Reflecting back on my unit 3 assessment and seeing where I started at the beginning of this term and where I am now made me feel good. I rated my physical well-being a 9 back then and I have to say it is about the same but I will give it a 9+ because now when I am working out physically I add the mental aspect with it and it gives me more of a sense of wellness.
I rated my spiritual wellness a 8 and I will say that it is a 9 now, I still have a ways to go to get where I want to be here but it is getting easier and with the continuous practice of meditation and adding in daily prayer session I see this area getting stronger.
My psychological well-being was a 8, I rate this a 9 now adding the mental fitness exercises into my daily schedule as really help me in this area. The creative visual exercises and the subtle mind exercises are great for this area.
My scores have changed for the better because of the implementation of the exercises and lesson that were taught in this class. I have been on a path toward integral health for many years but this course has helped me deepen my understanding to where I can take it to the next level.
I have made progress in my goals in each area, I have added yoga and Pilates in my physical exercise and they have been great for flexibility. In the area of spiritual training I have added daily meditation and prayer in my schedule. In the psychological area I have added exercises that incorporate mental fitness.
My experience throughout this course has been positive. It has opened my eyes to a whole new way of looking at wellness and prevention. I have found the course to be rewarding because it has helped me to see how all of the parts are interconnected. You cannot just concentrate on one area of integral health it has to be a whole concept.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Unit 9 Final Project
Running head: PLAN FOR INTEGRAL HEALTH
Creating Wellness: Psychological & Spiritual Aspects of Healing
Afrin Merchant
Kaplan University
HW420- Unit 9- Final Project Paper
Abstract
Integral health has become an important subject in the health care industry. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is defined as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease of infirmity” (WHO, 2009). This simply states that your health is not limited to your present physical condition only. A healthy person must be healthy integrally which involves the health of the body, mind and the spirit. In this paper we will create a detailed assessment of my own health and wellness regarding holistic-integral health viewpoints presented in the class so far. The plan is created to foster growth and health spiritually, physically, and psychologically in my personal life.
Plan for Integral Health
This paper spends a considerable amount of time creating a detailed assessment of my own health and wellness from all of the different viewpoints presented in our class so far.
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 important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically because in order for us to lead our patients down the pathway to reach optimum health and wellness, we must use pathways and roads we have also well-travelled. In order for us to have empathy and understanding, we must also know and understand the current struggles of our patients so we can offer to them the best advice, care, service and support and have them feel that we are with them on their sometimes long, forbidding journey to health and wellness.
Personally I need to work on all of these aspects in order to achieve the goals I have for myself. Psychologically I need to work on calming my mind and learning to relax. By doing the exercises assigned in this class, I have learned to have a loving and kindness attitude and was really able to step back and do some self-exploration. Spiritually I need to do a better job of connecting with my surroundings with my inner self. I believe in God and I want to spend more at my inner self connecting with God by spending time praying and by being grateful which will help me to act with compassion and an open heart with the ultimate goal of unity consciousness. The psychological and spiritual goals will benefit my physical health and development because body, mind and spirit are all connected.
How have you assessed your health in each domain? How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically?
When I assessed my health in each domain I know that I have some work to do and am not where I should be. I am stronger in some aspects than I am in others but I should be able to balance them all out equally because one affects the other which is what I have observed from my own experience.
For my spiritual wellbeing I would rank myself 9 out of 10. I rank myself this high because I am a strong believer in God. I do not just call on God when things are going wrong but I talk to him when things are just right. I find this a problem with a lot of people today; they only call on God when they need something but never take the time to thank him for the good times in their lives. I always know through prayer that God will see me through whatever trials and tribulations I am going through.
Physically I currently feel as though I am an 8. I exercise regularly and eat right even though there is always room for improvement.
My psychological well-being is always changing. I really struggle with emotional instability and it affects every aspect of my well-being. I would rate my psychological well-being as a 6. I am pretty stable, handling stress well, joyful and thinking clearly. I am not a ten because in my opinion, I still have some imbalances that I need to work on
List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical, Psychological (mental health) and Spiritual.
