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.