I have made progress in some areas and not others. My psychological well being has improved, and I have a noticeably better outlook since I've assesed myself objectively and set goals. Physically, I haven't changed. I'm still very active, but my nutrition is still haphazard. This is something I feel will improve over time as I gain more control over my time management and impulses. Spiritually, I have begun to reach out more through prayer and a general non verbal spiritual communication with God. I guess you could call this "spirit", and I think by assessing what was going on in my life, I was able to find my spirit again.
I have made progress toward my goals, but the progress has been more mental than physical. I have a better sense of myself, my strengths, my weaknesses, and what I need to do to accomplish my goals.
I have implemented a few techniques, such as prayer and visualization, on a moe regular basis. My diet is still irregular, and I haven't been able to implenet meditation at this point. I look forward to a time in the near future when my schedule becomes more regular and I'm able to set aside time to meditate.
The most difficult part of this course for me has been identifying and admitting to my weaknesses. I have definitely improved my well-being, if only by being more honest with myself. Some of the things I want to change may happen overnight, and othrs may be a life-long journey. Either way, I know I'm a better person for having assesed my own strengths and weaknesses in an objective manner.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Unit 9 Project Post
Michael Christopher
Unit 9 Project
HW420-03
9-27-2010
I Introduction:
It is important for health and wellness professionals to progress and learn in all aspects of integral health. Without knowledge and progression in each aspect of health, we are not able to act as mentors and guide others toward health and happiness. Our journey as individuals gives us the knowledge and wisdom to help others. Even through our mistakes, we learn valuable lessons we can share with others who aspire to travel down the same path. If we are blind to our own journey, we are not able to learn from our experiences and guide others.
II Assessment:
I have evaluated my own health in all aspects. My assessment has revealed that I can improve on all levels. I feel like this is a realistic assessment, unlike some who may refuse to admit there is room for improvement. Spiritually, I am more distant than I have been in the past. I have lost a sense of connection with a higher power that I once had. Psychologically, I feel like I am well, but I still have room for growth. I tend to have a good perspective on life, but occasionally I still get anxious, depressed, or angry. This tells me there is an opportunity to improve mu psychological health. Physically, I have adopted a regular fitness regimen, but my nutrition is not as good as I would like. Particular weaknesses in the areas of time management and food cravings still exist and impact my nutrition.
III Goal development:
Spiritually, my goal is to once again establish the feeling of connection that I once had. I would like to eliminate the separation that now exists between my consciousness and the higher consciousness. Psychologically, my goal is to develop a calm abiding mind. I would like to be able to witness events in my life without reacting to them and letting them affect my psychological state. Physically, my goal is to improve my nutrition. By taking the necessary steps to eat healthier, I will drastically improve my physical health, which will in turn affect my psychological and spiritual health as well.
IV Practices for personal health:
My strategies for spiritual growth include prayer and meditation. I find that praying to a higher power every night helps to reach out and establish a spiritual connection. Conversely, I believe that meditation creates an open vessel to be filled by the spiritual aspects of consciousness. My goal is to set aside 15-20 minutes every day solely for the purpose of meditation.
Psychologically, my goals are less defined. I would like to develop a more calm-abiding consciousness, and I believe I will do this through more positive self talk. Additionally, I plan on reading more books that allow me to alter my perception. Authors such as Anthony Robins and Deepak Chopra can act as mentors to guide me to a higher level of psychological health.
Physically, I plan to improve my nutrition. This will be done in several ways. Planning ahead is critical, and having the foods on hand to prepare helps to reduce the amount of pre-prepared foods eaten. I will also continue to educate myself on the benefits of good nutrition. Although I have studied nutrition for almost 20 years, keeping the information on the forefront of the mind helps to take positive action. Finally, I would like to enroll my wife and myself in a cooing class, so that we feel more comfortable preparing our own foods.
V Commitment:
Assessment and follow up are essential components of any program. Without knowing where we are now, how do we know what to do in order to achieve our goals? I tend to constantly re-evaluate myself, but one strategy I have neglected recently is writing down goals. I plan on creating a blog which records my goals, my strategies, and my progress. A journal in the form of a blog will enable me to review my progress regularly, and also opens my life up to others. Making my own journey visible to others will help me to be accountable for my actions, and it will also help me to act as a mentor to others following a similar path to my own.