Currently my main goals for my physical, psychological and spiritual health are to stay on task on a daily basis with my workout program, meditation, and praying. For the most part I’ve been able to stay on task with praying and meditation.
My physical goal is to participate in 45 minutes or more of physical activity most days of the week. This can include taking walks in the park, yoga, playing tag with the kids, or any other activity that I feel like doing that day.
My psychological goal is to work on calming my mind and learning to relax. I will continue to practice the subtle mind exercise and loving-kindness exercise from the Dacher’s book. The subtle mind exercises really taught me to regulate my breathing and use it to relax my mind. I have been working on taking deep breaths when I feel overwhelmed, stressed and anxious. It really helps my body and mind calm down. I feel this is a good start for me so that I don’t get overwhelmed and give up.
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.
Physically besides having a better nutrition plan and a fitness program, I believe it is essential to reduce stress and avoid negativity and pessimism. I will incorporate daily meditation practices and visualization. These two exercises seem to reduce stress and it also relaxes my mind and body.
Psychologically I will continue to educate myself, keep up my mental fitness through, puzzles and minds games. I will continue to develop using the “Subtle mind Practices”, to develop the witnessing mind and visualization. My goal is to reach a higher consciousness.
Spiritually I will continue to pray and serve others. I will continue the loving kindness and subtle mind practices; I am very interesting in developing the calm-abiding mind. I believe this will help me get to a level of consciousness that I am not currently experiencing.
I am currently using all these exercises and practices but my goal is to get them into a routine time for the day. To be consistent with each exercise and practice until they become a part of my day.
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 will assess my progress through keeping a daily journal for the next six months or beyond. Another strategy that I will use to assist in maintaining my long-term practices for health and wellness is doing a mind share with someone in the class or my husband and making them keep me on track with every one of my plans. By doing this, I feel that it will hold me accountable for my actions.
Conclusion
Overall evaluating my goals will be an ongoing journey and process. Set-backs are inevitable along the way but with support and dedication to a life of holistic health, I am certain I can accomplish holistic health and wellness. According to (Elliot S. Dacher. 2006), even though “the apex of human flourishing may require an Olympian intensity of effort and practice, we can be well on the road to health, happiness, and wholeness with a far more moderate yet sustained effort”. This simply means that if we practice on a daily basis then eventually we may get to experience what is known as human flourishing. Human flourishing occurs when one gets to finally live a life that is consumed with positive health, happiness and wholeness.
Reference:
Dacher M.D., E.S. (2006). Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA:
Basic Health Publications, Inc.
Schlitz, M., & Amorok, T., & Micozzi, M.S. (2005). Consciousness & Healing: Integral
Approaches to Mind-Body Medicine. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
World Health Organization(WHO). 2009. Section: Mental health: A state of well-being.
Retrieved on May 21, 2011 from: http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/mental_health/en/
Creating Wellness: Psychological & Spiritual Aspects of Healing
Afrin Merchant
Kaplan University
HW420- Unit 9- Final Project Paper
Abstract
Integral health has become an important subject in the health care industry. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is defined as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease of infirmity” (WHO, 2009). This simply states that your health is not limited to your present physical condition only. A healthy person must be healthy integrally which involves the health of the body, mind and the spirit. In this paper we will create a detailed assessment of my own health and wellness regarding holistic-integral health viewpoints presented in the class so far. The plan is created to foster growth and health spiritually, physically, and psychologically in my personal life.
Plan for Integral Health
This paper spends a considerable amount of time creating a detailed assessment of my own health and wellness from all of the different viewpoints presented in our class so far.
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 important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically because in order for us to lead our patients down the pathway to reach optimum health and wellness, we must use pathways and roads we have also well-travelled. In order for us to have empathy and understanding, we must also know and understand the current struggles of our patients so we can offer to them the best advice, care, service and support and have them feel that we are with them on their sometimes long, forbidding journey to health and wellness.
