My personal spiritual, physical and psychological growth towards ultimate wellness
Imagine a life beyond the usual sense of health and life. Also, imagine a life of transformation where one is able to achieve purpose, passion, intimacy, and joy within oneself. In addition, imagine a life of health, happiness, and wholeness where one is able to heal their inner aspects of life as well as the outer aspects of life. Furthermore imagine a life where one is able to achieve total healing and well-being of the mind, body, and spirit. Most of all, imagine a life of ultimate wellness where one is able to feel free within the mind, body and spirit. This is the life of an indivdiual accomplishing ultimate health and wellness of the mind, body and spirit.
There are many individuals in the health and wellness professions who work to assist others in successfully reaching their goals towards an improved health and wellness. However, in order to better serve clients to the fullest, one must be a role model and incorporate the same practices in one’s lives. According to Dacher (2006) “To become the agents of a more expansive health, we must begin with our own life” (p. 167). Meaning in order for health and wellness professionals to successfully get their point across or convince a community to properly follow one’s program, one must set an example. Because of this, it is important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spritually, and physically. Also, in order for health and wellness professionals to effectively and successfully administer health and wellness towards others, one must learn and experience it themselves through preparations and practice. This will allow health and wellness professionals the ability to provide knowledge to their clients. In addition by incorporating and practicing the process before initiating it, health and wellness professionals will be able to relate the discoveries and possibilities of one’s experiences as well as how one is to evolve. Moreover, this will give health and wellness professionals the opportunity to not become hypocrites to their own work. Furthermore as health and wellness professionals develop psychologically, spiritually and physically, they are able to know firsthand the possibilities and actions of achieving and reaching integral health. Overall, in today’s ever changing and advancing society, in order for an individual to successfully promote health and wellness, health and wellness professionals must first assess their own wellness and integrate the same strategies in their lives to prove whether the program is effective or not.
One may assume they may not need any improvement in one’s life. However, there is always room for improvement for any area for individuals to achieve the goals set upon themselves. Having said that, reflecting back towards areas I would need to develop to achieve the goals I have for myself, I feel I need more development in all areas psychologically, spiritually and physically. I feel that in order for an individual to have ultimately achieved total development, one must have accomplished and developed in all areas and not just one. According to Dacher (2006), total wellness involves integrating the mind, body and soul together as a whole. Meaning in order for an individual to achieve total wellness within themselves, they must be able to care for their physical, psychological and spiritual aspects of their body and health altogether and not just focus on one area. Therefore, although I may think I am spiritually and physically well since I have religion to feel my soul as well as incorporate healthy eating habits and behaviors, I feel both are being compromised due to my weaker psychological health. I feel my weakest development is towards my psychological well-being. I feel that if I am unable to develop in that area fully, I am unable to fully develop in my physical and spiritual well-being. A discovery by Candace Pert reports “The condition of our body is a reflection of the condition of our mind” (Dacher, 2006, p. 18). This means, if one’s mind is negatively affected so is the rest of the body. Therefore, in order for an individual to achieve total wellness, they must fully develop in all aspects of human experiences in their life in order to receive total healing. And in order to achieve total healing as a whole requires the interconnection of the mind, body and soul. Each affects one another and leads towards a healthier and more fulfilled life.
Assessment
“Wellness relies heavily on the concept that the individual is aware of his/her strengths and needs” (Nysewander, n.d., para. 1). Therefore an assessment of one’s health is determined in the beginning of the course and towards the end of the course. So reflecting back on one’s level of wellness physically, psychologically, and spiritually on a scale of 1 to 10 (ten being optimal wellbeing), below are my assessment. Reflecting back towards my reflections on a scale from 1 to 10 with 10 being of optimal well being, I started my physical well-being rated as a 9. But as I look back, I believe I have rated myself too high and have too much confidence within myself. Now that we are coming to a closure of this course, I believe my physical well-being is a 7. I say this because despite that I am physically active in my life by incorporating physical exercise in my daily routine as well as incorporating healthy eating habits within my diet and my families, I know there is always room for improvement. Also, although I may take good physical care of my health by seeing the doctor regularly and as needed, I still have some physical issues such as my disability which I contracted due to a head injury I encountered in my past experience. I must take regular medications in order to stabilize it from affecting me. Having said that, I have no right to rate myself as high as I should have since I can never become a perfect 10 since there are still areas in my life I need to work on. And with this class in order for someone to a perfect 10 in their physical well being, they need to be a perfect 10 in their spiritual and psychological well-being as well.