References
Dacher, Elliot (2006) Integral health, Laguna Beach, CA, Basic Health Publications
Schlitz, Marilyn, Amorok, Tina (2005) Consciousness & Healing, St. Louis, MO, Elsevier
Unit 9 Project
HW420-03
9-27-2010
I Introduction:
It is important for health and wellness professionals to progress and learn in all aspects of integral health. Without knowledge and progression in each aspect of health, we are not able to act as mentors and guide others toward health and happiness. Our journey as individuals gives us the knowledge and wisdom to help others. Even through our mistakes, we learn valuable lessons we can share with others who aspire to travel down the same path. If we are blind to our own journey, we are not able to learn from our experiences and guide others.
II Assessment:
I have evaluated my own health in all aspects. My assessment has revealed that I can improve on all levels. I feel like this is a realistic assessment, unlike some who may refuse to admit there is room for improvement. Spiritually, I am more distant than I have been in the past. I have lost a sense of connection with a higher power that I once had. Psychologically, I feel like I am well, but I still have room for growth. I tend to have a good perspective on life, but occasionally I still get anxious, depressed, or angry. This tells me there is an opportunity to improve mu psychological health. Physically, I have adopted a regular fitness regimen, but my nutrition is not as good as I would like. Particular weaknesses in the areas of time management and food cravings still exist and impact my nutrition.
III Goal development:
Spiritually, my goal is to once again establish the feeling of connection that I once had. I would like to eliminate the separation that now exists between my consciousness and the higher consciousness. Psychologically, my goal is to develop a calm abiding mind. I would like to be able to witness events in my life without reacting to them and letting them affect my psychological state. Physically, my goal is to improve my nutrition. By taking the necessary steps to eat healthier, I will drastically improve my physical health, which will in turn affect my psychological and spiritual health as well.
IV Practices for personal health:
My strategies for spiritual growth include prayer and meditation. I find that praying to a higher power every night helps to reach out and establish a spiritual connection. Conversely, I believe that meditation creates an open vessel to be filled by the spiritual aspects of consciousness. My goal is to set aside 15-20 minutes every day solely for the purpose of meditation.
Psychologically, my goals are less defined. I would like to develop a more calm-abiding consciousness, and I believe I will do this through more positive self talk. Additionally, I plan on reading more books that allow me to alter my perception. Authors such as Anthony Robins and Deepak Chopra can act as mentors to guide me to a higher level of psychological health.
Physically, I plan to improve my nutrition. This will be done in several ways. Planning ahead is critical, and having the foods on hand to prepare helps to reduce the amount of pre-prepared foods eaten. I will also continue to educate myself on the benefits of good nutrition. Although I have studied nutrition for almost 20 years, keeping the information on the forefront of the mind helps to take positive action. Finally, I would like to enroll my wife and myself in a cooing class, so that we feel more comfortable preparing our own foods.
V Commitment:
Assessment and follow up are essential components of any program. Without knowing where we are now, how do we know what to do in order to achieve our goals? I tend to constantly re-evaluate myself, but one strategy I have neglected recently is writing down goals. I plan on creating a blog which records my goals, my strategies, and my progress. A journal in the form of a blog will enable me to review my progress regularly, and also opens my life up to others. Making my own journey visible to others will help me to be accountable for my actions, and it will also help me to act as a mentor to others following a similar path to my own.
References
Dacher, Elliot (2006) Integral health, Laguna Beach, CA, Basic Health Publications
Schlitz, Marilyn, Amorok, Tina (2005) Consciousness & Healing, St. Louis, MO, Elsevier
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Unit 8 Post
Out of all of the exercises I have done during this course, I believe that Visualization and Meditation are going to be the most useful in my day to day life. I already use visualization, primarily after I have gone to bed but before falling asleep. I visualize a number of different things, such as the next day's workout, events I desire, or just myself in a happy and relaxed state. I really believe this practice of visualization, especially when combined with prayer, helps to program my subconscious mind and prepare me to deal with events in a positive and productive manner.
Let's be blunt - I suck at meditation. The fact that I can't slow my mind for any appreciable amount of time is great evidence that I NEED meditation. I fully intend to implement 15-20 minutes of meditation before bedtime to clear my mind and focus inwardly. I do have to say that I don't necessarily feel that guided meditation is for me, although that may change when I learn to calm my mind a little. By implementing meditation, I'm sure that I can reduce stress and improve by body's healing and response to exercise, which are high priorities for me.
