Hello Professor and Class,

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?

After careful revision of my assessment in Unit 3 my optimal wellbeing was at a 6.  The reason I choose 6 was because I was just getting back on track with my physical fitness regime, but now I rate myself with the score of a 9 because now I jog at least 5 days of the week as well as incorporating different physical activities such as yoga and playing soccer and back then I only incorporate jogging for at least three days per week because of my work schedules and the duties that I have to perform for my family.

For my spiritual wellbeing I rate myself at an 8.  Every day as I am awake I begin my day with reading the Bible and prayer, and throughout the day I tried as much as I possibly can to keep my mind spiritually uplifted by listening to uplifting music, and memorizing scriptures, but now I rate myself at a 9 because my spirituality improve with each passing day.  Now I am more thankful, forgiving as well as offer my skills, time, and resources to those in need.

For my psychological wellbeing I rate myself at a 5. I was learning more about myself each day in dealing with stressful situations, and most times I would get irritable whenever I couldn’t figure something out, and reluctant in asking for help when needed because I am often fearful of others rejection.  But now I am at a 9, as it gets better with time.  Whenever I encounter stressful situations I restrict unhealthy mental habits like worrying, and fear, as well as meditating, praying, and enjoying nature.

Review the goals and activities you set for yourself in each area. Have you made progress toward the goals? Explain.

I have definitely made the necessary steps toward my goals, because now I have more love for myself as it wasn’t there before and I believe that through all the obstacles that life throws at me I will overcome them and become victorious.

Have you implemented the activities you chose for your well-being in each of the three areas? Explain.

I have implemented the activities I chose for my well-being in each of the three areas:

v  Spiritually – I am more involve with activities such as mindful meditation, journal writing, and practicing yoga on my days off from work or when I have some leisure time.

v  Physically – I join a soccer club and we have practice 4 days of the weeks, and the other days when I’m not at practice I’m at the organization within my community that facilitates more physical activities for others.

v  Psychologically – I do things that bring the greatest joy to me such as cooking for the homeless, and volunteering my resources and time to those in need, as well as surrounding myself with positive sounds of inspiration.

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?

Personally my experience during this course was overwhelming, even though I may have to repeat this class.  The most rewarding asset that I’ve gained from the class was the meditative practices because they have provided me with a new and profound perspective of myself and the relationship that I will encounter with others.  But now I know that obstacles will arise during my journey in achieving my goals and I’ve purposed within my heart that this too shall pass.  For me to effectively provide assistance to others all my attributes have to be intact, and now my spiritual, physical, and psychological levels have improved significantly. Therefore only when I am up to standards will I foster care to myself and others.

Thanks Professor for a job well-done.

Unit 9: Grand Finale Blog

UNIT 9 FINAL PROJECT

Carolyn Hislop

Kaplan University

HW420-01 Creating Wellness: Psychological and Spiritual Aspects of Healing

Professor Mark Maule

November 18, 2014

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?

It is very important that all health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically because it is only then will they administer care to others.  They have to love themselves first before telling others to love their counterparts.  I believe the areas that I need to developed fully before achieving the goals I have for myself are spiritually and physically.  With my spirituality I need to trust more in the Creator as He’s the reason why I am here on this earth, and physically I must exercise more on a regular basis so that I can achieve all that life has for me.

Assessment:

How have you assessed your health in each domain? How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically?

Before this class my health in each domain needed a vast improvement, but over the course of the few past weeks I have elevated myself tremendously.  My Spiritual level now is at an 9 because now I know that whenever issues and situations arise that I can’t handle I just give to my Maker because He’s the giver of all good things, and I was beautifully matriculated within His likeness.  Physically I’m at a 7 but there’s always room for improvement, but with school, work and home I balance myself in exercising for at least 30 minutes for at least four days of the week.  Psychologically I’m at a 9 because I am overcome so much in getting to where I am today and where I will be tomorrow.

Goal development:

List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical, Psychological (mental health) and Spiritual.

One goal that I have for myself in each of the following areas includes:

Physical – Exercise for at least 45 minutes each day for five days of the week while incorporating different physical activity on each day.

Psychological (mental health)  - I plan to retrain my mind in loving myself and rewarding myself more by treating myself to a gift each month, or by visiting a different State every three months.

Spiritual – I plan to renew my covenant with God by studying and reading His word more.  Each month I plan to read a different book within the Bible, and memorize a scripture verse every day.

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.