Personally I need to work on all of these aspects in order to achieve the goals I have for myself. Psychologically I need to work on calming my mind and learning to relax. By doing the exercises assigned in this class, I have learned to have a loving and kindness attitude and was really able to step back and do some self-exploration. Spiritually I need to do a better job of connecting with my surroundings with my inner self. I believe in God and I want to spend more at my inner self connecting with God by spending time praying and by being grateful which will help me to act with compassion and an open heart with the ultimate goal of unity consciousness. The psychological and spiritual goals will benefit my physical health and development because body, mind and spirit are all connected.
How have you assessed your health in each domain? How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically?
When I assessed my health in each domain I know that I have some work to do and am not where I should be. I am stronger in some aspects than I am in others but I should be able to balance them all out equally because one affects the other which is what I have observed from my own experience.
For my spiritual wellbeing I would rank myself 9 out of 10. I rank myself this high because I am a strong believer in God. I do not just call on God when things are going wrong but I talk to him when things are just right. I find this a problem with a lot of people today; they only call on God when they need something but never take the time to thank him for the good times in their lives. I always know through prayer that God will see me through whatever trials and tribulations I am going through.
Physically I currently feel as though I am an 8. I exercise regularly and eat right even though there is always room for improvement.
My psychological well-being is always changing. I really struggle with emotional instability and it affects every aspect of my well-being. I would rate my psychological well-being as a 6. I am pretty stable, handling stress well, joyful and thinking clearly. I am not a ten because in my opinion, I still have some imbalances that I need to work on
List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical, Psychological (mental health) and Spiritual.
Currently my main goals for my physical, psychological and spiritual health are to stay on task on a daily basis with my workout program, meditation, and praying. For the most part I’ve been able to stay on task with praying and meditation.
My physical goal is to participate in 45 minutes or more of physical activity most days of the week. This can include taking walks in the park, yoga, playing tag with the kids, or any other activity that I feel like doing that day.
My psychological goal is to work on calming my mind and learning to relax. I will continue to practice the subtle mind exercise and loving-kindness exercise from the Dacher’s book. The subtle mind exercises really taught me to regulate my breathing and use it to relax my mind. I have been working on taking deep breaths when I feel overwhelmed, stressed and anxious. It really helps my body and mind calm down. I feel this is a good start for me so that I don’t get overwhelmed and give up.
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.
Physically besides having a better nutrition plan and a fitness program, I believe it is essential to reduce stress and avoid negativity and pessimism. I will incorporate daily meditation practices and visualization. These two exercises seem to reduce stress and it also relaxes my mind and body.
Psychologically I will continue to educate myself, keep up my mental fitness through, puzzles and minds games. I will continue to develop using the “Subtle mind Practices”, to develop the witnessing mind and visualization. My goal is to reach a higher consciousness.
Spiritually I will continue to pray and serve others. I will continue the loving kindness and subtle mind practices; I am very interesting in developing the calm-abiding mind. I believe this will help me get to a level of consciousness that I am not currently experiencing.
I am currently using all these exercises and practices but my goal is to get them into a routine time for the day. To be consistent with each exercise and practice until they become a part of my day.
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 will assess my progress through keeping a daily journal for the next six months or beyond. Another strategy that I will use to assist in maintaining my long-term practices for health and wellness is doing a mind share with someone in the class or my husband and making them keep me on track with every one of my plans. By doing this, I feel that it will hold me accountable for my actions.
Conclusion
Overall evaluating my goals will be an ongoing journey and process. Set-backs are inevitable along the way but with support and dedication to a life of holistic health, I am certain I can accomplish holistic health and wellness. According to (Elliot S. Dacher. 2006), even though “the apex of human flourishing may require an Olympian intensity of effort and practice, we can be well on the road to health, happiness, and wholeness with a far more moderate yet sustained effort”. This simply means that if we practice on a daily basis then eventually we may get to experience what is known as human flourishing. Human flourishing occurs when one gets to finally live a life that is consumed with positive health, happiness and wholeness.
Reference:
Dacher M.D., E.S. (2006). Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA:
Basic Health Publications, Inc.
Schlitz, M., & Amorok, T., & Micozzi, M.S. (2005). Consciousness & Healing: Integral
Approaches to Mind-Body Medicine. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
World Health Organization(WHO). 2009. Section: Mental health: A state of well-being.