As for my spiritual well-being, I rated myself a perfect 10 because I have my Christian faith to spiritually fill my needs but depending on what spiritual well-being means, determines why an individual would rate themselves the way they do. For instance, I consider my spiritual faith a 10 because I have spirituality in my life. However, am I spiritually healed inside? In order for me to be spiritually healed, I need to be healed physically, and psychologically. So, although my spirituality helps alleviate the problems that are out of my control, my spirituality helps bring me together and gives me my sense of belonging and helps me to connect with my community. My spiritual faith helps me strengthen my outlook towards all of the aspects in my life. But I am not spiritually a perfect 10.
As for my psychological well-being, this is my weakest point. I rated myself at least a 5 in which I agree and remain the same. I say this because I still have a difficult time managing my daily stressors from school and I feel mentally drained with all of the school work I have to endure. Also, I have a difficult time relaxing with all the daily stressors and activities I have to endure.
Goal development
First of all, everyone wants to successfully achieve total wellness. Also, everyone wants to be internally and externally happy as well as achieve that sense of wholeness within themselves. In addition, everyone wants to have some sense of balance within themselves and their lives. In general, everyone yearns towards the same goal which is ultimate total wellness of the mind, body, and spirit. Therefore my goals towards physical wellness is to maintain a physically active and healthy lifestyle by continuing with my physical activities as well as incorporating healthy eating habits and behaviors so I can live a long and prosperous life. As for my spiritual wellness, my goal is to follow my religious faith in the direction of my ultimate reality and trust in him completely as well as reach into my inner aspects of life so I am able to seek my innerself and have a positive outlook in life. Finally for my psychological well-being, my goal is to better manage my daily stressors and incorporate daily relaxation techniques so I am able to achieve total healing of the mind, body, and spirit.
Practices for personal health
There are many strategies in which an individual is able to obtain total wellness of the body, mind, and spirit. However, not all strategies apply to everyone. Each individual is considered unique and special. Also, each individual utilizes different strategies to assist them in obtaining wellness of the mind, body and spirit. But finding the right one can be difficult. This is because not all strategies apply to all situations. Therefore according to Sapolsky (2004), one must “pick the right strategey at the right time” (p. 411). In other words, choose the right strategy to approach each situation. Because not all approaches apply to the same situation, so choosing the best method and technique can better handle the situation to help benefit the individual rather than making the situation worse. So in the lines of methods, strategies, and techniques an individual can implement to foster growth physically, psychologically, and spiritually, varies.
Physical Wellness
For my physical well-being, the two types of practices I would incorporate to foster growth in my physical wellness are physical activities as well as implementing proper nutrition such as healthy eating habits and behavior. These two types of physical wellness practices can be implemented into my overall daily life. All I have to do is put my commitment and incorporate the physical aspects at least one hour a day, six days week. But for the nutritional aspects, I can incorporate healthy eating habits and behavior on a regular basis especially with my family.
Physical activity such as aerobics, jogging, running, and lifting weights is one of the best things an individual can do for their body in order to live a long and healthy life. Physical activity has been defined as "bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles resulting in energy expenditure" (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). In other words, physical activity is one of the important ways of measuring the physical health of an individual and informs us of how healthy an individual is. Also, there are many benefits to physical activity. Physical activity helps an individual feel better about oneself emotionally, physically, and psychologically. Plus, physical activity helps relieve stress from everyday life, refreshes an individual’s well-being and helps clear an individual’s mind to stay focused. According to Thygerson and Larson (2006) physical activity involves all aspects of wellness which combines to create an improved sence of well-being. With that said, physical activity is important to everyone and plays a positive impact in avoiding certain diseases, building strong bones, promoting healthy weight, building up an individuals self-esteem and relieveing feelings of stress from everday encounters. In addition, one must incorporate and practice nutrition and healthy eating habits.
Proper nutrition is needed to keep an individual’s body functioning normally. Proper nutrition can be gained by eating the right healthy foods. Eating a nutritious diet helps an individual keep an ideal body weight and allows and lessens an individual’s chances of being afflicted by serious diseases (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Also, proper nutrition helps promote a sound and healthy mind and body. However an individual must connect healthy diet and physical activity in order to allow an individual to make the right choices in food, which would then result in a healthy lifestyle.
