Unit 9 Project

I Introduction:

It is important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically because if you want to make yourself more credible than you have to have the knowledge and background to grasp the entire picture in order to really understand and help someone else. To be an effective healer you have to practice what you preach in order to lead the way. I am dealing with many areas in my life that I need to develop in order to achieve the goals I have for myself. I am trying to restore my physical health at this time by exercising, eating extremely clean and taking natural supplements and herbs instead of chemical drugs in order to heal my body naturally. I also am learning to get back in touch with my spirituality because I am still trying to find my place in this world and understand what I came down here to do. Psychologically I am pretty savvy because I really try and face my problems head on and I deal with the issues in my life as they arise with a few steps back at times, but I am "aware" which is the most important aspect. I really understand why I do the things I do and I am learning to change the behaviors in my life that are holding me back instead of pushing me forwards which is key.

II Assessment:

I have assessed my health in each domain by looking inside myself and using the reading material to gain better understanding of how to get in touch with myself. I think some of my scores have gotten higher since I started this class because again I have become much more aware of my surroundings and myself. However, I still need practice in some areas so physically I would score myself an eight because I am still trying to get back into the shape I was in when I was surfing waves in Hawaii. I know my body has changed from my surgery but I believe enough in myself that I can make myself even stronger than I was before because I have the tools within and without along with the plan and desire to follow them. I would give myself a nine psychologically because there is always room for growth but I really do understand myself and I have come along way from my younger years when I didn't have clue. I am sure if I as writing this paper 10 years from now I would say the same thing though. I have learned to confront issues as they happen and not to harbor grudges. I am not afraid to speak up, show love, and have learned there is no need for pride when it comes to saying what you truly mean. I have learned to cut ties with people that have hurt me and have forgiven them in my own way and let go. I have learned to embrace the future with dreams and goals and to never be afraid of leaving my comfort zone and trying something new. I have learned that money can't buy happiness and that happiness comes from within yourself because some of my best moments were in the company of friends and family and are priceless. I have learned that you take yourself wherever you go and home is always in your heart. Teeth are made for smiling too and not just for eating and the beauty of life is that despite all the day-to-day complaints we have, it is truly sweet if we focus on the positive. On that note, I would give my spirituality an eight because I feel like I have so much yet to learn in that realm. However, when I do search within myself I do feel a strong connection to those around my environment and me. I do believe that most people are innately good and that we are all searching for our own personal happiness and place in this world "in the end."


III Goal development:

One goal I have for myself physically is to get back into shape and fit back into my old clothes because I liked the way I looked back then but I also really liked the energy I had when I was in shape. I carried myself differently when I was in shape and I was more comfortable in my own skin. Psychologically my goal is to find a new job that is less stressful and lets me be more creative in the way I think. My job now is stressful and not because the work is, hard but because of the micro managing that takes place. Spiritually I would like to dip into my sixth sense more because as child, it was very strong and at times I can still pick up on little things but I would like to develop it more. I would like to bring more harmony between my mind, body and spirit.

IV Practices for personal health:

The strategy to foster physical growth is to work hard with my personal trainer to get stronger and leaner again. Also sticking with my diet and natural supplements is equally important in improving my health. I also am having my blood work monitored with my doctor in order to straighten out my hormones and thyroid and I am grateful she is understanding and on the same page as me when it comes to the natural treatment plan I have opted for. Psychologically I am learning that some environments like my job aren't going to change and only I can change. Therefore, I am actively seeking new employment but the economy has killed the job market. I am now finding other ways to cope in the meantime, mostly by putting things in perspective and realizing that misery likes company and not to let other people bring me down. I smile, laugh and refuse to be miserable while doing things one at a time and realizing that it always gets done and there is no need to get anxious or upset. I also am learning to take some "me" time instead of working all the time, which again is why I am only taking one class this summer. Spiritually I have been practicing the meditation techniques we have learned this semester with some visualization techniques as well. I am now learning to tap into my own inner wisdom for the answers instead of always searching externally for the "hows" and "whys" to everything. I am learning to see life with new eyes and that includes people too. I also have bee practicing yoga, which I really like because not only does it help in flexibility but it also helps me in calming my minds and centering myself into the "now." I can't wait to do on the beach on vacation this summer.

V Commitment:

I will assess my progress in six months by how I look and feel both mentally and physically opposed to how I feel right now. I plan to continue what I have learned in this class because of the positive effects it has had on me and by reading more on integral health practices. I love the concept, I wish there were more centers that provided this type of healing, but hopefully in the future there will be. I think the strategy that will assist me the most in maintaining long-term practices for heath and wellness is "practice," and making it a daily habit. It takes years to develop bad habits and it can take years to develop good habits to undo the bad. Staying focused on the positive and retraining my thinking is a big part of that change. I have been really trying to change the way I think about life and my health in order to make those changes. Everyday is a new day of better health and vitality so I only see myself getting stronger in the future. This class has definitely shown me how powerful the mind really is and that is where more than half of the battle takes place. "A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions." ~Oliver Wendell Holmes