Let's be blunt - I suck at meditation. The fact that I can't slow my mind for any appreciable amount of time is great evidence that I NEED meditation. I fully intend to implement 15-20 minutes of meditation before bedtime to clear my mind and focus inwardly. I do have to say that I don't necessarily feel that guided meditation is for me, although that may change when I learn to calm my mind a little. By implementing meditation, I'm sure that I can reduce stress and improve by body's healing and response to exercise, which are high priorities for me.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Unit 7 Post
Meeting Asclepius
I have trouble with meditation. I find the guided meditations to be contradictory to my mind......or something. In general, I prefer total silence to soft music and someone talking quietly to me. If anything, the sound of a water element is relaxing, but that's about it. That being said, I'm sure guided meditation works really well for many less introverted individuals who don't mind being talked at by a recording - it's just not for me.
"One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself". An interesting phrase, and overall it definitely has a lot of truth to it. I believe we have a duty as health professionals to practice what we preach as much as possible, in order to sever as a mentor and help others to the greatest degree.
Conversely, I also believe that we can help others even if we are not perfect ourselves. For example, I can give a client excellent nutritional advice even if I'm not following it myself. The client may not have the ultimate faith in what I say, but my advice would be sound nontheless.
I have come to the conclusion that it is impossible to do anything perfectly - it's just not in our imperfect human nature. To say we can lead others where we have not been is a little misleading in that regard. I would say, "We cannot guide others to places we don't have the map to". It doesn't sound quite as philosophical, but I think the meaning comes through.
I have trouble with meditation. I find the guided meditations to be contradictory to my mind......or something. In general, I prefer total silence to soft music and someone talking quietly to me. If anything, the sound of a water element is relaxing, but that's about it. That being said, I'm sure guided meditation works really well for many less introverted individuals who don't mind being talked at by a recording - it's just not for me.
"One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself". An interesting phrase, and overall it definitely has a lot of truth to it. I believe we have a duty as health professionals to practice what we preach as much as possible, in order to sever as a mentor and help others to the greatest degree.
Conversely, I also believe that we can help others even if we are not perfect ourselves. For example, I can give a client excellent nutritional advice even if I'm not following it myself. The client may not have the ultimate faith in what I say, but my advice would be sound nontheless.
I have come to the conclusion that it is impossible to do anything perfectly - it's just not in our imperfect human nature. To say we can lead others where we have not been is a little misleading in that regard. I would say, "We cannot guide others to places we don't have the map to". It doesn't sound quite as philosophical, but I think the meaning comes through.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Unit 6 - Practice and Assessment
The loving kindness practice
I found this interesting. As I sat quietly and repeated the sentences to myself, I found myself feeling lighter, as if a weight was lifted. I alsi felt more connected, as if I was opening myself to the universe. When I finished the practice, I had a more positive attitude, and I felt a little happier. Cool.
The Integral Health Assessment
Wow. This assessment really made me realize that I have a lot of work to do in all areas. Cognitively, I believe I'm doing OK, even though I am occasionally reactive. Biologically I'm doing OK as well, even though I still have a couple of habits that aren't the best. My interpersonal life is pretty good, with a loving family life, although I am not very involved in the community. The part of my development I need the most work on is definitely worldly. I tend to intentionally shut myself off from the world, which is limiting my personal growth and integral wellness.
That being said, I don't really feel ready to develop the world ly part of myself, so I've chosen to focus on my interpersonal relationships. I know I can be more involved with the community and relate to people in a more positive manner. Of course, I will continue to try and improve other areas as well.
I found this interesting. As I sat quietly and repeated the sentences to myself, I found myself feeling lighter, as if a weight was lifted. I alsi felt more connected, as if I was opening myself to the universe. When I finished the practice, I had a more positive attitude, and I felt a little happier. Cool.
The Integral Health Assessment
Wow. This assessment really made me realize that I have a lot of work to do in all areas. Cognitively, I believe I'm doing OK, even though I am occasionally reactive. Biologically I'm doing OK as well, even though I still have a couple of habits that aren't the best. My interpersonal life is pretty good, with a loving family life, although I am not very involved in the community. The part of my development I need the most work on is definitely worldly. I tend to intentionally shut myself off from the world, which is limiting my personal growth and integral wellness.
That being said, I don't really feel ready to develop the world ly part of myself, so I've chosen to focus on my interpersonal relationships. I know I can be more involved with the community and relate to people in a more positive manner. Of course, I will continue to try and improve other areas as well.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Unit 4 - Whew!
