I have created this blog as part of my class called Creating Wellness, I was not expecting to be asked to do this but I am excited to have the opportunity to learn about blogging and learning more about my classmates. A little about me...
I am a Christian first and foremost, I struggle to be the person God wants me to be and I am a long ways from being perfect but I have confidence that God loves me and accepts me despite my many issues and imperfections. Having God in my life has given me balance, a safe haven from the traumas of life, peace, comfort, joy, a reason to fight for the important issues in my life. He is my rock and my strength, without Him I am nothing.
I am 47 years old and the mother of 2 wonderful children; Kenny, my oldest is 18 years old and graduates from High School in May of this year. Crystal my youngest is 15 years old and is in the 9th grade. I love them both and I am very proud of them.
I am in my second year at Kaplan and loving almost every minute of it.. I am working towards my BS in Psychology with an emphasis towards Applied Behavioral Analysis.
I chose to take this class because I was intrigued by the class and its approach towards healing with integral medicine. Being a psychology student I already have a basic understanding of whole health, believing that true health is not just a physical thing but also includes the mental aspect; which includes, emotional stability, social environmental, chemical, structural, and spiritual well being.
I am interested in using this class to learn how to heal myself and to find and create a wholeness within myself. Then to incorporate it into helping my children to find wholeness as well as interlacing it with what I am learning about psychology and behavior. With this combined knowledge and experience I hope to be able to reach out and help my future clients to find balance as I work with them regarding their behavioral issues, developmental and learning issues.
I am passionate about helping others because my daughter struggles with developmental delays, learning issues, and emotional problems as a result of contracting bacterial meningitis when she was 5 weeks old. During her first 3 years of life she was constantly on the brink of dying as she struggled with cysts in her brain. She is past most of the medical problems but struggles with being whole emotionally within herself. I want to be able to help her with what I learn and to extend myself out so that I can help other families and children as they struggle with similar emotional issues.
Hi Lisa, beautiful art work, I admire your talent.....WOW!!!!
I think its a good thing that you want to help other, its needed in our day and time especially with our failing healthcare system. Keep up the great work.
Your daughters are beautiful and please continue to share your beautiful artwork they themselves are relaxing to look at.
a. Why is it important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically? It is important for health and wellness professional to work towards their patient’s whole health and not just their physical health as has been the practice in Western society. In order for them to treat their patients as a whole, they first need to develop their own psychological and spiritual inner selves, as well as physical selves. This gives them a strong base from which to draw from. In the process of developing their own whole health, they will have proven that they understand what is necessary for their patients to achieve the same and that they have faith in whole health as well. It will give the practitioner a greater level credibility and compliance .Whole health gives the professional the strength and endurance to manage his or her own stress related to helping others who are not healthy whether it is mental, physical, or spiritual. b. What areas do you need to develop to achieve the goals you have for yourself? I need to develop all areas to achieve my goals; I believe the process of developing oneself is an ongoing process that lasts a life time. With that said, I believe that I need to develop my physical health the most and then my psychological and lastly my spiritual health.
II. Assessment:
a. How have you assessed your health in each domain? By using the integral assessment in chapter 11, I followed the six principles of integral assessment as I guided myself through a meditative process of reflecting inward into my mind so that I might evaluate my needs and strengths. My goal during the assessment was to discover which aspect of my life needed the most work. Which aspect is causing me the most stress and pain, and where do I have the most potential for growth and development. I did this with as much openness and unbiased influences as possible, looking into my spiritual and psychological self as well as addressing my physical needs and strengths.
