Unit 9 final 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?

Integral health involves reaching the highest potential in health and wellness. This does not necessarily mean an absence of disease. Instead it involves reaching whole health and happiness. Whole health and happiness involves developing psychologically, spiritually, and physically (Dacher, 2006). Additionally, developing these aspects involve a thorough introspective path toward achieving a deeper, more understanding of the inner self and inner healing capabilities.

Dacher (2006) believes each of us, at birth, are given these capabilities but are all too often preoccupied, too busy, or too quick to seek the fast and easy way to alleviate suffering to realize our highest potential. Reaching our highest potential of healing involves patience, work, and dedication to ourselves in mind, body, and spirit. In American society, it is easy to see how this is not the common mindset as our current health care system is focused only on the biological and disease-fighting model. Dacher (2006) discusses how the time is now to begin this inner journey because the paradigm shift is happening. In order for health professionals to be of benefit to others and to guide others in their own healing, they must first begin to heal themselves. Health professionals must bring into “practice a more comprehensive and meaningful approach to health and healing,” (Dacher, 2006).

To achieve my personal and professional goals, I must continue to develop all aspects of my life; mind, body, spirit, worldly. Because integral health involves all these areas, I cannot leave one out because they are all interconnected and cannot be separated. In order to reach my ultimate goal of human flourishing I must allow myself to be guided by the five principles of integral healing; holistic, evolutionary, intentional, person-centered, and dynamic (Dacher, 2006).

Integral health involves a transformation process with each level building on the other. The psychospiritual domain involves developing past the sensorimotor level and reaching higher consciousness through the witnessing mind to the calm-abiding mind, and finally arriving at unity consciousness (Dacher, 2006). To reach my biological goals understanding how my body works anatomically and physiologically evolves into making the mind/body connection and yet further into a “vast and inclusive existence” of the spiritual/body connection (Dacher, 2006). Promoting growth in the interpersonal aspect of my life encompasses shifting from “I to you to us to all of us,” (Dacher, 2006). Everything I want for myself I need to give to others. This understanding of how I am connected to everyone begins with understanding my own survival leading to creative expression towards others (Dacher, 2006). When this level is achieved, I can begin my journey toward a deeper meaning and purposeful fulfillment, and finally arrive at a place where I can be of service to the world around me (Dacher, 2006).

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

Dacher (2006) recommends using the six principles of integral assessment to be the guide to integral health:

1.      We achieve integral health to alleviate suffering. We ask ourselves what causes us distress and where can best grow?

2.      We must understand the difference between short- and long-term reliefs and choose the appropriate remedy at the right time. This involves understanding our needs and the source of the distress.

3.      We must understand the difference between instant gratification and long-term prosperity. Distinguishing between inner and outer fulfillment aids in the finding of true integral health.

4.      Our psychospiritual development requires our intentional awareness.

5.      Our self-assessment relies on the ability to listen from a higher consciousness. It equally relies on a teacher to help guide us through the process.

6.      Our assessment is as dynamic and evolutionary as our lives and must be reviewed as our lives and present circumstances change.

Spiritually, I score my current wellness at a 6. My distress level is low as I believe I am on the right path and it is not something needing to be rushed. I admit before this class I was not active in my spiritual development. I have read a lot and am strong in my beliefs but lacked in actual practice. My intent is to be more active in my meditation practices. This intentional awareness involves me taking the time each day to practice the subtle mind and loving-kindness. These practices will enable me to reduce “mental chatter”, love myself more deeply, and send that love and kindness to others.

I rate myself a 5 physically. This is a lower rating than I originally gave myself a few weeks ago. Delving deeper into the biological aspect of my health, I realized there are more ways I can be intentionally active in my physical health. I am confident I am doing what is appropriate for me at this time in the fitness realm. However, when it comes to nutrition, Dacher (2006) recommends being “mindful and intentional” in diet and food choices reflecting “a concern for environmental sustainability, world poverty, and animal suffering.” Keeping this in mind, I believe I would benefit from dedicating more time, attention, and intention to this area.

The psychological aspect is where I believe I am strongest and I score myself at an 8. This aspect has received more attention than other areas for many years. In order to maintain and foster further development, I must continue practicing the techniques of keeping a healthy mind. At the same time, I must continue to challenge myself in learning new things that contribute positively to my life. This challenge also involves sharing what I have learned with others.

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

My first goal for my physical development is to gain control over my diet by determining how much food I am really eating and explore ways I can make better choices in amounts consumed.

I have two immediate goals for my psychological development. The first simply is continuing my educational journey as I have 5 more classes to finish before I graduate. School is my career at this present time and my intentions are to be the best student I can be while learning everything given to me during this process. At the same time, there are other techniques I would like to add to my health and wellness tool bag. I want to become more knowledgeable in aromatherapy, mindful meditation, and Ayurveda.

My goal for my spiritual development overlaps with the above mentioned goal of learning more about mindfulness and mindful meditation. I intend to continue my current meditation practices. Furthermore, another aspect of this goal is finding a mentor to assist me with this journey.

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.

In the physical domain, my intentions are to continue learning and putting into practice mindful eating. Mindful eating is being aware of the “positive and nurturing opportunities available through food preparation and consumption by respecting your own inner wisdom”, choosing nourishing yet tastefully pleasing foods, learning to be aware of judgments toward foods, and becoming aware of the cues related to “physical hunger and satiety,”  (Center for Mindful Eating, 2006), Moreover, people who eat mindfully are aware of the effects caused by unmindful eating and begin reflection and awareness of how to achieve specific health goals through eating. I believe this practice will teach me how to be aware of how much I am eating, when I am hungry, and when I am full. Additionally, making sure I am eating proper serving sizes will further my goal of proper nutrition.

My fitness strategy involves continuing my current workout and exercise schedule. I weight lift 4 days a week with each day working a different major muscle group. I practice yoga every day ranging from 15 to 60 minutes. I use my elliptical 2-3 days a week and I try to walk at least 2 miles a day, depending on the weather. As the weather becomes warmer, I will spend more time walking.

The strategies I have in furthering my psychological development are to continue practicing intentional positive behaviors. Although I do not work at this time, I still love having a schedule. Keeping a flexible schedule allows me to prepare the ground for my integral health. My activities should be done in loving-kindness, skillful action, and silence and stillness (Dacher, 2006). For example, some of my current activities include exercising, practicing yoga, meditation, schoolwork, making jewelry, and keeping a visual journal. Another strategy I intend to pursue is to be more active in blogging after this class is over. I am not sure of the details yet but I want it to combine what I am learning and practicing and at the same time relating it to the name; Philosophy of a Beach Bum.

            I am very excited about my intentions for furthering my spiritual development. I located a Shambhala center in Chicago, about 2 hours from my home, and plan on visiting to see if this is something I can integrate into my life. There is a half day program next month geared toward beginners or those who want to stabilize their meditation practice. I will continue my yoga and meditation practices as these continue to further my deeper consciousness and awareness.

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?

We must assess ourselves regularly to assure we are gaining health in the areas we want to experience growth. Dacher (2006) uses biographs and a dynamic graph as examples of tools Ken Wilber recommends to track progress. In the past I have used a wellness wheel as a means of guidance and assessment toward growth (Wright State University, 2003). There are many versions of wellness wheels and they can be as simple or as intricate as desired.  I would like to create a wellness wheel incorporating all the aspects of integral health. The questions included in the wellness wheel will be able to track progress or show the lack of if there has been no growth.

Another useful strategy includes setting specific goals when doing an integral assessment. Because there are so many aspects involved in achieving integral health keeping a journal would be beneficial. Keeping track of what we do on a daily basis, how we feel, and what stressors happen, etc., can contribute to our awareness of our strengths and areas we need to seek improvement.

Dacher (2006) discusses how the path for integral health is a unique one centered on our own uniqueness. The tools we use on this path may change as we go along because our issues and situations change. We need to open and flexible in everything we do, learn, and practice. “The only constant is the need for psychospiritual development,” (Dacher, 2006).

References

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

Center for Mindful Eating. (n.d.). The Principles of mindful eating. Retrieved March 2, 2011        from: http://www.tcme.org/principles.htm

Shambhala Meditation Center of Chicago. Retrieved March 4, 2011from:   http://www.chicago.shambhala.org/.

Wright State University. (2003). Wellness Wheel. Wellness & Recreation @ WSU. Promoting       and Supporting a Healthy Lifestyle. Retrieved March 4, 2011 from:    http://www.wright.edu/admin/wellness/wellnesswheel.htm