End of Course Reflection

Hey Everyone,

I had previously scored myself as between 7-9 and really not much has changed as of yet. I am getting more comfortable in working again and taking care of my child. Basically the only time I have to make my score better is spent on homework for here so I haven't progressed in any of my goals or activites.



I really enjoyed this course and have had a positive experience. I think I have improved my well-being by simply having a better understanding of health, which has been most rewarding to me because it not only improves my ability to help myself but to help others as well. The only thing that has been difficult is participating in blog. I actually like blogging but it takes a lot of time to do an exercise that I dont have to spare.



All in all I have enjoyed this class and my colleagues.



Thanks everyone
-Ariel

Unit 9 Project

Introduction:

            I believe it is very important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically. It can allow them to offer a more expansive treatment having become healthier themselves. According to Dacher, when professionals develop these aspects of themselves, they “will come to know that the alleviation of suffering and the ascent to human flourishing are more than ideas.” These professionals will than want to end needless suffering to the best of their ability and therefore, “the soul of medicine returns.”   The most important area of my life I need to develop to achieve certain goals for reaching integral health is developing a daily spiritual routine. I think the more I balance this into my life the happier and more whole I will become.

Assessment:

There are several ways in which one can successfully assess an individual’s need for psychological, spiritual and physical improvement. According to Dacher, a mini meditation exercise “can be quite powerful in expanding your mind and heart…it can serve as an antidote.” An assessment process can also be completed by asking a series of questions (Dacher 2006). Five questions which may focus on healing and promoting integral development are:

1. “What aspect of my life-psychospiritual, biological, interpersonal, or worldly- is the source of difficulty and suffering?”

2. “What line of development is most essential for me at this time?”

3. “What is my current level of development and what can I aim for.”

4. “What area of my life is ready for growth and development?”

5. “What would the next level of development look like?”

I would rate myself between 7-9. I need to improve my spirituality and physical body after giving birth. I still have a lot to develop both to their fullest potential.

Goal development:

List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical, Psychological (mental health) and Spiritual.

1.     Physical – Running 30min every other day. Lifting weights on the days I don’t run

2.     Psychological – Draw to express my emotions

3.     Spiritual – Study my books and become active in activites, crafts, and events including a daily mediation

Practices for personal health:

 One example that implements physical and spiritual is yoga. If I practiced this once a day every day I would grow in both. Another is meditation to calm my psyche.

Commitment:

The best way to assess my progress, or lack of progress in the next six months, I will need to evaluate my routines on a regular basis. One strategy that I can use to accomplish this task is to keep weekly notes on my levels. If certain levels appear to be lower than others, I can implement new processes which foster further growth in the areas that fell behind.  After a few months of monitoring these levels of progress, I’m confident that I will be able to notice a balance between my psychological, spiritual and physical health. Staying on top of this process can asssist in maintaining my long-term practices for health and wellness.

Reference:

Dacher, E. S. (2006). Integral health the path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc. 

Unit 3 Blog: Rainbows and Stuff

Whats up Everyone,

Well, after giving birth I would rate my physical well being at a 7. I am very healthy, lost 20 of my 25 pounds I had gained in pregnancy, but I am unable to participate in active exercise. I am even limited to the amount of walking I can do until my 6 weeks are up to allow for optimal healing. I feel once I can start my original routine I can bring myself back up to a 10, which is a must for my military career. My spiritual well being is a little more slacking than my physical and I would rate it at a 4. I have lots of knowledge in my head but I don’t actually get the chance to “live what I preach” and I find that a real flaw I am working on. I am a Wiccan and as my spiritual goal is to continue to be active with the local coven I've manage to be included into. This will help me more actively live what I preach. My psychological well being however is at an optimal prime and I rate it at a 10. I have so much love and kindness in my home that it allows for great communication and awareness that allows for the ease of stress and any negativity. I haven’t even had the slightest inclination of postpartum depression and even with my baby girl being colicky, having breastfeeding setbacks, and my tiredness I am stable, supportive and don’t find myself getting frustrated and wanting to have a mini break down. So, consecutively, exercises I can do in each of these areas are to exercise, participate in a group community gathering that benefits the environment, and to journal my emotional experiences.

This exercise was absolutely amazing. I tried to do this once by reading the exercise out of a book and recording myself and I was not able to full relax into it as I was this time. Also after having a terrible dream this morning I feel accomplished, spiritually, to reset my “rainbow” or my chakras (life energy), which is what this exercise was about. I feel replenished and am definitely keeping this one! 

-Ariel

Unit 2: Sleeping Grins and Stars

Hey guys,

I just completed this journey on relaxation activity. My poor Scarlett has been up since 6pm and it’s now 11:30pm and she is only 2 weeks old! Her tummy was upset so she would eat, dirty a diaper and then want to eat again in a vicious cycle so she was fighting her sleep hard core and would stay in her light sleep mode (eyes fluttering and the sleeping grins). So once bathed, fed again, diaper clean she was just lying there wide awake not sleeping. So I laid her beside me and played the recording. While I focused on moving the blood flow I notice her relax as well and then finally go into a deep sleep and to be honest I dosed as well. I feel like I’m not sure what happened at the end of the recording. This exercise was very beneficial and I wish I didn’t have to move her to type this up! Oh well, time for this mommy to rest while she is too! Goodnight everyone. I really enjoyed this ^_^

-Ariel

Unit 1: New Beginings

Hello All,

My name is Ariel Thompson and I live in Indianapolis, IN. I have never blogged before but I figured i'd post my introduction on here. I have huge goals. I am hoping to achieve my bachelors in health and wellness. While I do that I will leave for the military and receive more credits for a healthcare specialist. Once I finish all that I plan on going for my Ph.D. in physical therapy. I have had a few set backs but I am hoping to jump in with a renewed focus, for the second time. I have just given birth to a beautiful girl on 9/9 after laboring for 4 days (my bag had torn for 2 days and when we found out I was leaking officially they began helping to get me into active labor and that took 2 more days). I am only taking one class this term while being on maternity leave and I hope that I excel. I really do look forward to this term.

Best Wishes to Everyone,

-Ariel