b. How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically? On a scale from one to ten with one being the lowest. My physical well-being is around a 4 or 5. I am overweight and do not feel good most of the time, I suffer from headaches and stress. My spiritual well-being is still difficult for me to assess as I have trouble distinguishing it separately from my religious ideas of spirituality. I would still rate myself at a 7 because I am happy for the most part with the world around me, I can accept others for their strengths and weaknesses, but at the same time I am getting better at standing up for myself and not backing down when I believe I am right. I am still working on feeling that I belong, that I am accepted by others and in trusting others with my inner self. Socially I am better at taking care of other people than I am myself, I prefer to see the best in a person and when I have to deal with a problem with another person I always try to validate what I value in them as well as trying to work with them towards a mutual agreement. Psychological well-being; I again believe I rate around a 7 psychologically, I have issues I am working on, such as self- regulation, social anxiety, accepting myself and in believing others will accept me for who I am. With my successful progress at Kaplan I have more self-efficacy regarding my abilities and in my self-worth. With the above being stated I believe I need the most work in my psychological development and that with this development my physical health will improve. I suspect that most of my physical pain is due to my level of stress and lack of self –esteem. I also believe this is the area I am the most ready to develop within myself. III. Goal development: List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical, Psychological (mental health) and Spiritual. One of my physical goals is to increase my physical endurance and strength as well as to reduce my weight. For my psychological goal, I want to become more comfortable expressing my emotions to others, and in knowing when it is appropriate. As a goal for my spirituality, I am working towards becoming more attuned and receptive to my social world.
a. What strategies can you implement to foster growth in each of the following domains; Physical, Psychological, and Spiritual. My strategies will be to improve my physical health through exercise, eating right and in loving my body through meditation. To improve my psychological health I will continue to utilize my therapist who is helping me to understand myself better and to realize and accept that I am ok as a person, that I can trust others with my inner self. For my spiritual self, I will continue my relationship with God and in accepting his love and in allowing him to show me how to love others and to help them when they are in need, as well as allowing others to help me. b. Provide at least two examples of exercises or practices in each domain. Physical: 1. Using the exercise bike three times a week to increase my cardiovascular system and to lose weight. 2. Practice healthy eating habits. Psychological: 1. Meditation to relieve stress and to learn how to obtain a witnessing mind and a subtle calm mind. 2. Practice changing my negative thoughts and feelings to positive thoughts and feelings. c. Explain how you will implement each example. I will implement each example by setting up a schedule of times and durations for both my physical exercises and eating habits as well as the times I will devote to meditation and inner reflection. I will use the meditation as a time to discover my negative thoughts and feelings and as a way to change them. I will also intentionally remain vigilant to any stray negative thoughts during my day so that I may be aware of them and change them to positive realistic thoughts.
V. Commitment:
a. How will you assess your progress or lack of progress in the next six months? will reassess my progress through contemplative meditation and self-reflection, with the intent of evaluating my level of development and need as well as my readiness for a more focused effort in specific areas. I intend to do this when I meditate which will be on a regular daily basis. I will make a point of this being the main point of my meditation at least once a week. b. What strategies can you use to assist in maintaining your long-term practices for health and wellness? I can use my therapist as a means of gaining accountability for maintaining my schedule and in gaining success in my developmental process. By having a written schedule down and knowing what I want of myself and in keeping records of my progress and my needs. These will all help me to maintain my practices in health and wellness.
Lisa, this is truly beautiful ! I admire all of your talents, keep up the good work and love that you are sharing ! xo Lorie
ReplyDeleteLisa you are very talented! Thank you for sharing your paintings with us, and your blog is also very nice!
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa, beautiful art work, I admire your talent.....WOW!!!!
ReplyDeleteI think its a good thing that you want to help other, its needed in our day and time especially with our failing healthcare system. Keep up the great work.
Your daughters are beautiful and please continue to share your beautiful artwork they themselves are relaxing to look at.
Have a great day.
Lara
My Health and Wellness Plan
ReplyDeleteI. Introduction:
a. Why is it important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically?
It is important for health and wellness professional to work towards their patient’s whole health and not just their physical health as has been the practice in Western society. In order for them to treat their patients as a whole, they first need to develop their own psychological and spiritual inner selves, as well as physical selves. This gives them a strong base from which to draw from. In the process of developing their own whole health, they will have proven that they understand what is necessary for their patients to achieve the same and that they have faith in whole health as well. It will give the practitioner a greater level credibility and compliance .Whole health gives the professional the strength and endurance to manage his or her own stress related to helping others who are not healthy whether it is mental, physical, or spiritual.
b. What areas do you need to develop to achieve the goals you have for yourself?
