Self evaluation

First off I can not believe that this literally the end of such a wonderful, and interesting class. I have learned so much, and do plan o actually utilizing what I have learned in the past 10 weeks! I have been most fascinated with meditation I can appreciate things that I have learned and kept an open mind to things even though it wasn't something that I were accustom to prior to taking this class. Well enough of my blabbing in this blog we were ask to answer a series of questions about our ratings which was done during the third week into class. So in the next few questions I will be answering the questions as honest as possible as I have done in the past of course :).

1. Review your unit 3 personal assessment of your psychological, physical, and spiritual well-being. Reflect on these areas . How did you score yourself on a scale from 1 to 10 in unit 3?

So during unit 3 I gave myself a rating of 10 for physical, 9 for spiritual, and 10 for psychological, which during this time I felt held true because this is how life was going at that very time.
How do you score yourself now? Has the score changed? Why or why not?

I would rate myself now days a 8 for physical, 9 for spiritual, 10 psychological. The score has changed since in the physical aspect because I haven't really focused on physical that much I have become very "lax" since I notice that I did notice that I did lose weight so that I can fit into my wedding dress for this winter, however the other scores have remained the same.

2. Review the goals and activities you set for yourself in each area. Have you made progress toward the goals? Explain.
I haven't made progress for the most part I have remained consist except regarding the physical aspect. I know that there is room for improvement  and that is something I must focus on.
3. Have you implemented the activities you chose for your well-being in each of the three areas? Explain.

I haven't really implemented any of the activities in those three, as said before I can reach my goals with consistency and dedication.

4. Summarize your personal experience throughout this course. Have you developed improved well-being? What has been rewarding? What has been difficult? How will this experience improve your ability to assist others?

Overall, the experience that I received throughout the course was a positive one, and I did develop a since of self during this class, I feel that there really isn't one thing that was rewarding each part of the class gave me something that can be used in real life situations and that I considered to be rewarding. What I found to be the most difficult is concentrating on the recording that ask us to focus on certain things, I can admit I did become side track at time, however, I did try regaining concentration without the side notes, and I also like to add hearing those voices soothe me to the point of becoming sleepy (lol), while the whole point of those exercises was to focus. I think that this experience can allow me to be more humble and understanding to others and I like that, I have been an understanding person however, I have gain more patients overtime.

Holistic health

1. Introduction:
   Why is it important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically?

 It is important that wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually, and physically because it will not only help the person he/she are helping, but it will allow the professional to discover the profound possibilities of integral health and healing, when the professionals are exposed to these practices themselves it opens up their minds to develop an understanding on human flourishing (Dacher, 2006).

What areas do you need to develop to achieve the goals you have for yourself?

I personally need to develop meditation skills more efficient than I have been. This is mainly why I decided to take online class to disconnect myself from this distractions that was around me when I was in a live class. I feel that if I can develop a skill such as meditation this can help when I'm trying to remain focus and to focus on my inner self.

1. Assessment:
   How have you assessed your health in each domain?

I have only assessed my health in two different areas and that was physically, and spiritually. I find it natural for me to exercise, and spiritual wise I am building a relationship with God and want to more close to him I pray in the morning thanking him for another day and for getting through the day and having my daily word from the bible that I read in the morning.

How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically?

I’m going to be completely honest in terms of psychologically I would rate myself a 2 because I rarely concentrate on that aspect of my life. However, when it comes to spiritual and physical I would rate myself a 7 there is certainly room for improvement in each area, however that commitment can only come from one person, and that’s me.  

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

Physical goal: is to stay in shape and continue with my workouts.

Psychological: I would like to focus more on meditation.

Spiritual: I would like to continue building a relationship with God.

1. 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.

In order to implement each of these domains into my life it will take time, dedication, and persistence. In order to focus on my physical I will incorporate more exercise such as walking, and working out at home, psychological  I will try new things such as yoga  and meditation to enhance my psychologically. Spiritual I will continue praying and reading the bible.

1. 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?

I will make sure that what I have learn in class will be applied to real life situations and look back on what was learned. I can also refer back to my reading material to refresh my mind if there is something that I needed a refresher on. I think all in all just staying consistent can help with these practices and if I remain consistent I'm sure I will see change.