The strategies that I will implement to foster growth in each of the following domains include:

Physical – I will learn to play soccer. I will seek out a soccer club within my area and become a faith member by joining it and going to regular practice, and I will also exercise more finding me an exercise partner.  I will start an exercise club within my community by recruiting serious members that want a better way of life.

Psychological – I will implement meditative practices an integral part of my life my joining a club so that I can learn Tai chi, and I will buy meditation products such as books and audio, cushions, pillows, mats, incense, and supplies that are used in yoga.

Spiritual – I will attend church more on a regular basis and getting involve with the programs that are being implement by joining the Pathfinder Club as a counselor so that I can foster guidance to the younger generations and I will also pronounced blessings over myself by reciting scriptures such as Joshua 1:9 which states that, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest,” and Philippians 4:13 which states that, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

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 committed myself in assessing my progress in the next six months by loving myself more unconditionally with each day.  I have invested in purchasing a journal and a diary by utilizing it on a daily basis in setting short term goals such as rewarding myself by going to a spa every two week, buying myself something nice whenever I get pay, memorize scriptures of encouragement, thanksgiving, praise, comfort each day, and by going on nature trails every weekend.  When I have achieved my short-term goals they will steer me along the pathway in achieving my long-term goals by fostering in development, and it will only through that I will be able to help those who are journeying on that need assistance.  When these goals are implemented they will cultivate and increase my maturity level by enabling me to live healthier lives by practicing profound happiness and wholeness (Dacher, 2006).

Reference:

Dacher, E. S. (2006). Integral health the path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic

      Health Publications, Inc.

Unit 8: My Two favorite Practices

Hello Professor and Class,

After reviewing the exercises and practices sessions, two practices that I have determined to be most beneficial to me are “The Relaxation Exercise - The Crime of the Century” and “The universal Loving Kindness (meditation).”

I was truly mesmerized after listening to the relaxation exercise because it puts me into a relaxing atmosphere.  I was completely taken into the rainbow technique.  I was seeing a beam of light going through a prism with the colors separated by each body regions that coincide with each color.  I felt grounded and secured by the color red., and also I could relate to the color yellow because it confirms my affirmation of being loved by others.  After completing the exercise, I felt really rejuvenated, refreshed and focused.

After practicing the universal Loving Kindness (meditation) exercise as outline in the text I found this very fulfilling and rewarding.  The loving kindness exercise allow me to shift all my attention as a gift in loving myself more before loving others and also not to let anything septic to seep into my domain (Dacher, 2006).  My health is my responsibility. I am the only person who can make the lifestyle decisions that will contribute to my well-being, and I am the one who must take the steps to preserve my health and promote my wellness since the power lies within me.

When these practices are implemented within my life they will increase my levels of health, happiness and wholeness in yielding to profound longevity.  On a physical level, meditation:

·         Lowers high blood pressure

·         Lowers the levels of blood lactate, reducing anxiety attacks

·         Decreases any tension-related pain, such as, tension headaches, ulcers, insomnia, muscle and joint problems

·         Increases serotonin production that improves mood and behavior

·         Improves the immune system

·         Increases the energy level, as you gain an inner source of energy

Meditation brings the brainwave pattern into an Alpha state that promotes healing. The mind becomes fresh, delicate and beautiful. With regular practice of meditation, mentally it will:

·         Anxiety decreases

·         Emotional stability improves

·         Creativity increases

·         Happiness increases

·         Intuition develops

·         Gain clarity and peace of mind

·         Problems become smaller

·         Meditation sharpens the mind by gaining focus and expands through relaxation

·         A sharp mind without expansion causes tension, anger and frustration

·         An expanded consciousness without sharpness can lead to lack of action/progress

·         The balance of a sharp mind and an expanded consciousness brings perfection (artofliving.org, 2014).

References:

Dacher, E. S. (2006). Integral health the path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic

      Health Publications, Inc.

http://www.artofliving.org/meditation/benefits-of-meditation

Unit 7 Blog: Meeting Aesclepius

Hello Everyone,

Complete the Meeting Aesclepius mp3 (located in the Doc Sharing area). Describe your meditative practices for the week and discuss the experience. 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?

The meditative practice for this week was focused on the “Meeting Aesclepius” exercise. I was able to close my eyes and visualize my mentor which is my Grandfather who had passed on 17 years ago.  Tears were streaming down my face because I was in his presence and I could embrace him and tell him how much I miss and love him.  Being in close proximity to him I could felt his body permeating my entire being, and erasing all sense of isolation, confusion, and pain, by giving me the profound gift of health and happiness.  Mediation has definitely fostered an increase in my psychological and spiritual wellness by improving my mental health as well as giving me a peace of mind, and allowing me to love myself more. I will continue to apply these practices in my life to foster greater health and wellness by implementing meditative practices and retraining my mind.

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?

Personally the saying: “One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself” (Schlitz, Amorok & Micozzi, 2005), means that a person cannot give another an advice about anything if that person has not experience or undergone the same thing, and for the health and wellness professional advice can’t be given based on opinions.  Yes I do believe that I do have an obligation to my clients by developing my health psychologically, physically, and spiritually because a sick person cannot provide healing to another sick if they are both suffering from the same ailments.  One must be whole before administering assistance to another.  I can implement psychological and spiritual growth in my personal life by memorizing scriptures from the Bible daily, listening to uplifting music, practice meditative exercises such as prayer, yoga, Qi gong, physical activities such as playing soccer, riding a bike, running etc., and playing mind bubbling games.

Reference:

Schlitz, Amorok & Micozzi. (2005). Consciousness & Healing: Integral Approaches to Mind-Body Medicine.

Unit 6: The universal Loving Kindness (meditation)

Hello Professor and Class,

After practicing the universal Loving Kindness (meditation) exercise as outline in the text I found this very fulfilling and rewarding.  From the past couple of weeks, I have undergone some serious experiences and the only thing left for me was to give up and let go of everything.  Currently my mom, sister, and her son are all living with me and neither one are bringing any income in, and I also have to be paying for school and this semester my tuition increased tremendously and this was very burdensome to me.  I realized that things were occurring inside my body that wasn’t there before.  One night I came home from work with intense pain within my chest cavity so I had to call 911 and after careful examination they told me they don’t understand what was happening since all my numbers seemed normal.  They asked if I wanted to go to the emergency room but I detested.  So I went to see my doctor the next day and told him what had happened, and he said he couldn’t find anything wrong.  He then sent me to a specialist and all the results came back normal, and then he reevaluate me and told me that stress was a huge factor for all that was occurring inside my body.

I then discovered that as my consciousness expands, it also affect my surroundings, and for me to develop to my full potential I have to take charge of my situation by embracing and loving myself to the utmost which will enable me withdrew myself from others and circumstances that are a deficit to my health, wholeness, and happiness.  The loving kindness exercise allow me to shift all my attention as a gift in loving myself more before loving others and also not to let anything septic to seep into my domain (Dacher, 2006).  My health is my responsibility. I am the only person who can make the lifestyle decisions that will contribute to my well-being, and I am the one who must take the steps to preserve my health and promote my wellness since the power lies within me.

I know it is difficult to get where I needed to be, but I have purposed within my heart that no matter what life throws at me I will be triumphant.  I have started to take mini steps by incorporating physical activities on most days of the week as will enhance my mental well-being and put me on path to a healthier life.  Some days I go running or jogging, other days I pray and meditate, and I also choose to forgive myself and others.  The issues or grievances that I with others I intend to face them head-on and recover lost emotional closeness.

Reference:

Dacher, E. S. (2006). Integral health the path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic

      Health Publications, Inc.

Unit 5: Loving kindness Exercise & Subtle mind Exercise

Compare and contrast the Loving Kindness exercise and the Subtle mind exercise. Explain your experience including the benefits, frustrations etc.

I enjoyed the loving-kindness experience much easier exercise than the subtle mind exercise.  With the loving kindness exercise I allow the feeling of loving kindness to flow within my heart as a faucet that’s been turned on.  My heart was opened fully to experience the feeling of care and affection with both the pleasant and unpleasant entities.  Peace was welcome within my heart and soul as I know how essential it is to love myself before extending it to others.  All the emotions of loving kindness could be felt when I thought about seeing my mom for the first time within the trauma room at the hospital after she experienced a serious car accident.

With the subtle mind exercise, I had to train my mind to remain focused on what was occurring at the present moment, I also try to remain attentive at all times whenever my mind seemed to wander.  It was a very forceful process in trying to tame the busy mind (Dacher, 2006).

Discuss the connection of the spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness. Explain how the connection is manifested in your personal life.

