Hello friends,
I have truly enjoyed this class, so much so that I want to keep going. I'm kind of sad to see it end. I also believe that with every ending there is a beginning. I will keep a positive outlook on what is to come. I have been reflecting on the last ten weeks and have never once dreaded any part of this class or its readings or activities (unlike biostatistics).
In unit 3, I rated myself with a 7 for physical wellbeing, a 9 for spiritual, and an 8 for psychological wellbieng. I think this fluctuates so much, the joys of being human. I am an emotional creature. I run off emotions. I even amplify mine off others emotions. Today, I would rate myself as a 5 for physical wellbieng. Finals week put me into a tailspin of convenience foods and eating out more often than I should have. I am unsatisfied with that. I am working on it, I went to the grocery store and hardly bought any processed foods, Yay! Psychological wellbieng today is at a 9, today was a good day, I visited with my grandmother we went out and did some errands and just enjoyed each others company. Spiritually is still up there as well, I am grieving 4 deaths so maybe feeling questionable. I would rate it anywhere from a 5-9, depending on my mentality at the moment. I have a strong spiritual side so this will pass once I go through the process.
My goals are to get back on track with healthy eating, keeping up with my meditations and get through this grief. Good grief.
I hope to cross paths with you again my friends, best wishes to you all.
Jenifer
Since I stole my title from The Doors, I suppose I should cite it?
Morrison, J. (1967) The End. The Doors. Electra Records
Monday, August 15, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
Unit 9, final project
I. Introduction
It is vital for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically. When taking on a position of education or training, it is important to have a good base of knowledge to teach and practice. Psychologically a professional should be well balanced. At times when one may not be balanced it is an important skill to be able to compartmentalize personal and professional aspects of life. Spiritually one would serve best if confident in their own spirituality but be open to the choice of others. Physically one should be able to handle any physical labor (as in manual therapy or physical training). One should be healthy in the inside as well as the outside. Health and wellness professionals should be able to empathize at times with clients or patients to provide a new level of service. Keep in mind that the professional doesn’t have to experience an event or situation firsthand to fully understand how to help a person reach a goal. My personal area in need of development is physical. I have a hard time sticking to a routine as in exercise or meditation. I understand the benefits but time crunches happen and this is the first activity that gets cut.
II. Assessment
I am moderately confident in my personal health in each domain. Considering myself as 100% I would say that my spiritual domain makes up 45 %, my physical domain is 40% and my psychological domain is the remaining 15%. My psychological domain is so low currently because of grief. Within the last eight months, my family has suffered the loss of two uncles to poor health, one young cousin was murdered by a family friend, and my grandfather passed away last week due to complications from a Myocardial Infarct.
III. Goal development
Physical Goals are currently my focus. I feel the need to consume my time with positive activities and people.
1. I will commit to physical exercise 4 times a week
2. I am restarting my weight watchers program and will track all food intake.
Psychological goals are a desperate need.
1. I will attend family grief counseling sessions
Spiritual goals are important to me
1. Continue with daily meditations and visualizations
2. Manage focus to increase time and quality of meditations
IV. Practices for personal health
The strategies I can implement to foster growth in each domain will go hand in hand. These domains feed off each other, when one suffers the others have to work harder to create wholeness. I have current issues but I still consider myself whole. I am not fully balanced but I am compensating.
To fulfill my physical goals, I will commit to 2 days of yoga class, and 2 cardio sessions at the gym. I have committed to paying for weight watchers online and I will not waste money or time. I have to use the program. To attempt that psychological goal I will stay in contact with my family and involve myself in the grief sessions. The spiritual goals will be manageable by completing a daily meditation like the chakra openers and breathing exercises like the subtle mind as well as visualizations like meeting Aesclephius.
V. Commitment
I want to be the best person and professional I possibly can be. This is my commitment to me and to my family and my patients. The strategies I will use are the weight watchers tools (Weight Watchers, 2011); I am also committed to paying for a gym membership, so I have more options for physical fitness activities. I will monitor my food intake and modify behaviors as needed. My psychological wellbeing is in dire need to improve. This I believe will fall into place as I go through counseling and follow the other goals. They all are connected to each other and are key factors in creating a health and wellness program.
Reference:
Weight Watchers (2011) Your Plan. Retrieved from www.weightwatchers.com
Monday, August 1, 2011
Unit 8 Reflection
Hello Friends,
In reflection of all the exercises we have done this term, I am pleased to say I will use many of them throughout my life.
Loving Kindness
I had a personal block in this one in which I discovered a few things about myself and my relationship with others. I am not as open and trusting as I originally thought. I have been burned a few times and have built a few walls to protect myself. I consider myself a healer and feel I am good at what I do and the services I provide, but, I have limits. I can follow loving kindness with a few modifications I feel comfortable with.
Subtle Mind
I liked this exercise but I may not always choose this one regularly because it takes a great deal of attention to complete. Often I just don't have it to give. This seems contradictory, because the point of the exercise is to strengthen your awareness and focus on your breath and body. I want to succeed in my personal growth and sometimes the best fit is shorter and simpler for me
Visualization
I like the visualization exercises, especially the ones that involve chakra opening and fine tuning your senses. I will use these often
Meditation
I love the idea of creating a walking meditation pathway. this is going to be my next backyard improvement when the weather cools a little bit. I find short time slots to be still and meditate often throughout my week.
I am open to mostly all these exercises and will try to push myself to use them routinely. My mental fitness goals are ever changing. Things seem to always be ever changing and I just have to roll with it. I find that when I am rolling like a lugnut, is when I have to really dig deep and do something different to snap out of it.
In reflection of all the exercises we have done this term, I am pleased to say I will use many of them throughout my life.
Loving Kindness
I had a personal block in this one in which I discovered a few things about myself and my relationship with others. I am not as open and trusting as I originally thought. I have been burned a few times and have built a few walls to protect myself. I consider myself a healer and feel I am good at what I do and the services I provide, but, I have limits. I can follow loving kindness with a few modifications I feel comfortable with.
Subtle Mind
I liked this exercise but I may not always choose this one regularly because it takes a great deal of attention to complete. Often I just don't have it to give. This seems contradictory, because the point of the exercise is to strengthen your awareness and focus on your breath and body. I want to succeed in my personal growth and sometimes the best fit is shorter and simpler for me
Visualization
I like the visualization exercises, especially the ones that involve chakra opening and fine tuning your senses. I will use these often
Meditation
I love the idea of creating a walking meditation pathway. this is going to be my next backyard improvement when the weather cools a little bit. I find short time slots to be still and meditate often throughout my week.
I am open to mostly all these exercises and will try to push myself to use them routinely. My mental fitness goals are ever changing. Things seem to always be ever changing and I just have to roll with it. I find that when I am rolling like a lugnut, is when I have to really dig deep and do something different to snap out of it.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Unit 7 Meeting Aesclepius
Hello Everyone,
I did the meeting Aesclepius track at a time when I really needed to. I was dealing with an in-law that wanted to keep up an argument that was repeated from years ago. Listening to the track averted my feelings to something loving and positive for my soul. During this exercise, I met someone whom this body never knew, but my soul was so happy to see. It was a truly wonderful experience. This helped me to let go of my hearts angst and relieved my soul for the evening. I slept soundly, and woke up energized. To me this is worth doing when I can recognize the need.
In our book, Lawrence E. George (2005) wrote about Ken Wilbur's work reflecting on the statement "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself" I believe this means to teach concepts of health and wellness it is important to know what you are talking about. To be educated in the field by means of experience, not just personal but observed is equally important. As an Occupational therapy assistant, I teach a pre- procedural spine class. I have not had spine surgery, but I am confident in my teachings because I have studied at length the best ways to move the body without exacerbating issues of the spine, either from watching and learning from my patients, discovering how to move myself when in pain relating to the procedure and learning from the surgeons and staff as well as education I completed on the subject. I do not believe you have to endure a certain health issue to be good at educating, but to have good strong knowledge of the subject and openness to differences in patients. Empathy is also a helping factor in educating patients about health and wellness. I do believe as a practitioner of health and wellness it is important to be obligated to know most if not all aspects of your specialty. As I go through this class, I am learning the benefits of meditation and personal mindfulness. I feel I am growing up and getting what life has to offer, as well as learning the special gifts that I have to offer for someone else's life.
Schlitz et al, (2005)Consciousness & Healing, Integral Approaches to Mind-Body Medicine. Elsivier Inc.
I did the meeting Aesclepius track at a time when I really needed to. I was dealing with an in-law that wanted to keep up an argument that was repeated from years ago. Listening to the track averted my feelings to something loving and positive for my soul. During this exercise, I met someone whom this body never knew, but my soul was so happy to see. It was a truly wonderful experience. This helped me to let go of my hearts angst and relieved my soul for the evening. I slept soundly, and woke up energized. To me this is worth doing when I can recognize the need.
In our book, Lawrence E. George (2005) wrote about Ken Wilbur's work reflecting on the statement "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself" I believe this means to teach concepts of health and wellness it is important to know what you are talking about. To be educated in the field by means of experience, not just personal but observed is equally important. As an Occupational therapy assistant, I teach a pre- procedural spine class. I have not had spine surgery, but I am confident in my teachings because I have studied at length the best ways to move the body without exacerbating issues of the spine, either from watching and learning from my patients, discovering how to move myself when in pain relating to the procedure and learning from the surgeons and staff as well as education I completed on the subject. I do not believe you have to endure a certain health issue to be good at educating, but to have good strong knowledge of the subject and openness to differences in patients. Empathy is also a helping factor in educating patients about health and wellness. I do believe as a practitioner of health and wellness it is important to be obligated to know most if not all aspects of your specialty. As I go through this class, I am learning the benefits of meditation and personal mindfulness. I feel I am growing up and getting what life has to offer, as well as learning the special gifts that I have to offer for someone else's life.
Schlitz et al, (2005)Consciousness & Healing, Integral Approaches to Mind-Body Medicine. Elsivier Inc.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Unit 6 The exercises and assessment
Hello everyone,
The universal loving kindness exercise was a bit easier for me to follow than the previous exercise where we were told to breathe in strangers pain. This exercise is very pertinent in my current career and I think it can turn my defiance against the other exercise around to something I can actually work with and succeed in.
The aspect of my life that throbbed out to me is both biological and interpersonal. Interpersonal because my family has lost 3 members within the last six months. My Grandmother means the world to me and she just lost both her oldest and youngest sons to cancer. My 24 year old cousin was shot down in a jealous rage from his bandmate. The whole family is grieving and all at different levels of sadness, anger and frustration. It is a stressful time, some of the family look to me for support and their sounding board, in which I can do, but need to learn how to release it. When a friend vents it is not always personal. When family vents, it usually is about other family members and that makes it personal, leading me to hold on to my feelings as well as theirs. I have added biological because aspects are suffering due to the large issues I am feeling with the family. People have been visiting, so there are a lot of restaurants, ice cream shops and wine... ohhh the wine. My body is beginning to tell me to back off, which is exactly what I need to do. Specific exercises that I need to do are to continue with this universal loving kindness meditation maybe put focus on my family and drop a little love for myself especially in the area of gaining momentum for getting back on track of healthy eating and exercise.
The universal loving kindness exercise was a bit easier for me to follow than the previous exercise where we were told to breathe in strangers pain. This exercise is very pertinent in my current career and I think it can turn my defiance against the other exercise around to something I can actually work with and succeed in.
The aspect of my life that throbbed out to me is both biological and interpersonal. Interpersonal because my family has lost 3 members within the last six months. My Grandmother means the world to me and she just lost both her oldest and youngest sons to cancer. My 24 year old cousin was shot down in a jealous rage from his bandmate. The whole family is grieving and all at different levels of sadness, anger and frustration. It is a stressful time, some of the family look to me for support and their sounding board, in which I can do, but need to learn how to release it. When a friend vents it is not always personal. When family vents, it usually is about other family members and that makes it personal, leading me to hold on to my feelings as well as theirs. I have added biological because aspects are suffering due to the large issues I am feeling with the family. People have been visiting, so there are a lot of restaurants, ice cream shops and wine... ohhh the wine. My body is beginning to tell me to back off, which is exactly what I need to do. Specific exercises that I need to do are to continue with this universal loving kindness meditation maybe put focus on my family and drop a little love for myself especially in the area of gaining momentum for getting back on track of healthy eating and exercise.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Unit 5 Mental fitness
Hello,
As some of you may know, I was very hung up on aspects of loving kindness. For the most part I was able to follow along with it until the idea of opening up to strangers. I had to redefine who strangers are to me. Initially I felt that a stranger is anyone I hadn't met. Are classmates strangers, no I've met you on the discussion boards and in the introductions. Are patients strangers, no, I've researched their histories and have also had introductions. So who is a stranger? To me a stranger is the random person I share space with in public. I can share. I can be open to new ideas, but I have modified my personal practice to something I can live with and flourish with.
The subtle mind exercises are the opportunity to bring awareness to your breath and body connection. The only trouble I had was the random thoughts that I usually like to run with. Specifically during the instruction to take 10 deep breaths, I lost count and my focus went to the sound of the water and the distant flute, but wait, It was familiar. It reminded me of the movie The Titanic and the instrumental song of My Heart Will Go On by Celene Dion. By then I was out in left field with no idea of my mind body connection. This is an exercise of focus. I need to work on it. I have never been diagnosed with attention deficit, but know it is present in myself and in my kids. My family has ingrained in me that ADD meds are not part of our health routine and I have raised my children this way as well, with focus on dietary needs and mind calming activities at opportune times. These exercises take that concept one step further. It is more structured, and when instructed it may be easier to follow completely without distraction once the mind has gained strength. It is something that once I feel I have developed a skill for, I will teach my sons.
When mental and physical wellness are being addressed, It will open doors for greater understanding and connection with the spiritual aspects of your life. Perhaps having little to do with religion but greater awareness of the universal life force, ones soul, or the ethereal being.
As some of you may know, I was very hung up on aspects of loving kindness. For the most part I was able to follow along with it until the idea of opening up to strangers. I had to redefine who strangers are to me. Initially I felt that a stranger is anyone I hadn't met. Are classmates strangers, no I've met you on the discussion boards and in the introductions. Are patients strangers, no, I've researched their histories and have also had introductions. So who is a stranger? To me a stranger is the random person I share space with in public. I can share. I can be open to new ideas, but I have modified my personal practice to something I can live with and flourish with.
The subtle mind exercises are the opportunity to bring awareness to your breath and body connection. The only trouble I had was the random thoughts that I usually like to run with. Specifically during the instruction to take 10 deep breaths, I lost count and my focus went to the sound of the water and the distant flute, but wait, It was familiar. It reminded me of the movie The Titanic and the instrumental song of My Heart Will Go On by Celene Dion. By then I was out in left field with no idea of my mind body connection. This is an exercise of focus. I need to work on it. I have never been diagnosed with attention deficit, but know it is present in myself and in my kids. My family has ingrained in me that ADD meds are not part of our health routine and I have raised my children this way as well, with focus on dietary needs and mind calming activities at opportune times. These exercises take that concept one step further. It is more structured, and when instructed it may be easier to follow completely without distraction once the mind has gained strength. It is something that once I feel I have developed a skill for, I will teach my sons.
When mental and physical wellness are being addressed, It will open doors for greater understanding and connection with the spiritual aspects of your life. Perhaps having little to do with religion but greater awareness of the universal life force, ones soul, or the ethereal being.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Unit 4 Loving kindness
As I listened to the loving kindness track, I thought I could follow along, It is a meditation bringing awareness to a loved one. I had a moment where I was able to remember happy times of my son's younger days. A time where I held him in my arms and fed him a bottle, the way he looked at me with his big blue eyes. I remembered our bond. Something I had missed for a while (He is currently 18)(18 is far more challenging than terrible 2's). For this recollection, I would recommend the exercise. Moving on to breathing in his suffering, and exhaling love and health. This concept is new to me. Because it is my son that I thought of, because he is part of me, it was no chore. Some family members that I love, but could not fathom breathing in their suffering, I wouldn't even share a drink with most of them. Taking in peoples pain, suffering and who knows what is out of my comfort zone. I am a manual therapist, and I do grounding exercises prior to treatments to avoid taking in peoples issues. I am very sensitive to touch and have experienced a few undesirable side effects by taking on too much of someones suffering or pain in the form ranging from mild with cold then hot sweats to extreme like explosive diarrhea. At work! To think of inhaling ones pain and letting it dissolve in my heart is scary, what if there is no outlet, how does it dissolve. I have come to terms with the idea that I just don't want to take in anyone else's pain that hasn't already been inside of my body. Maybe I will open the door to those that I share DNA with, but I think, so far, I am drawing the line there.
Thinking of the line of enemies. I thought the line would be short, until a few people did begin to show up. I then began to think why are we enemies then on to the idea of forgiveness. Had I given myself the chance to forgive them, why or why not? Then there is the idea of forgiving myself for any wrong doing to them. This I will have to continue to work on. This meditation, loving kindness is an interesting concept, and it is one that I know I shouldn't be closed off to. What if this practice took place of my current grounding system. What if learning to visualize their pain actually dissolve served the same purpose? Maybe someday I will brave it and try. To me this post is all about a mental workout. Exhausting yet satisfying. Energy generating and focused.
Thinking of the line of enemies. I thought the line would be short, until a few people did begin to show up. I then began to think why are we enemies then on to the idea of forgiveness. Had I given myself the chance to forgive them, why or why not? Then there is the idea of forgiving myself for any wrong doing to them. This I will have to continue to work on. This meditation, loving kindness is an interesting concept, and it is one that I know I shouldn't be closed off to. What if this practice took place of my current grounding system. What if learning to visualize their pain actually dissolve served the same purpose? Maybe someday I will brave it and try. To me this post is all about a mental workout. Exhausting yet satisfying. Energy generating and focused.
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