Spiritual Wellness
Everyone has their own interpretation as to what human spirituality means or dictates. There are even common bonds that bring human spirituality together making it what it is. So in the terms with health and wellness, human spirituality plays a different role. According to Seaward (2008) human spirituality are considered methods that together nurture the growth of the human spirit. In other words they are exercises and practices effective in the process of all aspects of life to help maintain the health and wellness of an individual. Also, these exercises and practices are considered techniques that can help an indivdiual relax and cope with stress and find inner peace within themselves. In addition, the practices of spirituality helps an individual find oneself and determine who they really are and what their pupose in life is about. Furthermore, spirituality helps an individual learns to let go of their overall problems in life such as thoughts, perceptions and frustrations for positive outlooks. Moreover, spirituality helps an individual place and collects new visions of life purposes and valuing everyday conflicts in a positive way. Most of all spirituality helps an individual come together and seek support from others. Overall, spirituality helps strengthen and enhance the overall well-being of an individual either internally or externally. The goal is to help the individual seek within themselves so they are able to better cope with everyday stresses, struggles and conflicts that occur in everyday life as well as find oneself. Therefore, for my spiritual wellness, the two types of strategies that I can implement to foster growth in my life would be through my practices of religion and Meeting Aesclepius.
There are so many ways that religion engages with human spiritual wellness. Religion has been among the most powerful means for changing human attitudes and behavior (Carmody, McGuire, & Kessler, 2008). Also, religion promotes the oneness of humanity. Religion is what brings an individual together with society. Having said that, religious practices assists an individual to grow towards spiritual wellness by better managing their daily struggles and problems in a more positive way. Through religion, an individual is able to speak freely about their problems to others and allow them to help themselves. Furthermore, because of religion, an individual’s spiritual well-being will allow them to let go of the problems that is beyond their control and leave it at the hands of their creator. Additionally, because of religion, an individual’s spiritual wellness will give them a better appreciation towards life and they will give them a better understanding that they have more to live for.
The other practice that can foster in my growth towards spiritual wellness is the exercise Meeting Aesclepius. This exercise by Dacher (2006) can be a very emotional exercise. This exercise touches one’s inner heart and reaches out to it in order to heal it. This exercise helps touches and reaches out to the natural essence of our heart and mind. This exercise helps guide and heal our innersoles guiding us to positive choices and actions through deep wisdom. This exercise will fill one’s mind body, spirit by eradicating confusion and stress and giving happiness and fullness within oneself. Overall this is an exercise of inner essence towards integral health.
Having said that, both spiritual strategies mentioned above can foster an increase in my spiritual wellness because it allows me to come to the realization that whenever I am stressed and feeling hopeless, all I have to do is rely on my religious faith and/or practice Meeting Aesclepius so I can see my inner essence of life and that nothing is as difficult as it may seem. Therefore these practices are something I can implement in my life on a daily basis or whenever needed to foster greater health and wellness by appreciating what I have and to do my best regardless of the consequences.
Psychological Wellness
First of all, everyone encounters some type of stress in their lives. Stress affects the body in so many ways that sometimes it can be harmful if not managed well. Stress affects an individual mentally, physically, emotionally, and physiologically. However, not many are aware that stress can weaken our immunity making our bodies susceptible to diseases or how Sapolsky (2009) says it “stress can make you more likely to get diseases that make you sick” (p. 353). Also, stress has the ability to cause depression, anxiety, and addiction. But if one is able to manage it correctly, individual’s can avoid and decrease their chances of getting sick. Having said that, the two practices I can implement to foster growth towards my psychologial well-being is the Crime of the Century relaxation exercise and the universal loving kindness exercise.
The Crime of the Century relaxation exercise is sure to give an individual a revitalizing experience. Utilizing the methods of meditation and visualization helps alleviate one’s mind of all their problems and worries. This is such a beneficial exercise to experience especially when an individual is in need of separating themselves from the outside world and in need of relaxing the mind. The sound of the music in the background along with the soothing voice of the man will help an individual feel calm and very relaxed inside and out. The relation of the colors of the rainbow with parts of the body region and how it all combines together will assist an individual to stay connected with themselves as well as give them a sense of balance within themselves. The sense of being grounded will aid an individual in feeling comfortable and stable. Feeling centered will improve an individual’s confidence and self worth and love, not just by anyone but the world. Also the sense of positivity will let an individual feel as if nothing can come between them and take the feelings they are experiencing right now. Overall this experience will give an individual a better outlook on life, provide them with stronger will power and creativity along with granting them the feeling of positivity that they are able to accomplish anything in life and that they are a strong individual. This will also give a better outlook to the meaning in life. Overall this exercise gives individual’s a feeling of balance and connection, where they will feel at peace.
