualization after my bible reading. I’ve noticed that I am not as angry as I use to be and I am feeling a bit more relaxed than before. I would give myself a 7 only because I sometimes miss a day or two.
For my psychological aspect of my life I would say that I am somewhere between 6-7. I had thought that I was at a higher level but after taking this class, I know I have a ways to go. I will continue to work towards human flourishing. It is a journey.
Goal development:
List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical, Psychological (mental health) and Spiritual.
Goal for Physical: To become more active this summer and to take up Tai Chi.
Goal for Psychological: To increase my time in my meditation and visualization as well as adding Tai Chi to my routine.
Goal for Spiritual: To set time aside each morning for my bible reading each morning (even if it is only 5 minutes). I realize that spiritual growth is more than just reading the bible but as this activity becomes a daily routine; it will become a part of me. This will help me to connect with God in a deeper and more meaningful way.
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 strategy to help foster personal growth in my physical aspect is to start getting outside more. I am planning on walking at least a mile three times a week and adding Tai Chi at least 3 days a week as well. In order to keep track of progress, I will ask my husband to take on this challenge with me. In addition, to keep ourselves accountable we will be writing our activity down on the calendar.
For my Psychological aspect, my strategy is to focus on loving-kindness and subtle mind activity. This is something I can do as a part of my daily bible reading routine. Taking a little time to get focused and clear my mind and praying for others’ well-being.
For Spiritual, I am integrating my Bible reading into my daily routine. Right now, I am reading a chapter a day. My goal is to read through the whole Bible. Tai Chi is an activity I have mentioned in my physical goal but it will also serve to foster my spiritual growth as well. I am planning on incorporating Tai Chi by using a DVD series.
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 plan on assessing my progress every couple of months depending how much I have improve or regress back to my old habits. I really like the idea of using a chart to help keep track of my progress. I am a visual person, so I believe this method will work for me. I also like the idea of keeping a journal that makes me rate myself every six months, very similar to what I am doing now.
Reference
Dacher, E. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, California: Basic Health.
Reference
Dacher, E. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, California: Basic Health.
Very good and informative! Why do you rate yourself only a 6-7 for your psychological wellness? I know it's wrong to judge someone without even knowing them, but I seem to do this in a positive way. Most people I assume to be good people and to be living some type of great life. I think of you in this way. You seem very in tune with life and I think that maybe you grade yourself a little harsher then what I would grade you at. Maybe that is why we cannot mark the point at which we can say well being is at it's highest level- yours, mine, and everyone else view the world and judge ourselves so differently. Isn't that strange? And we all are reaching for the same goal- wholeness and happiness.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling you'll get out of life what you want. Keep at it chicky! :)
Thank you for sharing your personal application. I remember my daily Bible readings, they began with short times and grew into a plan that was laid out so that the whole Bible was read throughout the year. I did that for seven years! Amazingly, even though I read through the Bible seven times there are still things in there it seems like I never heard of. Your devoted time will be blessed, don't get too concerned about the amount of time, enjoy the five minutes you have. May you find peace for your soul through the Word.
ReplyDeleteMaggie,
ReplyDeleteGreat job!! I think you may be a little hard on yourself and you have improved so much over the class. Be careful with that scale!! Sometime weighing yourself causes more stress. Maybe weigh yourself before you start becoming more active and then half way through the summer and then at the end. Just a thought to keep the stress down. Sometime we are too fixated on number!! I wish luck on this journey and know that you will succeed. It has been a pleasure getting to know you. O and I will be starting my masters right away in August but not at Kaplan, another online school. Much success to you!
Hi Maggie,
ReplyDeleteI think you are a very focus person and know exactly what you want. I just thought that you are a little bit hard on yourself. I think that you have rated yourself low. You are an8 or a 9 gauging from the activities and achievement that you have done. taking a partner is a great idea at least somebody will be there to correct us if we're going off board:). I did the same thing, I am more of a visual person too, and having a journal is a good method. Good luck in all you endeavors Robin.
Hi Miss Maggie,
ReplyDeleteI have to agree, you are a 10 in my book. ;) although I know what you mean. It's about where we are going, not where we are or where we've been.
As far as walking goes, it becomes a hunger, it feels so good to just walk...and walk... I want you to shoot for 4 miles in an hour by the end of the summer. The hour will fly by and you will be happy with the results. People underestimate the benefits and rewards of a good brisk walk. If you go get a dog....viola!! Instant walking companion who won't let you off the hook. Getting a slouth off the sofa might be really hard at times. NOT that he is a slouth, I've no idea...but "they" tend to turn into one now and again. ;)
Good for you on the bible reading...I find it complex & between the lines I see in big red print, "Michelle is on her way to hell" so... I love God and I pray and live my life doing unto others, but still...I fall short in terms of what I see in that book. ;) I DO love proverbs though. My favorite verse is Ecclesiastes--"To everything there is..." go look it up. ;)
Blessings to you Dear Maggie,
Michelle
Hi Maggie,
ReplyDeleteWe both have grown since we took this class and we will continue to grow and develop mentally,spiritually and psychologically; and with this knowledge we will help others develop also. I too will work on my physical aspect this summer because with the foot injury I was not able to be active at all, but now I will focus on waliking daily and then adding my stationary bike until I get a full release from my doctor. But we can do it Maggie, and I know you will succeed. Best of Luck and I hope to see you next term in one of the classes. God Bless You Maggie.