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?
I was raised on the theory “practice what you preach”. I think it is crucial for professionals in any career to incorporate what they do into their own lives. I wouldn’t try to sell someone a let’s say for example a healthy eating product without trying it first and seeing what the results are. “To become agents of a more expansive health, we must begin with our own life.” (Dacher, 2006, pg. 167). When it comes to integral health, you can only learn a certain amount from the textbook. It is important to also experience the effects of a developed psychological, spiritual, and physical wholeness to fully grasp the possibilities of human flourishing. When we gain this confidence it gives us the ability to “help others and create a better world.” (Dacher, 2006, pg 167). Although I need help in all aspects I really feel like developing spiritually is where I need the most work. I am a very physically strong person than I am psychologically and spiritually. I would LOVE to find a balance between these three areas to obtain integral health.
II. Assessment: How have you assessed your health in each domain? How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically?
I used Dacher’s six principles of integral assessment. These principles are to alleviate suffering and promote human flourishing, determining the difference between short and permanent suffering, immediate pleasure and long-term flourishing, the essential development of the psychospiritual, deep listening and guidance, and relevant development to current situation (Dacher, 2006, pg 106). My physical is strong. However, there is always room for improvement. I can sometimes be inconsistent. The only thing I see that is weak or lacking is the way I eat sometimes. I tend to not eat enough and it takes a toll on me occasionally . When I eat well, I take care of myself workout consistently, and have a general well-being. When I eat poorly, which is not too often, I still workout but I don’t work out as hard because I just don’t have the energy. I would score my psychological and spiritual areas of wellness very low. I have a very restless mind and tend to have no focus what so ever. My mind is constantly racing and I have been unsuccessful in being able to clear my thoughts. I never have been a spiritual person or even considered prayer as a way to reach integral health.
III. Goal development: List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical, Psychological (mental health) and Spiritual.
My goal for my physical wellness is to start competing in half marathons by the time I reach 40 years of age. This gives me two years to start training hard. My goal for my psychological/spiritual l wellness is to start meditating more (outside of my Yoga practice) and also pray more.
IV. 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 – Diet and Exercise – for the most part I am a pretty healthy eating individual who exercises quite regularly. I take a combination of vitamins. I can count on one hand the number of times I am sick but when I am it really takes its toll on me. My biggest vice is I do not eat enough and this is just a bad as eating too much. I need to seriously consider meal preparation for the week. This could be achieved by making a food schedule at the beginning of the week planning for times when I am in a hurry and want to grab fast food. This would make me more able to handle the before and after. Since one of my future goals is to compete in a half marathon, I need to begin a training schedule that focuses more on improving my endurance and strength without over-training. This makes eating right much more important in regards to performance. Psychological – Subtle Mind and Transforming Work Exercises. I have a one track mind that is easily distracted. By using the three steps of the Subtle Mind exercise, Witnessing Mind, Calm Abiding Mind, and Unity Consciousness, I can learn to not grasp at thoughts, but let them pass. Accomplishing that will be a huge task for me. One of my biggest stressors in my life is my career. I need to finalize a career path and stick with it “...transforming it into an act of service, artistry, and sacredness.” “What was previously seen as imposed is now reshaped as chosen.” (Dacher, 2006, pg. 102). This will be very difficult, but will come with practice and patience. Spiritual – Prayer and Volunteer Work. I do consider myself to be a Christian although I could certainly benefit from getting more in touch with my spiritual side. Prayer gives me a sense of calm that just isn’t achieved with anything else that surrounds me Right now I spend the first ten minutes upon wakening praying for forgiveness and safety of my family. I love volunteer work but due to my schedule it is so difficult. I need to make a commitment to do something once a week.
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?
Physically, I will assess my overall eating habits by making sure I am eating correctly.I will start back with keeping an online food journal to document how I’m eating. My exercise regimen is fine but I will incorporate more running to build up my endurance for my half marathon. Psychologically will try to set more time aside in my schedule to meditate so that I do not become so overwhelmed…especially at work. Keeping a positive attitude at work is so hard to do but I will certainly do my very best to maintain. Spiritually, I will continue to practice loving kindness and possibly join a small group at church to connect with other people who are heavily involved with church and share the same purpose as I. I will also assess my progress by the amount of volunteer work and the service I can offer in six to twelve months.
References
Dacher, E. (2006). Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA; Basic Health Publications Inc
