Unit 9 Project

I. Introduction

            Why is it important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually, and physically? What areas do you need to develop to achieve the goals you have for yourself?

            People place a great deal of their confidence in medical professionals. We tend to believe that they already practice what they preach. It is important for the health and wellness professional to develop psychologically, physically and spiritually so that they can actually lead by being an example for their patients.

            It is said that it takes small steps to achieve integral health but if you practice it with intent then you will gradually become successful in the domains of the mind, body and soul. Areas that I need to develop on a consistent basis to obtain my goals would be physically and psychologically. You cannot work on one of these areas without working on them all because all three are interconnected. For example, if something caused a disturbance in the mind eventually the physical body becomes affected. As a result of the unbalance, the entire body is thrown off and ailments begin to form. I need to work on controlling my thoughts, being comfortable with saying the word, ‘no’ and leaving the past in the past. Physically I need to work on being more active and controlling my sugar intake. I would really like to lose fifteen pounds.

II. Assessment

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

            My health in each domain is fairly good. Each domain however can be improved in order to keep balanced. The assessment on my spirituality comes pretty easy. I have committed my life to Christ for over ten years. I have learned to find time early in the mornings to pray and still my mind before I begin my day. I regularly participate in my church home where I am in fellowship with other believers. I have found peace and joy from living a life that includes spirituality. In this area I score myself a nine. Physically I can stand to lose an additional ten pounds to be at the BMI recommended for someone my height and weight. Because I have had cancer and suffer on occasion arthritis pain it has been recommended that I exercise several times a week. My eating habits aren’t the greatest but I have improved in certain areas. For instance, raw fruit and vegetables have been taking the place of potato chips and candy. Physically I score myself a six. And last, psychologically I would score myself a six here also. It is hard to admit that one doesn’t have it all together mentally but I recognize this is an area that needs improvement. My family is presently going through an issue that has caused division, memories from my past relationship are hindering any success at a future relationship with a man and I often fill like I have to be the responsible adult out of all of my siblings. Learning to say the word, ‘no’ to them would definitely help me.

III. Goal development

            List at least one goal that I have for each area, physically, psychologically and spiritually. Maintaining my prayer habit and extending it to others is an area that I would like to reach goal wise. Physically I plan to stay more active by exercising at home and in the gym at least three times a week and mentally I plan to communicate my feelings instead of letting the negative emotions build up and I become agitated or ready to explode.

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.

Exercising up to three days a week is a strategy focusing on strength training, flexibility and cardio health. I will walk up to two miles on one of the days; do light weight lifting and stretching on another day and some sort of aerobic activity on yet another day. These are examples of how I plan to foster growth in the area of physical health. A practice that I can use to implement psychological health is by meditating, praying and journaling. Being able to reprogram my thought pattern is vital for my mental health. By performing the following practices I can express myself, I can still and also quiet myself away from the mind chatter that seems endless. A way that I will implement spiritual growth is by continuing to practice prayer. I would also like to take up Tai Chi for mental cleansing as well as increasing flexibility and coordination.

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?

On the days that I perform physical fitness I will jot down on the kitchen calendar the activity done, the length of time performed and follow those comments with a big star. When I look on the calendar and see the consistent number of days that I work out this will give me a push to add on one extra day of exercising or walking for 60 minutes instead of 45 minutes. I will also invite a friend to be my partner so that I have someone to keep me accountable for getting the physical fitness done.

It will be a big challenge for me to stay on track psychologically with everything that is going on in my life right now. Prayer will be the tool of choice on the days that I lack progress. In order to stay on track for the next 6 months, I will have to surround myself with people that provide encouragement. When I find my attitude is being guided by my emotions I will contact a friend that I can release those emotions freely. And assessing my progress spiritually is already a work consistently performed. I have a circle of friends that reach out to me if I am not present in my church or they notice that my character has changed. I believe that as long as I follow the plan as close as possible I will achieve my goals to obtain integral health.