I 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?
A person who is not well themselves, cannot teach someone else how to be well. Just as if a math teacher doesn't know how to practice addition, they cannot teach that skill to a student. Part of effective teaching is experience. For someone to have 'been there and done that' helps the teacher and student communicate with a better understanding of each other. It almost seems hypocritical for someone to teach and preach about well-being...eating right, exercising, meditating, communicating...when they don't even practice those exercises for themselves. It also seems that the ideas a professional discusses might not be effective if the professional has depression issues or no stress management, etc.
I need to develop my spiritual and psychological areas of well-being. My 'score' in those areas are not very low but there is always room for improvement. I have always felt strong psychologically but I do have some anxiety issues and since the birth of my child and just realizing that I am adult with many responsibilities, I have has some issues with stress management. I'm not very spiritual because I feel a little 'cheesy' when I think about it too much...like its more fantasy than anything but I also have a side of me that is more in tune with spiritual oneness.
II Assessment:
How have you assessed your health in each domain? How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically?
I have assessed my health in each domain in previous exercises in class and on a scale from 1 – 10, I rate my spiritual health a 5, my physical health an 8, and my psychological health a 6. My spiritual health is where there could be some improvement but I'm not completely convinced that I actually need it. I just not sure that being spiritual is part of well-being even though there is research proving that people benefit from it. I feel connected with love and nature and some religion but I'm still learning what it is to be a 'spiritual' person.
My physical health is great but it's not quite where I want it. As I have stated, I would like to have better endurance and more muscle mass. I need to workout more frequently and harder which I'm on the path to doing so now that I have switched jobs and given myself more time. I eat well but I'd like some cooking ideas because I'm getting bored with foods. I sometimes run out of time and dont eat. I dont like not eating but it seems that it takes a backseat so many times. I know how absolutely horrible it is to miss a meal but time just gets away from me.
My psychological health is decent but there is much room for improvement. There are thing I wish to change and I hope to work toward those things. I've learned a lot about myself since becoming a new mom and being married and I hope that with job switch, I will better organize my life and have more time for fun times...not just cleaning house and running errands and keeping busy.
III Goal development & IV Practices for personal health:
List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical, Psychological (mental health) and Spiritual. 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.
A goal I have for my physical well-being is to exercise on a better routine. With the birth of my son, my schedule became much more hectic. I work full-time, go to school almost full-time, and need time to care for my son, family, and house. There isn't much time for myself and working out. I have switched jobs and work in a gym and less hours so now I have more time for myself and my workouts. So far, I have been working out much more and feeling much happier. I have goals to get in tip-top shape and I'm not far from it. I just need to lifts heavier weights and eat more protein and calories to gain the mass I want.
A goal for my psychological health is something I have actually accomplished recently. I was working for a government contractor which in my area is the type of job most people want because it is the best paying. Unfortunately, I hate the work. The duties and such are just of no interest to me and I was miserable in that position. I was waiting to graduate from Kaplan with my Health & Wellness degree before I took a different job but I had an opportunity at my gym come available. I have only been working at my gym for 3 days and I already love it and feel much happier and clear minded. I'm doing something I want to do verses just going to a job to get a paycheck. Even with less pay, my mental clarity and mental happiness is worth so much more than any amount of money. I want to be a happy mom and wife so I can be the best mom and wife. The reorganization of my life is now beginning and it feels wonderful. Meditation will probably come much easier now so I will continue to try the exercises such as Meeting Asclepius and the Subtle Mind.
A goal for spiritual well-being is to possibly study a few different religions or even dive into more time with nature. With my old work schedule, I was hardly able to get outside and I love being outdoors. With Fall approaching and my new job that gives me more time off and flexible hours, I will be able to be outside with my son more often and connect with nature. After I graduate and get even more settled in my new job, I may start researching religions or even take cooking classes. Some people find a deep connection with cooking and since I don't cook often, I'd love to learn and see if I can be one of those people with a deep cooking connection.
V 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?
A great way to assess my progress over the next six months is to keep a journal or blog. As in class, we kept blogs to discuss our experiences with meditations and how we were progressing with them. A journal is a great way to reflect and look back at the progress made especially if I feel I haven't made any. Writing out what I have accomplished and giving it a 'score' will help it feel more real and allow me to see how far I have come and how far I need to go. For motivation to continue these goals longs term I need a few things; one being the support form my family. Sometimes I need a verbal reminder of what I'm doing. If I slip and my family lets me slip...then I'm not doing myself any good. I need my family to be able to see me slip and then remind me of what my goals are. I need to manage my time better and make sure I allow myself to have time to myself each day for exercise, meditation, relaxing, thinking and analyzing, whatever I feel I need.
