Final project

Final Project

Jennifer M Baer

Kaplan University

HW420-03

January 9, 2011

Final Project

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 only way to achieve optimal wellness is by developing psychologically, spiritually, and physically.  I feel that it is of utmost importance for a health and wellness professional to practice what they preach and if they are not fully developed in each of these areas of their life they have no business telling me how to live my life.  Therefore, as a future health and wellness professional, it is important for me to develop these areas of my life in order for my patients to take me and my advice seriously.  I personally feel that I need to spend more time on developing each of theses areas of my own life before I graduate in August 2011 and begin looking for a job in my field of study. 

Assessment

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

      There was a time in my life that I was in great physical and mental health.   During that time I felt wonderful!  People in my life recognized this and many people called me “smiley”.  Then I went through some difficult times.  My grandmother, with whom I was very close, passed away suddenly and I stopped taking such good care of myself.  I began focusing more on other people in my life and their wants and needs.  Then a few months ago I realized that I was in a bad place mentally and spiritually.  My physical health was fine however; I knew that I could do better.  I started to question a lot of things in my life and began making changes. 

      When I started this course I felt that physically I was at an 8 and that I needed to start exercising more and eating better.  I did have a job that kept me very physically active although I ended up leaving it in order to improve my psychological health.  Therefore I may have taken a step backward but, I would still rate myself at an 8 maybe 8 ½ because, I have started working out at home.  Spiritually I was at a 5 when I started this course and now I would say that I am at about a 7.  I have done a lot of soul searching over the past two months and I am in a much better place spiritually even though I am not quite ready to start going to church again.  Finally, at the beginning of the course I rated myself at a 7 psychologically.  Using the exercises and completing the reading for this course have definitely helped me psychologically but, I still need to do a lot of work.  Therefore, I would probably rate myself at an 8 psychologically.  There is still a long road ahead of me but, so far I happy with the progress that I have made.  I know that there will be times when I get off track but, I also know that I am on the path to human flourishing and I will get there one day!

Goal development

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

Physical- Participate in 60 minutes or more of physical activity most days of the week.  This can include taking walks in the park, yoga, lifting weights, swimming, playing tag with the kids, or any other activity that I feel like doing that day.  I also would like to eat better since I do not want to undo the work I have done by getting more physical activity.  I definitely need to start eating more vegetables and encouraging my kids to do so as well.

Psychologically- Replace reaction with intention.

Spiritual- Go to church regularly.

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.

Physical- Yoga and taking walks in nature.  Both of these practices will be easy to implement because, I can include my children in them.  My kids love doing yoga and my youngest loves going on long walks which I can do on a trail at a local park. 

Psychological-Relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation which I can do at night before bed work on improving my personal relationships.  The second one will be hard and I am not sure that I can do it alone therefore; I may seek the help of a counselor. 

Spiritual- loving kindness practice and practicing intimacy and spiritual union.  Loving kindness can be practiced anytime I have some time to myself.  Practicing intimacy and spiritual union will take some time to do as I am single at the moment and plan on staying that way until I first am able to love and care for myself.  However, one day I will meet someone with whom I will want to share this experience.  I look forward to that day!

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? 

      Over the next 6 months I will keep a journal in which I write about my chosen practices for health and wellness.  In 6 months I will again assess where I am physical, psychologically, and spiritually and then I will have one of my closest friends tell me where she thinks I am because unlike myself she will not lie to me.  Then I will establish new goals or continue with the old ones until I can say that I have mastered the still mind and open heart that comes with developing a unity consciousness.

References

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

            Basic Health Publications Inc.