The Universal Loving Kindness exercise is a powerful meditation exercise expanding the mind and heart (Dacher, 2006). Also, this meditation exercise is a short yet great source of practice in alleviating embedded anger and hatred built within an individual’s heart. Once practiced and incorporated into one’s life, one will be able to move their personal love within themselves to universal loving-kindness to others around them. In addition, this exercise is considered a thoughtful and reflective healing award not just for our personal being but everyone else around them in the world. This practice helps individual’s reach out to others. Best of all, this exercise doesn’t take much effort or time to incorporate this simple practice into one’s daily life.
Both exercises help in managing and relieving stress. Since my goal is to better manage and relieve mental stress, these exercises are of benefit to me by incorporating it on a weekly basis or as needed. I can either practice it within my home or in my office whenever I am feeling stressed. Besides both exercise helps benefit me towards better wellness of the body, mind and spirit as well as physical, mental, and spiritual well-being which is the focus of my future goal.
Commitment
Every now and then, one must reflect back to see whether one has fully acomplished the goals set upon themselves. In other words, an individual is able to assess the progress or lack of progress one has set upon themselves is by reflecting back and reflecting back to ones score and goals.
Reaching out for total health and wellness of the mind, body and spirit may seem difficult. It takes patience, time and commitment in order to achieve it. Also, it takes certain steps, levels, and practices in order to heal each necessary part of the mind, body and spirit. The goal is to heal the inner aspects as well as the outer aspects of the mind, body, and spirit to reach integral health and human flourishing. Therefore, many individuals may find it intimidating or overwhelming to achieve the goals of integral health and total wellness. However, Dacher (2006) explains of the path to integral health begins with specific preparations which serves two purposes. First requires one’s “firm and genuine commitment to rechannel one’s energies inward” (Dacher, 2006, p. 49). Meaning devotion and strength to commit oneself completely. Secondly, “they prepare us for the psychospiritual practices that are essential to initiate the inward turn and the integral process itself” (Dacher, 2006, p. 49). In other words, by committing oneself, this will better prepare us to make change into our lives.
Having said that, the strategies can utilize to assist in maintaining their long-term practices for health and wellness begins with an individual’s faith. According to Dacher (2006), faith will help motivate an individual to redirect one’s power and energy and develop a better perspective of one’s life and how vital it is given all the opportunities laid upon us. For instance, my faith through the Lord has motivated me to better care for myself in order to serve him and others. My faith in the Lord has given me hope to a better life and health by providing me a great relationship with my family through happiness. My faith in the Lord helps lift up my spirits when I am feeling down and I am stressed and worried. This helps my health in ways of managing my daily stresses in my life and in the prevention and enhancement of any type of illnesses, infections, diseases, or viruses.
The next strategy an individual can develop to prepare themselves to incorporate integral health is developing a positive attitude such as loving-kindness (Dacher, 2006). According to Dacher (2006), through positive attitudes such as loving-kindness, an individual will be able to seek the cooperation of others. For example, by having a positive attitude of loving-kindness, I am opening myself to express any types of problems and issues I may be having, and I am allowing others to help assist me either through counseling or through social support. This will help my health by alleviating all the possible stresses and problems I encounter daily rather than embedding it all inside of me and letting it eat me little by little which can be mentally, physically and emotionally draining.
Finally, Dacher (2006) explains the last specific skill an individual can develop to better prepare themselves to incorporate integral health, this consist of striving and creating an haven of silence and solitude. In other words, meditation. This will allow an individual the opportunity to reflect and relax all of life’s issues. An example will be exercising or walking outside. By walking outside on a beautiful day with my daughter in her jogging stroller, I am able to clear my mind from all my worries. I am able to appreciate all my surroundings and think about how good my life is. I am able to relax and clear my mind. This helps my health because I am not just physically gaining the benefits but mentally and emotionally feeling good about my life.
In conclusion, achieving integral health may seem easy but is not difficult. It requires one’s commitment and devotion in order to receive it. Through the specific skills of faith, positive attitude and meditation, an individual can easily prepare themselves to incorporate integral health into their life as well as their personal health at any time. And by doing so, an individual will benefit the healing of the mind, body and soul and gain total wellness as a whole.
Reference
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