Unit 9 Final Project

I. Introduction

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

It is important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically so they are able to offer holistic options to their clients. If a provider has not themselves developed in these areas I find it hard to believe that they will be successful with their clients.

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

      I believe that I could develop each area further. At this time I am not 100% sure what I want to do with my degree; however, I know that each of these areas need improvement. I plan on practicing meditation in order to expand my spiritual side, I will work on exercising and becoming more active to become more physical and as for psychologically, I need to be more positive regarding my attitude towards many things, mostly my ability to create change.

II. Assessment

How have you assessed your health in each domain? How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically?

      I have assessed my mind, body and spirit by reflecting on my goals and where I stand in relation to reaching them. Spiritually I feel I am at an 8, physically I am at a 5, and psychologically I am a 7 or 8. I feel that no one is ever at a perfect 10, there is always room for us to improve. I am about six months from reaching my goal of finishing my degree, along the way I am taking fitness classes so that I can do some teaching when I am finished, but I must first reach the goal I have set for me physically, spending so much time sitting and studying, I am quite out of shape.

III. Goal development

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

      My goals are clear and simple. My physical goal is to loose 35 pounds. My psychological goal is to graduate and find a career path that suits me and my lifestyle. My spiritual goal is to master the art of meditation.

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.

There are many practices that I plan on implementing to foster growth in the areas of physical, psychological and spiritual.

Physical – I want to begin a regular exercise program, such as walking every morning and doing strength training 3 times per week. I would also like to begin some type of outdoor activity, possibly hiking or rock climbing. In addition, I want to work harder on my nutritional practices. After all, I want to offer nutritional counseling to my clients, and I can’t do that if I am not living by my guidelines as well.

Psychological – I am always reading to expand my knowledge, I would like to take some additional classes, one I do not necessarily need but want to take for personal growth. I also want to get some additional fitness training in areas that are somewhat outside my “comfort” zone, things that I may not want to do, but again, options I can offer my clients.

Spiritual – As I mentioned previously, I want to work on mediation. I would also like to begin taking yoga classes. Mostly I want to spend more quality tie with my family.

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?

      The next six months I will do what I can, I still have that long until I finish school. Once I am finished is when I plan to implement the big changes. Until that point I plan on making small changes that will better my health in all areas. I always keep a journal to see what progress I have made and am currently making. I will continue that practice. I am hoping that as my physical abilities improve I will be able to gauge my progress by the increase in my stamina and the progression to harder exercise/dance classes.

Unit 8

I am going to have to say that the two sessions that I have enjoyed the most and found to be beneficial are the subtle mind and the visualization.  I went back and practiced the subtle mind several times and was able to focus on my breathing and it allowed me to clear my mind relax, this gave me the clarity to keep my mind focused on one thing and one thing only. The visualization practice did not work for me at the time but I went back on a day that was very taxing. At that time I was able to visualize a soothing setting that allowed me to let go of the day’s happenings and put it all behind me. After that I was able to completely relax and enjoy my evening.

Unit 6

What I discovered about myself this week is that apparently I have no focus. My work and home schedule has been so hectic this week that I was completly unable to focus on either exercise. I tried the loving-kindness exercise and all I could think of was that there was no way my thoughts could possibly affect ALL the individuals we were to focus on. As for the assesment process, I could not focus long enough to get anywhere with it. I tried several times and just could not. I absolutely need to work on this area of my focus.


Describe the exercise and assessment process. What did you discover about yourself? What area have you chosen to be a focus of growth and development? Why? What are some specific exercises or activities that you can implement to foster greater wellness in this area?

Unit 5 - Subtle Mind

Well, I would have to say that this week’s guided imagery was more effective for me than most. I will admit that I dozed off the last few minutes and was startled when she spoke again. I was able to focus on the breathing and was able to clear my mind, it felt very good. At the end I felt tired but very rejuvenated over all. I am not sure why but the Loving Kindness exercise bothered me. I think it jumped around to much, I liked how this was only focused on my breathing.

Lately I have worked to improve my emotional/spiritual wellness and I have been succeeding. I am finding that I am happier, more easy going and I am beginning to feel better physically. I experience migraines at least once a week. I have not had one for at least a month now. I have also noticed that my temperament is changing, I no longer fly off the handle if something does not go as I had planned. I would say I have improved my spiritual and my physical wellbeing.

Unit 4 Loving Kindness

This week’s loving kindness practice was somewhat beneficial for me. I always have a hard time with these exercises. I just don’t relax easily and quite honestly I usually find the voices a little on the creepy side. This time I did experience a sense of emotional feeling, understanding and empathetic for others. On the other hand I also felt that it was a little on the boring side due to the long gaps between parts. I don’t know that I would recommend this to others. I might tell them to simply try it, I may or may not be for them.

As for a mental workout, the concept is that our minds can do many incredible things such as healing the body. A mental workout can also include meditation, where the mind works the body in order to relax and gather ones thoughts.

Feeling a little blue

Well, today I am home home feeling under the weather. I have been nursing a cold for the last week, so I would have to put my physical wellbeing at about a 6 today, my spiritual at a 8 or 9 and my psychological at about an 8. I am feeling pretty good about most things, fall is my favorite time of year and other tan the cold keeping me down I am feeling very motivated to change the few things in my life that need improvement. I am working on loosing weight and organizing my home better. My goal for the weigt loss is to stop eating anthing that didn't exist 100 years ago and to begin walking in the mornings and doing Zumba twice a week.

As for the relaxation exercise, I just don't do well with these. I have never been able to find myself relaxing during these exercises. I am nit sure why, other than the fact that I don't relax easily.

Have a great day all!

Don't like these!

I have a very hard time with this type of relaxation. I find myself picking apart what the speaker is saying, the sound of his voice and so many other things. If I am able to go past the speaker and focus in on the music I have better luck at relaxing. I admidt I am very slow to relax, but these just don't help me at all. I would much rather to have a nice music track to listen to.