Unit 9 Final Project

It is important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, physically, and spiritually because it is important for a professional to know who they are inside and outside.  Many professionals think they know who they really are, but in the long run they realize they do not.  It is the same thing for people who are not professionals; we are always trying to figure out who we are on the inside and who we are on the outside.  It is a tough journey, but many of us have to go through it.  If a health and wellness professional knows who they are then it might be easier for them to treat the patient as a whole. 

            It is important for the professional to develop psychologically because they need to have compassion for the patient, and understanding of where the patient is coming from.  They have to be emotionally stable, to show the patient they understand what it means to have many mixed emotions.  A professional has to have the knowledge of knowing the different psychological signs that a patient is going through.  They need to have the experience of knowing the different psychological signs so that way the professional knows how and when to address the issue.  Sometimes you cannot address the issue straight on, so it is important to pick the right point, and so that way experience is necessary for a health and wellness professional. 

            It is also important to grow spiritually so they understand their purpose in this life.  A health and wellness professional needs to be spiritually bound so they can teach others to find their journey in life.  Also, they need to teach others how others in their life should be treated, how they should treat themselves.  Growing spiritually is a difficult task, and professionals have probably used up a lot of their time trying to figure out who they are spiritually.  I think it takes a while or even one’s self-journey to figure that out.  You cannot teach someone to be spiritual; you can only show them the right path for them to go.  I think that a professional cannot show you where to look in a book, rather show you how they found their spiritual path.  There are many patients who have a different spiritual path then our own, so it is important for them to have an open mind and allow different opinions to flow through.  It is important for one not to be judgmental of another’s opinion on what spirituality means. Spirituality can affect one’s health.  “Medical studies have confirmed that spirituality can have a profound effect on mental states. In a study of men who were hospitalized, nearly half rated religion as helpful in coping with their illness. A second study showed that the more religious patients were, the more quickly they recovered from some disorders. A third study revealed that high levels of hope and optimism, key factors in fighting depression, were found among those who strictly practiced their religion” (Kids Health, 2012).

            A health and wellness professional needs to be developed physically to show their patients that it is important to stay healthy in their life.  It is important for a professional to show their patient that eating healthy and exercising is very important as developing the mind.  They have to understand that physically, emotionally, and spiritually go hand in hand, and so it is important for the professional to be healthy.  They have to show their patients the right track on eating healthy foods, and staying away from bad behaviors that will eventually make them lose their way of life. 

            Being developed physically, spiritually, and psychologically will make a physician a well-rounded individual.  They need to show that it is important for all three aspects to be one for the body to feel whole. All three of these aspects cannot be developed overnight; each one will take a while, but in the end you will feel whole and the professional will able to teach what they taught themselves.

            For myself, I think I need to develop all three of these aspects.  I have not found myself spiritually, physically, or psychologically yet.  I still have much room for improvement, and I think my journey through life will help me develop each one of these aspects.  I used the scale 1-10 to rate my psychological, physical, and spiritual journey. 

            My rate for physical well-being is about a 5.  There is a lot of stuff that I need to fix about my physical body.  First off, I need to eat a lot healthier and I need to relax a lot more.  Stress is affecting my body more now than ever before.  At least now I have been implementing more of a physical activity routine.  Hopefully, I can stick to it and not give up.  My goal is work out about 2 times per week, and then increase the days and time.  I do not want to go head first into it, because then I might give up.  I find it better to start it slowly, and then work my way up.  I have joined a gym in my area, but I think during the summer I would like the use the outdoor area for more physical exercise.  I could take long walks on the beach and get my exercise that way, instead of being indoors.

            My spiritual well-being is about a 5.  I am still trying to be in touch with my 'spiritual' surroundings.  I have been trying to relate my spirituality to Mother Nature, and what she has to offer me.  I rated it a 5 because I am still learning the process of being one with my surroundings.  It is a hard process to learn, but it is fun.  I was never a spiritual person, but lately I think I need to be more in touch with it.  One of my goals for this summer is to enjoy the outside more, and to go to other states and enjoy the nature that it has to offer.  I have not gone camping in a while, so I think that it would be a good idea to get some family and friends and enjoy camping.  There are so many places in my area that I can camp at, and I want to be able to take advantage of it.  Many people do not have that advantage, like I do.