Practices

Over the past few weeks we have been doing a few meditation exercises that were suppose to have us tap into our inner selves. While, I found each exercise to be different in its own way, the two that I found to be most beneficial was the Meeting Aesculapius and the Loving Kindness exercise. Ways to incorporate these two exercises in life can quite simple choosing a time and day where you are less distracted can be helpful in practicing each exercise. These exercises can be incorporated in life by actually practicing what was meditated and using it in real life situations. For example you can show love and kindness towards one another and in terms of the Meeting Aesculapius can allow you to have peace with someone your thinking about having that person with you in spirit, this is what I liked  most about this exercise.

Meeting Aesclepius

I found that this exercise was hardest for me to completely focus. I'm not sure if it was because I was trying to hard to find that male or female image, or that I was pretty tired from the long day that I had. I have not had the chance to meditate, however I have had the chance to read my daily word from Joel Osteen, and some exercising that helps me to relax and start my day. I would image that staying focused and not dozing off can help with these meditation exercises.

"One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself" (p.477). I think that if you have done something yourself you can explain it better instead of being the outsider looking in on a situation and giving your two cents on a situation that you have never experience. For example I cant tell someone to exercise and eat right because it would improve your body, while I sit on the couch eating everything in sight and then falling asleep, in other words practice what your preach and you can be taken seriously. I think that I do have the obligation to my clients regarding health psychologically, physically, and spiritually only if I'm leading by example. In terms of incorporating psychological and spiritual growth in myself I must follow what I say and bring those things to past opposed to just saying and not doing at all.

Loving Kindness

After completing the exercises it was liberating. The first exercise allow me to become open minded, and to be honest it came easy for me since I'm a type of person who would wish bad or negative things on people. I have been told that I'm a nice person and how can I be so nice and caring? Well the answer to that is easy it's natural, and would can be that way if he/she allows their self to be that way. I find these exercises beneficial since it takes me away from "real life" situations at the time of doing them.  I think that focusing on myself first and fixing whatever flaws I have about self should be the first thing, and after that I can focus on others and my surroundings, but I believe that change starts within, and once that happens you can move on with yourself. I feel that yoga can help when it comes to optimum health, although I haven't tried that I will consider doing that to help work on my inner self.

Mental Fitness

During this week the class was asked to do another relaxation session, and it was certainly a much needed exercise. I found that during this weeks exercise that it was a bit more relaxing to the point that I felt my self drifting to fall asleep at times and had to get back into listening to what the speaker was saying. I'm not sure if it was a good thing that I was falling asleep, however I do feel when I drift off like that I tend "dream" of what is being said and it stays in my mind, I guess that can be a good thing. I certainly have been benefiting from these relaxation practices they help me gather my thoughts and focus on my inner self in ways that I wasn't able to do before. Spiritual wellness is different for each person my way of spiritual wellness is to pray to God, and leave whatever it is I'm dealing with in his hands. Mental wellness allows the mind to solve problems, and physical wellness allows your body to develop optimal physical strength through working out and healthy eating habits. These three traits has help me change me life in the following ways I wanted to loose what so, I got into the mind set that if I eat right exercise, then I can lose weight. I had to tell myself that I can do it even though it was hard at times and it paid off, so much so that I may have to get a smaller wedding dress, which is exciting. I believe that changes have to start with self in order for changes to show and move forward.

Loving Kindness

This week is to focus on Loving Kindness

 

Describe your experience. Did you find it beneficial? Difficult? Why or why not? Would you recommend this to others? Why or why not?

 

The experience was overall relaxing!!! To have time away from what is going on around is the best thing ever, I must admit it's like hitting the pause key, and just focusing on self. I found this activity to be beneficial since it was easy for me to focus on myself without letting any kind of distraction disturb me. I would certainly recommend this to anyone who needs time around from real life.

What is the concept of "mental workout"? What does the research indicate are the proven benefits of a mental workout? How can you implement mental workouts to foster your psychological health?

 

The concept of mental workout empower what our minds are capable, the mind is both powerful, and important for our well being. The research opens our minds and hearts to others, which in turn gradually diminishes self-centeredness, preparing our minds for further development (Dacher, 2006). I can image setting time for yourself in a nice quiet place can aid to optimal mental workouts.