I need to develop all areas to achieve my goals; I believe the process of developing oneself is an ongoing process that lasts a life time. With that said, I believe that I need to develop my physical health the most and then my psychological and lastly my spiritual health.
II. Assessment:
a. How have you assessed your health in each domain?
By using the integral assessment in chapter 11, I followed the six principles of integral assessment as I guided myself through a meditative process of reflecting inward into my mind so that I might evaluate my needs and strengths. My goal during the assessment was to discover which aspect of my life needed the most work. Which aspect is causing me the most stress and pain, and where do I have the most potential for growth and development. I did this with as much openness and unbiased influences as possible, looking into my spiritual and psychological self as well as addressing my physical needs and strengths.
PART II
ReplyDeleteb. How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically? On a scale from one to ten with one being the lowest.
My physical well-being is around a 4 or 5. I am overweight and do not feel good most of the time, I suffer from headaches and stress. My spiritual well-being is still difficult for me to assess as I have trouble distinguishing it separately from my religious ideas of spirituality. I would still rate myself at a 7 because I am happy for the most part with the world around me, I can accept others for their strengths and weaknesses, but at the same time I am getting better at standing up for myself and not backing down when I believe I am right.
I am still working on feeling that I belong, that I am accepted by others and in trusting others with my inner self. Socially I am better at taking care of other people than I am myself, I prefer to see the best in a person and when I have to deal with a problem with another person I always try to validate what I value in them as well as trying to work with them towards a mutual agreement.
Psychological well-being; I again believe I rate around a 7 psychologically, I have issues I am working on, such as self- regulation, social anxiety, accepting myself and in believing others will accept me for who I am. With my successful progress at Kaplan I have more self-efficacy regarding my abilities and in my self-worth.
With the above being stated I believe I need the most work in my psychological development and that with this development my physical health will improve. I suspect that most of my physical pain is due to my level of stress and lack of self –esteem. I also believe this is the area I am the most ready to develop within myself.
III. Goal development:
List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical, Psychological (mental health) and Spiritual.
One of my physical goals is to increase my physical endurance and strength as well as to reduce my weight. For my psychological goal, I want to become more comfortable expressing my emotions to others, and in knowing when it is appropriate. As a goal for my spirituality, I am working towards becoming more attuned and receptive to my social world.
PART III
ReplyDeleteIV. Practices for personal health:
a. What strategies can you implement to foster growth in each of the following domains; Physical, Psychological, and Spiritual.
My strategies will be to improve my physical health through exercise, eating right and in loving my body through meditation. To improve my psychological health I will continue to utilize my therapist who is helping me to understand myself better and to realize and accept that I am ok as a person, that I can trust others with my inner self. For my spiritual self, I will continue my relationship with God and in accepting his love and in allowing him to show me how to love others and to help them when they are in need, as well as allowing others to help me.
b. Provide at least two examples of exercises or practices in each domain.
Physical:
1. Using the exercise bike three times a week to increase my cardiovascular system and to lose weight.
2. Practice healthy eating habits.
Psychological:
1. Meditation to relieve stress and to learn how to obtain a witnessing mind and a subtle calm mind.
2. Practice changing my negative thoughts and feelings to positive thoughts and feelings.
c. Explain how you will implement each example.
I will implement each example by setting up a schedule of times and durations for both my physical exercises and eating habits as well as the times I will devote to meditation and inner reflection. I will use the meditation as a time to discover my negative thoughts and feelings and as a way to change them. I will also intentionally remain vigilant to any stray negative thoughts during my day so that I may be aware of them and change them to positive realistic thoughts.
V. Commitment:
a. How will you assess your progress or lack of progress in the next six months?
will reassess my progress through contemplative meditation and self-reflection, with the intent of evaluating my level of development and need as well as my readiness for a more focused effort in specific areas. I intend to do this when I meditate which will be on a regular daily basis. I will make a point of this being the main point of my meditation at least once a week.
b. What strategies can you use to assist in maintaining your long-term practices for health and wellness?
I can use my therapist as a means of gaining accountability for maintaining my schedule and in gaining success in my developmental process. By having a written schedule down and knowing what I want of myself and in keeping records of my progress and my needs. These will all help me to maintain my practices in health and wellness.