            I will rate my psychological well-being as maybe a 4.5.  I have been going through a lot of rough times lately, and I have finally able to deal with a lot of past issues that have been coming up.  These issues have been affecting me for so long that I thought it is time to start dealing with them and moving on.  Instead of being a victim, I rather be a survivor.  To be a survivor you need to overcome past issues that are constantly affecting your life.  Talking to other people who have experienced the same thing that I have might make it easier for me to overcome some of the obstacles in my life that I am dealing with.  I find it might be easier to locate a support group to get some advice to deal with the current issues. 

            In order to implement my physical goal, I have two different strategies that might work for me.  My first strategy is to work out a plan with my endocrinologist.  I have been having problems with my thyroid, so I have been gaining weight.  I have started a plan with my doctor to see what medicines are best for me to go back to my normal weight.  Right now, I am not at the weight I am supposed to be and it is hurting me physically and mentally.  We are going to implement a plan on seeing what natural and conventional methods will help me get back to my original weight.  I do not want to rely on medicine, but for now I have to and hopefully in the future I can just rely on natural products to keep my thyroid in check.  Also, I think I should find a work out buddy.  Finding a work out buddy could keep me in check and not let me give up on losing weight.   I think finding someone to work out with can help me stick to my goals and not give up.

            Psychologically, I am seeking out a therapist so I can stop thinking negative thoughts about myself, and help me get through past issues that I have been holding onto for a very long time.  Seeking a therapist will help me achieve my other goals because I will be more focused and more determined to fight for what I want to fight for.  Meditation will also help me through this process as well.  I want to do at least 10 minutes of meditation per night so I can have a sound sleep.  I also want to find some meditation CDs that I might like; especially sound of nature.

            Spiritually, I think I will work this one out with my sister in law.  She is in tune with mother earth and her surroundings, and I think I will take one day out of the week to meet with her and work on my spiritual side.  She follows mother earth and what mother earth can bring her.  She listens to her surroundings and she believes in what energy flows through her.  I think this is very interesting, so I would like to be part of it, so I can grow spiritually. 

            I decided to use Dacher’s Preparation method to prepare me for a future growth in each of these aspects: spiritual, psychological, and physical.  I followed Dacher’s Preparation to get me started in this new experience that I will encounter in finding who I truly am.  Dacher uses loving-kindness, skillful action, and silence and stillness to allow someone to flow to their new self and new beginnings (Dacher, 2006).  Dacher (2006) states: “At first, we need to have faith that will motivate us to rechannel our energy from the exclusive pursuit of outer health and healing to a holistic and evolutionary integral approach.  We accomplish this by reminding ourselves again and again about the unique and precious opportunities of human life, especially our life” (p. 50). 

            I will begin this new journey by using the concept loving-kindness.  I will be recognizing that others have feelings; just like me.  I will be sensitive to other’s needs, as they are to mine.  I will be patient with others, as I learn to be patient with myself.  I will be open to the differences that surround me.  Dacher (2006) states: “The mind drives our outer actions so the mind is where we must being” (p. 51).  I must start out in my mind for my body and mind to become one.  If I start out psychologically and spiritually, then I will be able to fix my physical well-being to.  Dacher (2006) states in his skillful action section that “what is learned can be changed” (p. 53).  I fear that I have learned too many negative thing; such as thinking negative about myself and treating my body in a negative way, by eating unhealthy and unnatural things.  I fear that I cannot change my past, and learn a new beginning. 

            In the next six months I will make a promise to myself to change the unhealthy feeling and unhealthy behaviors that I have.  I will promise myself through notes that I will be able to conquer anything that I put my mind too.  I will also realize that change is hard to do, but if I put my mind to it I can accomplish anything that I want to do.  I will not let fear take over my mind and body, and I will not let fear force me to give up on becoming someone that I have always wanted to become.   I will drive away any type of fear that I have through my spiritual and psychological growth.  Once I have established those goals, I will work on my physical well-being.  I need to tell myself that I can do anything, and that I can accomplish this task. 

I will use my family and friends to guide me through this new process that I will be starting.  I always try to start this new journey, but then I give up.  I will seek out someone who will motivate me to meet all my demands and help me fight all my fears.  I will start out by using a therapist to help me fight the past feelings that I once had, and I will use my therapist to allow me to fight for what I want in the future.  Many of us will become therapists in the future, but many of us do not realize that maybe we should seek out some sort of therapy now to help with our new beginnings.  It took me a long time to realize that maybe I need to talk to someone about my feelings.  I sought this person out, and I can say that I have begun my new journey.

 Reference

Kids Health (2012). Retrieved on May 19, 2012, from how can spirituality affect your family’s          health: http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/spirituality.html  
Dacher, E. (2006). Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing Laguna Beach, CA: Basic   Health Publication