I have to be totally honest (that's a sign of maturity, right?), I could not get through the Love and Kindness activities this week. I have had a very stressful week, and calming my mind and reaching a higher spiritual level right now is very difficult for me. I plan to come back to these exercises when things calm down a little and I have more time.
As far as mental exercise, I believe this is really the practice of the power of intention. We can choose to respond to situations rather than react to them, and this trains the mind to "behave" in a specific way. If I choose to forgive someone and think positive thoughts when they cut me off and give me the finger in traffic, this trains my mind to respond to aggression with kindness. I believe this type of mental training is truly what leads to spiritual growth.
By the way, I'm definitely no master of this. I rarely shoot the finger, but I have no issues using my horn!
As far as mental exercise, I believe this is really the practice of the power of intention. We can choose to respond to situations rather than react to them, and this trains the mind to "behave" in a specific way. If I choose to forgive someone and think positive thoughts when they cut me off and give me the finger in traffic, this trains my mind to respond to aggression with kindness. I believe this type of mental training is truly what leads to spiritual growth.
By the way, I'm definitely no master of this. I rarely shoot the finger, but I have no issues using my horn!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Unit 3 Reflections
Physical Well Being
As sad as it is to say, I can't give myself over a 7 for my degree of physical well being. I say that's sad because I'm been a devotee of health and wellness for my entire adult life, yet I still fight addictions, cravings, and bad habits. I drink more than I should, and I love food. As such, I am a certified personal trainer who could design the perfect diet for you, but I'm overweight and not in the physical condition I'd like to be in.
The answers - Exercise more!......OK, that's just part of the equation. I'm also drinking less, and with my new job comes the structure I need to eat a healthier, more regimented diet. By my 36th birthday (this December), I'd like to be able to rate myself a solid 8.5-9.
Spiritual Well Being
This is a tough one. There was a time in my life, not so long ago, when I considered myself a very spiritual person. Over the last few years, I have lost some of my spirituality, and I'm currently working to re-establish it. ( I rate myself a 5). There have been a few events that have challenged my faith and decreased my enjoyment of life, and it's an uphill battle to overcome those things.
The answers - I need to set aside time for spiritual meditation. I have been praying more, although I can feel that my prayers are more ambivalent than they were before. I will continue to try to find my purpose in life, and regain my faith.
Psychological Well Being
I can honestly say this is my healthiest trait. I'll rate it an 8. I still have my issues (anger, primarily), but I find myself able to deal with life's situations fairly well for the most part. I do well at accepting things for what they are, and I am at peace with myself and my life.
The answers - Not sure. Hopefully I'll continue to get wiser as I get older, and I believe that as my spiritual and physical wellness improves, my psychological well-being will do the same. All aspects of wellness are connected, and I've experienced that first-hand.
Relaxation Exercise - Crime of the Century
First of all, why was this called "Crime of the Century"? Did I miss something?
Anyway, I actually liked the exercise. I find it very difficult to relax and settle in to the state I need to be in for these types of things, but once I did, I felt this was a very relaxing and uplifting experience. It was guided well, and I think it's something I'll use again.
As sad as it is to say, I can't give myself over a 7 for my degree of physical well being. I say that's sad because I'm been a devotee of health and wellness for my entire adult life, yet I still fight addictions, cravings, and bad habits. I drink more than I should, and I love food. As such, I am a certified personal trainer who could design the perfect diet for you, but I'm overweight and not in the physical condition I'd like to be in.
The answers - Exercise more!......OK, that's just part of the equation. I'm also drinking less, and with my new job comes the structure I need to eat a healthier, more regimented diet. By my 36th birthday (this December), I'd like to be able to rate myself a solid 8.5-9.
Spiritual Well Being
This is a tough one. There was a time in my life, not so long ago, when I considered myself a very spiritual person. Over the last few years, I have lost some of my spirituality, and I'm currently working to re-establish it. ( I rate myself a 5). There have been a few events that have challenged my faith and decreased my enjoyment of life, and it's an uphill battle to overcome those things.
The answers - I need to set aside time for spiritual meditation. I have been praying more, although I can feel that my prayers are more ambivalent than they were before. I will continue to try to find my purpose in life, and regain my faith.
Psychological Well Being
I can honestly say this is my healthiest trait. I'll rate it an 8. I still have my issues (anger, primarily), but I find myself able to deal with life's situations fairly well for the most part. I do well at accepting things for what they are, and I am at peace with myself and my life.
