Unit 10: Professional Application of the Psychological and Spiritual Aspects of Healing

My initial scores were as follows: 7 for my physical well-being, 5 for my spiritual well-being and 7 as my psychological well-being. I now consider my physical level to be at 8, my spiritual well-being to be at 6 and my psychological well-being to be at 7. I think the scores have improved some and that even if they stayed the same in some areas, it’s just because I feel that it is a process and that some techniques I used to use were swapped for some of the new techniques I learned during the course of this class. I don’t feel that I am stagnate in any area, but feel that I have a better overall understanding of how each individual area works and affects my life. 

It has definitely made me put my health and wellness on the forefront of my life, even more than it was before. I feel better-rounded.

As far as my physical goal to incorporate more cardio into my fitness regimen, I have done so. I like to keep things new and different and have incorporated outdoor cardio into my training instead of just in the gym. I now run up several flights of stairs in a parking garage and work out on a obstacle course in a local park.

I now incorporate more meditation into my life by setting aside personal time and space, usually in a hot bath, that helps me relax and focus.

My goal to identify the issues that affect my life and move past them is one that will take a little more time, but I am open to it and that is the first step.

That said, I have implemented several of the exercises I set as goals and am proud of that. I think they will all continue to enrich my life.

I really enjoyed this course. It took me on an unexpected journey and I feel that I benefited from it greatly. I think I have developed improved well-being and that I will continue to do so. The tools and skills that I learned and obtained during the course of this class have really enabled me to have a better understanding of not only what was going on in my life, but how I could change it for the better for my future. That in itself was most rewarding.

It was difficult for me to really put all the thoughts going through my mind to rest so I could focus on my spirituality and meditation. It took a few failed attempts before really being able to commit.

I think that overall, I will be more centered as an individual and more content and at peace in my life which is the best starting point for trying to help others. I can share my own experiences and before and after with clients and assist them in forming their own wellness plan to attain their personal goals. It has given me a lot more to share with others and doing so will be awesome.

Unit 9: Personal Application of the Psychological and Spiritual Aspects of Healing

It is important for us to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically because each aspect if involved in what we teach our clients. We have to be developed in those areas in order to help others achieve health and wellness in those areas as well. 

Only by working on those aspects of our own lives can we then provide ideas and routines that would help others succeed.

I could use some work on my spiritual side. It is my weakest link. I feel I will be working on this a lot in the future in order to be successful and efficient in all areas.

I have worked on my physical health for years now and knowing where I started, I know I have grown leaps and bounds in that area. What I was completely unable to do before, I can now do with ease. I continue to push myself with small goals, and when they are achieved, I know I am getting physically healthier.

As far as psychologically, I have worked on my stress levels, and the way I think about things. Counseling has helped me to feel more relaxed and more able to deal with life on life’s terms. Looking at myself with an objective view, I know I have grown psychologically, and matured and make better decisions than those I used to make.

Spiritually, I have worked on meditating, and finding inner peace. I feel more relaxed in general, and I feel that I am able to connect more with myself, although that area of my life still takes a back seat to the rest of my life.

I would like to be able to increase my cardio-vascular endurance over the next three months. I would also like to be able to start individual counseling to work on my baggage. Spiritually, I am going to continue with my yoga, but will be joining a martial arts group to further my meditative practices.

I am going to add stair sprinting to increase my cardio-vascular output and will also be adding an outdoor obstacle course to my weekly training. Spiritually, I will be adding an additional yoga course and aikido in order to increase my spiritual connection. I will use my spouse as a venting option instead of holding things in and that will allow me to clear space to let positive things in and will also participate in counseling.

My monthly calendar serves as a log of my various activities and allows me to keep track, not only of when I perform those activities but also allows me to keep track of activities I may have missed. 

A calendar or activity diary is perfect for keeping me on track and for noting my progress. Being able to refer back to certain activities or times when they worked better than others will help me long term.

Unit 8: Optimal Well-being: Psychological, Spiritual and Physical Keys to Health and Thriving

Review the exercises and practice sessions you have completed in this course. (Loving Kindness, Subtle mind, Visualization, meditation etc.) Choose two practices that you have determined to be most beneficial. How can you implement these practices in your personal life to foster “mental fitness”? Provide specific examples.

I have chosen the Loving Kindness and the Meditation Practice combined with power yoga. 

The Loving Kindness I use when I am alone and usually after my daily nap.  I use this exercise when it is quiet and there are no distractions. I learned to use the Meditation in power yoga because the harder the course becomes, the more I am able to focus and keep my mind from wandering. Don’t get me wrong, I like the restorative yoga but my mind is too active for those courses and the more difficult the course, the more clarity and peace I find within.

Unit 7: Current Trends and Research Supporting the Mind-Body-Spirit Paradigm

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?

I didn’t find the exercise helpful for my meditation exercises. When they say to focus on someone with wisdom, etc, I focused on my late father. But the part that said “be him…” I couldn’t get into being my father because even though I felt he was wise, it was only in certain ways so it wasn’t possible for me to be him. My mind kept wandering, feeling silly and I don’t really associate infinite wisdom with anyone I know. Mediation has increased them by making me aware of others, causing me to think first before speaking or before talking to others. It has helped me to be more mindful of the feelings of others. It has taught me to be happy with what I have versus those who have so much more and are unhappy. I practice yoga weekly and will soon be taking martial arts to continue to grow in these areas. 

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?

It means that in order to lead by example, we must have journeyed down that path ourselves first. It translates into the world of health and wellness as well. We cannot teach people to be healthy or get healthy if we are unhealthy ourselves. We do have an obligation to practice what we preach, otherwise, how would we ever inspire someone to follow our lead or suggestions or methods. Meditation is a great tool and continuing to practice and try new things and exercise daily continues my growth in those areas.