Unit 9

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 true way to happiness is the way to enlightenment. When we attain enlightenment, we awaken to the truth of our being, to the ideal way to live, and to knowing that we journey between this world and the other. As health and wellness professionals we must portray a healthy image to our patients, those we wish to follow a healthy lifestyle. We must practice what we preach, how else can we expect others to follow?! A person who is mentally healthy is not self-preoccupied, but is interested in the people and things around him or her. To understand healing we must consider the concept of the mind. The mind is non-physical. It is formless, shapeless, colorless, genderless, and it has the ability to cognize or know. The basic nature of the mind is pure, limitless, and pervasive, like the sun shining freely in a clear sky. In order to heal the mind and hence the body, we have to eliminate negative thoughts and their imprints, and replace them with positive thoughts and imprints. A healthy mind is a healthy body. We must be living proof to the lives of those we wish to change.

 I believe the path to enlightenment is endless; there is always room for growth, knowledge and wisdom. I am grateful to have found my path, to enter this journey to enlightenment with ease. I shall continue to grow healthier psychologically, spiritually, and psychically; healthy nutrition, spiritual exercise (yoga, meditation, qigong, tai chi), psychical exercise, are all methods I will continue to practice to maintain and improve my health so I may create a change in the lives I touch.

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

I have assessed my health within each domain, and although I am healthy in all aspects there is always room for improvement. If I was to grade myself at this current time in each domain I would give myself a fair 7 all around. . Our mind is like a cloudy sky, in essence clear and pure but overcast by the clouds of delusions. Just as the thickest clouds eventually disperse, so too even the heaviest delusions can be removed from our mind. Spiritually, I have found my path and I am working towards overcoming the negative thoughts in my mind, so my mind may be filled with positive, loving thoughts. Physically, I am grateful to say that I am very healthy, although I would be happier to find the time to exercise more so I may strengthen and tone my body more. Psychologically, I have a healthy, strong mind which at times gets the best of me, I am often my own worst critic, and I have always been very hard on myself. As a perfectionist, I find no room for personal flaws and am learning to love myself flaws and all.

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

I have quite a number of goals set for myself within all of these areas. But, my primary goals would be to prioritize my time so I may find more time to focus on my needs; psychically my goal is to make the time to exercise more, I went from exercising 6 days a week to being lucky to find myself exercising a couple of days a week, this does not make me feel good physically or mentally. Physical exercise has so many wonderful benefits not only physically but mentally as well, and I truly miss reaping all the rewards. I am hoping to find ways to manage my time so I may indulge on my physical workouts once again. Psychologically, my primary goal would be to appreciate myself and all I do. As a perfectionist, I am my own worst critic, and more often than not, I tend to be too hard on myself. This has its benefits, this personal trait of mine allows me to strive in all I wish to achieve, but I find no room for failure, which at times produces fears, procrastinations, and heartache. I am working towards accepting myself flaws and all. Spiritually, I have come to find something I feel an intense connection with, a powerful force that guides me on my spiritual path. It is as if my spiritual path has found me, I feel chosen by the journey I now walk upon, with my angels guiding me every step of the way, I continue to learn each and every day, I continue to grow in each aspect of my life.

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 I find best suits my personal growth in each of the following domains is…

Physically, I love yoga! Yoga gives me physical, mental and spiritual strength. When I practice yoga, it physically strengthens my body, toning my muscles, sweating out the toxins, improving my balance, core strength, improves my coordination, posture, increases my endurance, and increases my strength and vitality. I also love to Isometric exercises which is a highly effective way to strengthen and shape muscle, and requires no equipment and can be performed anywhere. It relies simply on the maximum contraction of a muscle. I practice these exercises as often as possible, the isometrics I can practice anywhere and since they require no equipment whatsoever, it is easy to practice often.

Psychologically, and spiritually, I am learning through meditation and breathing techniques to focus on the present moment, the awareness of being in the present moment helps me to recognize that there is no need for me to be so hard on myself. When I meditate my mind becomes clearer and more focused which helps me to achieve a better understanding of my thoughts and how to deal with them as they come, so I can develop healthier thoughts and breathing techniques keep me grounded this helps me to focus.

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?

Well, I expect to assist my progress in the next six months, and not the lack of. I am actually planning to re-read the books provided in this course, as well as many other books I have become very interested in which are closely related, these books will give me a deeper insight and motivation to continue my long term practices for improving my health and wellness. Through my yoga, meditation, exercise, and breathing techniques I plan to improve in each aspect along the way to reaching optimal health and wellness.