Retrieved on May 21, 2011 from: http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/mental_health/en/
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
HW-420 Unit 8
My favorite exercises were the subtle mind practice and the Loving-kindness practice. Both are found in Dacher's book. The subtle mind exercises really taught me to regulate my breathing and use it to relax my mind. I have been working on taking deep breaths when I feel overwhelmed, stressed and anxious. It really helps my body and mind calm down
Loving-kindness practice makes me work, it is really reaching into the depths and letting go and letting love in.
I will use both practices in my personal life to foster "mental fitness". The subtle mind exercise utilizes breathing to calm the body and the calm body to relax the mind. In this way it is training the brain through mental fitness to regulate emotions and the bodies’ response to them.
The Loving-kindness practice would be done at the same place where I would be spend time each day thinking about the ones that I love, the ones who were not so nice to me that day, and include the one who have not be so great to me in previous times and let the love flow...
Loving-kindness practice makes me work, it is really reaching into the depths and letting go and letting love in.
I will use both practices in my personal life to foster "mental fitness". The subtle mind exercise utilizes breathing to calm the body and the calm body to relax the mind. In this way it is training the brain through mental fitness to regulate emotions and the bodies’ response to them.
The Loving-kindness practice would be done at the same place where I would be spend time each day thinking about the ones that I love, the ones who were not so nice to me that day, and include the one who have not be so great to me in previous times and let the love flow...
Thursday, May 5, 2011
HW-420 Unit 7 "Meeting Asciepius" Exercise
I was unable to fully concentrate on this exercise this week due to other things going on in my life. However, I did try it and was unsuccessful at accomplishing what I was hoping to achieve with this exercises. My mind was uncontrollable and it kept wandering into other directions. I believe this was so because of everything I have been dealing with this week and I never really gave myself, and my mind, time to calm down this week. Nonetheless, I was able to relax and feel calmer after the exercise. I will re-try this exercise again in hopes to fulfill what I really wanted to accomplish in this exercise, which is reaching a new level in my psychological and spiritual wellness.
I must say this phrase is very important in health and wellness professionals. “One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself”. It means that if we want someone to follow our lead, we must lead by example. As a health and wellness professional, I must uphold to the standards that I would like for my clients to be at. I think it is very important for the health professional to be developing themself also. It is difficult for a professional to be a great physician if they haven't grown in all areas of their life. Truly, life is a constant growing experience and we never know everything but, it is important to be working on your selves each day. When we do this it enables us to really give our fullest as a health professional and take care of ourselves so, that we can take care of others as well.
For me, at this point of my life, psychological and spiritual growth comes when I have a plan, setting goals to accomplish my plan. Ways for me to help myself psychologically and spiritually is, first of all, do not stretch myself too much, and see to the completion of projects that are already on my plate. Planning allows flexibility.
Thanks again for all your great comments!!
I must say this phrase is very important in health and wellness professionals. “One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself”. It means that if we want someone to follow our lead, we must lead by example. As a health and wellness professional, I must uphold to the standards that I would like for my clients to be at. I think it is very important for the health professional to be developing themself also. It is difficult for a professional to be a great physician if they haven't grown in all areas of their life. Truly, life is a constant growing experience and we never know everything but, it is important to be working on your selves each day. When we do this it enables us to really give our fullest as a health professional and take care of ourselves so, that we can take care of others as well.
For me, at this point of my life, psychological and spiritual growth comes when I have a plan, setting goals to accomplish my plan. Ways for me to help myself psychologically and spiritually is, first of all, do not stretch myself too much, and see to the completion of projects that are already on my plate. Planning allows flexibility.
Thanks again for all your great comments!!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
HW-420 Unit 6
The universal Loving Kindness exercise and Integral Assessment
I enjoyed the universal loving kindness exercise. It’s something that I say while praying. It was a great way to stay focused and get negative thoughts out of my head.
Integral Assessment-I enjoyed this assessment as well because it has you reflect on your life and things you want to change. I do this often but I don't sit down and actually think "What aspect of my life is the cause of suffering!" I am not suffering in any way. I just have random thoughts about little changes I want to make in my life and my families lives to make it better.
