Project Unit 9

Unit 9 already! I was not quite sure how to attach my project so I copy and pasted it. I have enjoyed each and everyone of my classmates and have gained a great deal of knowledge from this class.

Thank you,

Shawna


Unit 9 Project
Introduction-It is important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually, and physically because we deal with human beings as our clients. In order for my client to benefit from my teachings I myself have to have something to offer. I offer growth and education for my clients but if I am not growing myself in my own path of life I will in a sense remain stagnant. The constant evolution of the human spirit amazes and as we grow and change so do the lives of our client because we have new exciting concepts to offer them. In my own development I would say spirituality is where I need to grow. I do have a good sense of belief and a definite belief system, however the spiritual peace lacks for me. I have enrolled in several spirituality classes that focus on inner peace and joy. These classes provide readings, meditation and fitness combined for a well rounded effect.
Assessment- How I have assessed myself in each domain has been by tracking my daily life by journaling. I log every day the progress or lack of in every area of my life. Evaluating my life in each area for me has to be seen on paper to really affect me. I am a visual person and value the outcome of going back in the pages of my journal and seeing the progression lack of in my life.
Goal development- Physical goals for me include remaining diabetes free and gaining strength to support my aging body. I implement plyometrics into my fitness routine 4 times a week and 40 regular non modified pushups (the boy ones) everyday. In the area of psychological health (mental health) I take a mental health day from work once every 3 months and do absolutely nothing. I enjoy a day out in nature and leave all electronic products turned off. I journal, pray and gain a center on these mental health days. I also see a therapist once a month just to stay in touch (and receive a little mental homework) ha ha. My goal mentally is to be able to meditate at least 30 min by July 1st.In the area of spiritually my goal is to explore 1 new religion every six months to become more aware of the worlds beliefs and my diverse clienteles beliefs to better serve them.
Practices for personal health- Science arrives at its understandings by reducing the body to its most physical elements (Dacher, 2006, p. 80). Two examples of physical practices would be yoga and running. Yoga provides the stretching necessary for the body to maintain optimal physical health and reduction of injury to the joints. Running which is on the opposite side of yoga provides cardiovascular health and allows me to clear my mind of useless chatter. Psychological practices would be the combination of therapy and meditation. Therapy allows a professional view and professional suggestions to implement in life (a third party so to speak). Meditation I found through this class has allowed me to calm my mind gaining a sense of center and peace. I am going to continue with the meditation because I have noticed a great deal of improvement. Spiritual examples would be attending an organized church and spending more time in nature. I find that groups of people gathered together bring a sense of unity and really feeds the soul and allows me spiritual development. Nature is and always will be spiritual to me and on every day that the weather permits I will spend at least one hour outdoors.
Commitment- Over the next six months I will track my progress by journaling my days. I do like to look back at journals from years past and see the progression. I will also be able to feel my progress and I actually already have. I am calmer and my mind is not constantly chattering anymore. In six months I will re read Dacher to allow reconnect of the material to remind myself of the principles for integral health. Long term may change but I think remaining in the moment and practicing well all around health will benefit me to an old age.
References
Dacher, E. (2006). Integral Health The Path The Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications.