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.