I didn’t really discover anything. I am a very happy, healthy individual and feel like I have pretty much everything in my life that I need. I want to continue doing meditations and focusing and increasing my awareness of myself. I know that it will make a difference in every aspect of my life and, as I continue to work on it, others will be able to tell. Maybe I'll even be able to inspire someone else to work on their personal awareness and inner health!
Afrin
I enjoyed the universal loving kindness exercise. It’s something that I say while praying. It was a great way to stay focused and get negative thoughts out of my head.
Integral Assessment-I enjoyed this assessment as well because it has you reflect on your life and things you want to change. I do this often but I don't sit down and actually think "What aspect of my life is the cause of suffering!" I am not suffering in any way. I just have random thoughts about little changes I want to make in my life and my families lives to make it better.
I didn’t really discover anything. I am a very happy, healthy individual and feel like I have pretty much everything in my life that I need. I want to continue doing meditations and focusing and increasing my awareness of myself. I know that it will make a difference in every aspect of my life and, as I continue to work on it, others will be able to tell. Maybe I'll even be able to inspire someone else to work on their personal awareness and inner health!
Afrin
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
HW-420 Unit 5 Question #1 and #2
Compare and contrast the Loving Kindness exercise and the Subtle mind exercise.
When I did the Loving-Kindness exercise first time I had a very hard time visualizing or using my imagination to get the full benefit of the practice but when I participated in this exercise the second time the thoughts of others who are suffering permitted me to address the spirituality involved in accepting others sorrows and pains. I enjoyed the subtle mind exercise much more than the loving kindness exercise. It really gave me a sense of calmness by using my breathing as a distraction from all the thoughts that I had in my mind. It was easier to calm my mind by not thinking. I liked the visualization of using our breathing it really helped me focus more on each breath. Great exercise that I will definitely practice it.
The connection of the spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness
It is really amazing how the whole body is intertwined and connected. It works as a system and when one part of it is not functioning well, the other parts struggle as well. Our body, emotion, mind, energy body and soul together form the whole person. It is only by dealing with each part of the whole within the whole, that we can have vital and energetic health. Physical wellness combines emotional, spiritual and mental wellness. Spiritual wellness can establish serenity and harmony in our lives. I like to consider myself a very spiritual person, whether it's through prayer or deep meditation in a quiet room before bedtime, I can honestly feel the difference both mentally and physically. Being mentally well is intertwined with being physically and spiritually well. Mental wellness is being emotionally well and able to express positive and negative feelings appropriately. Since a calm mental state reduces stress, this will thus also enhance physical health as well. This proves that each aspect of a mental, physical, and spiritual state of being are important when it comes to a complete sense of health.
When I did the Loving-Kindness exercise first time I had a very hard time visualizing or using my imagination to get the full benefit of the practice but when I participated in this exercise the second time the thoughts of others who are suffering permitted me to address the spirituality involved in accepting others sorrows and pains. I enjoyed the subtle mind exercise much more than the loving kindness exercise. It really gave me a sense of calmness by using my breathing as a distraction from all the thoughts that I had in my mind. It was easier to calm my mind by not thinking. I liked the visualization of using our breathing it really helped me focus more on each breath. Great exercise that I will definitely practice it.
The connection of the spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness
It is really amazing how the whole body is intertwined and connected. It works as a system and when one part of it is not functioning well, the other parts struggle as well. Our body, emotion, mind, energy body and soul together form the whole person. It is only by dealing with each part of the whole within the whole, that we can have vital and energetic health. Physical wellness combines emotional, spiritual and mental wellness. Spiritual wellness can establish serenity and harmony in our lives. I like to consider myself a very spiritual person, whether it's through prayer or deep meditation in a quiet room before bedtime, I can honestly feel the difference both mentally and physically. Being mentally well is intertwined with being physically and spiritually well. Mental wellness is being emotionally well and able to express positive and negative feelings appropriately. Since a calm mental state reduces stress, this will thus also enhance physical health as well. This proves that each aspect of a mental, physical, and spiritual state of being are important when it comes to a complete sense of health.
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