Final Project

I.              Introduction:

One’s level of each aspect of human development: psychological, spiritual and physical, is dependent on the others to make a whole, well rounded person. Each area is important to total wellness because they are all part of each other. As Wilber wrote in Consciousness & Healing,

 “Body and mind and spirit are operating in self and culture and nature, and thus health and healing, sickness and wholeness are all bound up in a multidimensional tapestry that cannot be cut into without loss” (Schlitz p. xxxi). 

As a health and wellness professional it is important to develop these aspects of one’s self because teaching clients and patients about the benefits of integral health is easier and more realistic having experienced the results first hand. In my own journey as a health care professional I need to further develop my psychospiritual area; focusing on spiritual practices, mind training, and coping skills (Dacher, 2006).

II. & III. Assessment & Goal Development:

Six weeks ago I rated my physical wellbeing at 8. Currently I would keep the same rating because still I’m in good physical shape. For the first time I am putting a very demanding strain on my body: I’m pregnant. This adds challenges and new obstacles to being physically well but I feel I have a strong foundation in this area. I set a goal to run more, even when the weather isn’t nice but I haven’t been able to follow through on that goal. A goal I did achieve is to start yoga again. I am really enjoying the physical and mental benefits. The goal I am working toward now in my physical wellbeing is to have a healthy pregnancy. This includes my diet, exercising, the development of the baby, weight gain, and successful labor and delivery.

Six weeks ago I rated my spiritual wellbeing at 6. Day I rate this area at an 8. I don’t know if it’s this class, or bring pregnant, or the holidays; I’ve been able to find some peace that I’ve never quite had before. It’s a peace that I’ve felt moments of but I’ve never had a sustained feeling of calm in my soul like I do now. My goal in this area was to find peace; even if the peace is intermittent. I’ve achieved that goal. Mindfulness meditation has been very powerful. The goal I am working toward now in my spiritual wellbeing is to continue my meditation practices beyond this class and into the New Year.

Six weeks ago I rated my psychological wellbeing at 7; today I rate this area at 9. My goal in this area was to maintain my objectivity of my life and be kind to myself as I follow the journey of my life. I have been able to achieve that goal by journaling. It’s given me a better perspective and viewpoint to look at myself. The goal I am working toward now in my psychological wellbeing is both maintain my current level of health in this area as well as share and teach the success I’ve had with my loved ones.  

IV.          Practices for personal health:

For my physical wellbeing I plan to continue to do yoga as a weekly practice. I just started a new part time job at the hospital which is close enough to my house to walk which I do each time I work. Lastly, because I’m pregnant and concerned about my husband and I both maintaining a healthy weight we have made a commitment to exercise at our gym together at least twice a week.

For my psychological health I plan to implement a technology-free day once a week to relieve myself from feeling burdened by the need to always be online, checking texts or Facebook. The down time will give me time to relax and reflect on my immediate surrounding world. I have also added saying positive affirmations as part of my routine for psychological wellbeing. I’ve posted various positive messages around my house (on my bathroom mirror, on my bedside table) that remind me about a wonderful part of myself.

For my spiritual health I am attending church for the first time in my life. It is a Unitarian Universalist Fellowship which is open to all ways of thinking and believing. A lot of the discussion during each week’s gathering surrounds how our lives are impacting the world around us and what we are doing to make the world a better place. I feel more connected to myself and my fellow man than ever before. I will also continue my mindfulness meditation.

V.           Commitment:

Just as I revised the ratings of my physical, spiritual and psychological wellbeing today from six weeks ago, I will revisit and revise those ratings moving forward. As with an exercise regime goals must be set, reevaluated, reset and worked towards. With physical wellbeing the results are easier to see by stepping on a scale, running a mile or even looking in a mirror. Spiritual and psychological wellbeing requires a different kind of mirror. They both require looking inside to evaluate the progress. I will use this paper and other assignments to look back at how I was feeling at different points in time. I will continue to journal as another record of my feelings. Using these records I will be able to chart how my wellbeing in changing, improving or declining.

References

Dacher, E. (2006). Integral Health: The Pathway to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.

Schlitz, M. (2005). Consciousness & Healing: Integral Approaches to Mind-Body Medicine. St. Louis: MS: Elsevier.