The answers - Not sure. Hopefully I'll continue to get wiser as I get older, and I believe that as my spiritual and physical wellness improves, my psychological well-being will do the same. All aspects of wellness are connected, and I've experienced that first-hand.
Relaxation Exercise - Crime of the Century
First of all, why was this called "Crime of the Century"? Did I miss something?
Anyway, I actually liked the exercise. I find it very difficult to relax and settle in to the state I need to be in for these types of things, but once I did, I felt this was a very relaxing and uplifting experience. It was guided well, and I think it's something I'll use again.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Relax! Do It Now!
I have a difficult time relaxing. I have used a number of relaxation techniques in the past, with mixed results. Generally, I either get distracted and can't focus on my relaxation, or I fall asleep. Either way, I believe I'm not really getting the intended results.
For this exercise, I listened to the guided audio. I found myself relaxing almost instantly, listening to the soothing voice of the narrator. I found a great deal of muscle tension I was previously unaware of. As I followed the verbal instructions, I found my tension decreasing, and my heart rate slowed down accordingly.
I managed to listen to the entire audio without falling asleep. This form of progressive relaxation is very effective, at least in the short term. I believe a lot of people would benefit greatly from a similar exercise.
Unfortunately, I rarely make the time to relax with intention. Between work, school, and family responsibilities, I find my only time to relax is the one hour period between school work and bedtime. My wife and I generally use this time to have a cup of hot tea (or something a little more potent) and watch television. I believe daily meditation would be very beneficial for us both, but we just aren't compelled to do it. It today's society, we get used to such a high level of stimulation that guided meditation seem almost boring and unproductive.
I will be working on changing my mindset to incorporate the benefits of meditation more often. Wish me luck, and I'll try not to fall asleep!
For this exercise, I listened to the guided audio. I found myself relaxing almost instantly, listening to the soothing voice of the narrator. I found a great deal of muscle tension I was previously unaware of. As I followed the verbal instructions, I found my tension decreasing, and my heart rate slowed down accordingly.
I managed to listen to the entire audio without falling asleep. This form of progressive relaxation is very effective, at least in the short term. I believe a lot of people would benefit greatly from a similar exercise.
Unfortunately, I rarely make the time to relax with intention. Between work, school, and family responsibilities, I find my only time to relax is the one hour period between school work and bedtime. My wife and I generally use this time to have a cup of hot tea (or something a little more potent) and watch television. I believe daily meditation would be very beneficial for us both, but we just aren't compelled to do it. It today's society, we get used to such a high level of stimulation that guided meditation seem almost boring and unproductive.
I will be working on changing my mindset to incorporate the benefits of meditation more often. Wish me luck, and I'll try not to fall asleep!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Psychological and Spiritual Wellness
This blog is devoted to wellness. Specifically, the psychological and spiritual aspects of wellness that are often overlooked by Western Medicine. I have read a great deal on the health and vitality that comes from within, and I hope to share some valuable information on this blog.
I'd like to start out by saying I believe the core of wellness comes from within. Our physical being is a manifestation of our feelings, thoughts, an beliefs. If we learn to control this inner dialogue, we can alter our overall wellness and overcome great physical hurdles. Although I have read a lot about meditation, affirmations, self talk, and belief systems, I still consider myself a student. Tapping in to our inner being seems to be increasingly difficult in modern society, especially here in the U.S., where these things are not a part of our culture.
I believe that we can all be healthier and more effective by learning how to tap into our inner selves. I sincerely hope to learn more throughout my life, and share some of what I learn here. I also hope that some of the information in this blog affects others in a positive way, and stimulates thought, introspection, and personal change.
I'd like to start out by saying I believe the core of wellness comes from within. Our physical being is a manifestation of our feelings, thoughts, an beliefs. If we learn to control this inner dialogue, we can alter our overall wellness and overcome great physical hurdles. Although I have read a lot about meditation, affirmations, self talk, and belief systems, I still consider myself a student. Tapping in to our inner being seems to be increasingly difficult in modern society, especially here in the U.S., where these things are not a part of our culture.
I believe that we can all be healthier and more effective by learning how to tap into our inner selves. I sincerely hope to learn more throughout my life, and share some of what I learn here. I also hope that some of the information in this blog affects others in a positive way, and stimulates thought, introspection, and personal change.
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