The connection of the spiritual wellness and physical wellness are intertwining as they go hand-in-hand with the other.  One cannot achieve the goals of human flourishing unless mental and physical wellness is implemented.  Spiritual wellness allows us to maintain a constant line of communication between our Creator and ourselves through active prayer and meditation.  Prayer is a communication process that allows us to talk to God.  It is the place where pride is abandoned, hope is lifted, and supplication is made.  Prayer is also the place of admitting our need, of adopting humility, and claiming dependence upon God.  Prayer is the needful practice of the Christian.  Prayer is the exercise of faith and hope.  Prayer is the privilege of touching the heart of the Father through the Son of God, Jesus our Lord (carm.org, 2014).

Regular exercise and the consumption of a healthy diet can lead to a host of benefits, including increased energy, happiness, health and even a long life. Exercise and diet are pivotal to determining a person’s overall health, and making them both part of your lifestyle can make a dramatic difference in how you look and feel. 

This connection is manifested in my personal life by engaging within a constant communion with my Heavenly Father.  With all the pain, abuse, sufferings, disappointments, and humiliations that I have experience in life by implementing spiritual wellness alongside physical wellness I have experienced such peace, joy, humility, love, forgiveness, and appreciation towards myself as well as others.  Spiritual practices tend to improve my coping skills and social support, foster feelings of optimism and hope, promote healthy behavior, reduce feelings of depression and anxiety, and encourage a sense of relaxation.

References:

http://carm.org/christianity/prayer-ministry/what-prayer

Dacher, E. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications.

Unit 4 Blog: Loving-kindness and The Subtle mind

Describe your experience. Did you find it beneficial? Difficult? Why or why not? Would you recommend this to others? Why or why not?

This exercise took me to place in my life when I was very vulnerable, as I felt a strange breath of emotion hovering over me. It was not too long when I was feeling a sharp pain above my right chest cavity area, and amidst the entire multiple doctors’ visit and extra test and still all the results came back negative.  I was a bit worried for a while.  I had a premonition about death (as most people do when they’re sick), and it took me back to the year when I lost my grandfather to cancer.  I thought about seeing him on the other side, and would he recognized and welcomed me there.  My experience with this exercise reminded me of the love we had for each other, and how I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye to him with all the sadness that was associated with the pain he was enduring. During this practice I followed all the suggestions with ease, observing all the emotions, while synthesizing them one by one. I was able to achieve reaching that place of giving myself and him total care, love, kindness, spaciousness, and a place of peace and tranquility. I am going to save this practice so that I can do it over again, while encouraging others to try it. I was mesmerized by the voice of the woman as she spoke with such calmness and peace.  I would definitely recommend this exercise to all those who want to have a calming, soothing, transitional experience, as well as obtaining a optimal meditative state of mind. Love and kindness are feelings that are readily available, especially when relating these emotions to my loved ones.

What is the concept of "mental workout"? What does the research indicate are the proven benefits of a mental workout? How can you implement mental workouts to foster your psychological health?

Daily practice is the mental workout required to psychospiritual growth and prosperity. Similarly to regular exercise, a few hours every day, lead to positive results. Achieving the endless possibilities of meditation is the goal of the practice, attaining confidence; peace and wisdom are a derivative of this practice. A few hours per day, even if one can’t stay still, will strengthen the practice, until the point where one doesn’t want to get up is reached.

To me, the concept of “Mental Workout” is to exercise the mind to its full capacity in becoming much healthier than it was before.  According to Dacher (2006) “Mental Workout” means utilizing contemplative practices to explore the inner world and evolve our psychospiritual life.  The goal is for progressive development of an expanded consciousness and healing within the mind, body, and spirit.  There are two contemplative practices; they are loving-kindness and subtle mind. 

Loving-kindness opens our heart to others and gradually diminishes self-centeredness, priming our mind for further development.  When we attract loving-kindness, our mind is calmer and a far better candidate for contemplative practice.

The contemplative practice of the subtle mind addresses three levels that opens the mind and reveals insightful wisdom of truth of life and existence.  Research indicates the proven benefits of a mental work out results in awareness and experiences of the mind and its many levels and capacities in healing and the development of the qualities of human flourishing which are health, happiness, and wholeness. 

So in order for me to implement mental workouts that will foster my psychological health, I will need to devote at least one hour a day of my time and effort towards incorporating one of the contemplative practices of either loving-kindness or subtle mind.   By doing so, I will definitely be more than able to still the mind and develop a witnessing consciousness that subsequently progresses toward the stable and facile mind of calm-abiding (Dacher, 2006).

Reference:

Dacher, E. S. (2006). Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications