Final Project Blog: My Plan

Here's my plan:

I. Introduction:

            I think it’s important for a health and wellness professional to develop their own self psychologically, spiritually, and physically.  It all roots back to the old saying, “practice what you preach”.  I find that when I get told what to do or what is best for me by a professional, it means more to me if they follow their own advice.  When a professional is well rounded in health, it also makes them well rounded in knowledge and in life in general.  Having integral health as a professional allows for great things.  It allows you to gain confidence in higher possibilities, makes you want to end suffering and create a better world, and it also allows for you to evolve and expand your life (Dacher, 2005).  When you have all these things in your life, it makes health and healing come alive for you, like medicine has a soul (Dacher, 2005).

II. Assessment:

            I think my overall health is decent.  Spiritually I would have to say I’m probably at like a 7.  I don’t belong to a church, or necessarily believe in the bible, but I see god and spirituality through things in my daily life and through nature.  Too me, that is enough. 

Physically I would have to say a 7 too.  I am in decent shape.  One reason I say a 7 is because I have a chronic disease, type 1 diabetes.  That kind of takes a toll on you no matter how on top of it you are.  I also say a 7 because I could be more active, which would lead to better health.

Psychologically, I rate myself at an 8.  I recently have been going through some things, but I am coming out a better and stronger person.  I have changed myself for the better, however there is always way more room for further improvements. 

III. Goal Development:

            Spiritually, I would like to set the goal of being more aware of other’s views on spiritual things.  I want to know how other people see spirituality.

            Physically, setting a goal for being more active would be wonderful.  I am usually so busy doing schoolwork and chasing my young son around all day that I don’t think about exercising.  Although we do go for walks, I would really like to start running more.

            Psychologically, my goal is to be more confident in myself.  I was always so shy and timid as a kid and in high school.  I don’t like the way that made me feel.  I have broken out of that a little, but I want to further that growth. 

IV. Practices for personal health:

            I would like to implement practices to make myself better and grow.  Spiritually, one practice I would like to do is just take walks in nature.  I think you can see some of the most beautiful, mysterious things in the outdoors.  Being outside also clears my head and allows me to become more focused.  The other practice I would like to take up spiritually is actually maybe checking out a few different churches.  Just because I may not believe in all the things that the denomination may, doesn’t mean that there are not good messages to be heard during the sermon.  I will implement this practice by just going to random churches on Sundays.

            Physically, my first practice would be to start running more.  I actually really like running when I get into the swing of it.  It’s just hard the first couple of times.  I’m going to implement this by actually setting aside time in the day for this, whether it’s outside, or on the treadmill.  Another practice I would like to start is just really hunkering down on managing my illness.  I’m pretty good at it, but I can always be better about documenting things.  I’ve wanted to get better about that for a while.  This practice will also be good for doctor’s visits.

            Psychologically I think practicing some of the exercises that we did in class might help me to be focused and just help to clear my mind.  I usually have a lot going on in my thoughts, so giving my mind a break during the day would be well received.  I would like to incorporate the loving kindness exercise and the visionary exercise.  I think they both have good lessons in them that one should be reminded of frequently.

V. Commitment:

            I’m thinking that if I write in a journal either daily or weekly about the things that I have done, regarding my practices, that will be a good way to measure my progress or lack there of.  I also think by re-reading this plan, I will also be able to assess the changes that have taken place.  Being dedicated to reaching my goals and beginning new practices I’m sure will help as well.  When you are committed to something, you generally want to see things through.  Also, setting goals for myself just makes me want to achieve them and see the results. 

Reference

Dacher, E. S. (2005). Integral health, The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.