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?
In order for health and wellness professionals to gain the respect and confidence of their patients they, themselves have to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically. As a patient; they want to know that the professionals they are building a relationships with are experienced enough to understand who they are, what they have been through, what they are going through and how you will help them get through it without imposition. As healthcare professionals, we have an obligation to ourselves first, than our patients, to consistently increase our knowledge coupled with our experiences in order to provide the best healthcare services possible.
Personal experiences help us with wisdom, guidance and courage. However, we must be conscientious not to force our own life experiences on our patients to a point where it may affect their healing ability. We must “learn to listen and listen to learn” what our patients are telling us about themselves so that they know that they are involved in the healing process from beginning to end.
Dacher states, A practitioner who listens deeply to an individual knows that the person will in time reveal to you and to themselves the deeper sources of their distress and the specific type of healing that is needed. We do not need to invent something new, we merely need to remember the wisdom of the past and update it for our time. (Dacher, 2006)
As I continue to develop in these areas, I feel that I need to gain more experience psychologically and spiritually. In these areas, I feel that my growth is contingent upon time and understanding of my own self and believing that the outcome would be mental and spiritual endurance. In order for me to be successful, I must start with my own understanding in how they work in my life and how I can cultivate each one of them and not be hesitant about the outcome. I need to learn how to be more confident and embrace the growth and knowledge that I gain so that I can be courageous in deliverance. My focus is to be understanding of what I endure so that I become strong in what I do and my inner strength displays as my outer confidence.
II. Assessment:
How have you assessed your health in each domain? How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically?
I consider myself to be strong in many of these areas. But, I am always a work in progress, striving to excel in excellence, it is attainable and I will achieve it in time.
Spiritually I rate myself at a level 8 because I am a spiritual individual. I know that there is a higher source that I can confide in that would lead me and guide me to do what is right. But, I need to believe and lean more on my own understanding in my relationship with this divine power so that my strength increases and I maximize my growth inside and out.
Psychologically, I rate myself a 6. Why, because my mind is so powerful and it has control over me. While I believe that I am a realist, at times my thoughts lead me to believe that I am pessimistic. I conjure thoughts that are not realistic and allow these false thoughts to manifest into my own reflection.
In order for me to get stronger in this area, I need to engage in mental training. In doing this I can adapt the processes of contemplative practice. Understand my inner thoughts and control them so that they do not become my actions or responses. I would like to mediate and pray more, I feel that this would be a great starting point for me.
Physically, I rate myself a 9 because I have insisted and acted on this being essential in my life. I have completed committed myself to a healthy lifestyle change and being physically active is a large part of that. Because exercise is a huge part of my life; I am not willing to allow anything to interfere with that. It is a relief to a more challenging part of my life and it reduces a great deal of stress which helps me be more centered and focused on great health. I plan to only go up in this area of my life, and increase my endurance, self-esteem, energy and overall health.
III. Goal Development
Physical – I would like to increase my agility and strength in this area. At times I am a whirlwind but then there are times that I struggle through my regimen because of fear that I cannot do what’s set before me. I have learned to consume positive thoughts and energy into my existence. I begin with the end in mind and know that it’s a benefit not a liability.
Psychological – I would like to engage in mental training. I would like this area of my life to be as intense as my physical area. In order to do this, I would like to engage in meditation, allowing myself to release energy from my body through breathing, calmness and reflection. Focus on where I am and where I would like to be. Exert positive energy flow throughout my body and allow focus and stillness to be in my life for this allotted time. This is the time I would utilize to reflect the patience and time I have for myself and my own self-improvement.
Spiritual – I would like to engage in prayer more in my life, at least twice a day of private conversation with a higher source. In doing this, I would release what’s inside to a higher source so that he can guide me and lead me to higher ground. In accomplishing this I will do the following; Thank him for what he has done and continue to do, Ask for forgiveness for the things that I have not done to his liking, and ask for what I need in order to become a better person.
IV. Practices for Personal Health
Physical- Exercise is the best remedy to foster in this area of my life. Exercise enables me to increase my strength, endurance, agility and health. At this time I engage in physical exercise 4 days a week:
· 2-1 Hour Personal training sessions 2x a week + 2 additional days of strength training
· 2-45 Minute Spinning classes 2x a week + 1 2-hour spin class 1x a month
· 2-1 Hour Kick boxing/circuit training classes 2x a week
Physical exercise is essential to my health and well-being and I will continue to promote it as part of my lifestyle change.
Psychological – Time management and focusing is my prescription for this area of development in my life. The two exercises that I would like to foster would be Meditation and Yoga.
While they are similar, I find that they can be utilized in different capacities. I want to make time to even participate in retreats that offer these types of programs to beginners. The best way for me to engage in this type of exercise is to learn correctly through programs that force you to take time to engage in the activity itself. This way there is no outside interference and my ability to focus my energy is not tampered with.
Spiritual – Prayer to me is a huge part of spiritual practices for me but I need to get back to where I once was in this aspect of my life. I believe that this is the one opportunity that I can speak and be heard without conviction. I believe that a higher source is involved and wants to engage in this conversation with me. He only knows what I want, need and feel through our conversation. His words are “Ask anything in my name and it shall be received, John 14:14”. This is how I believe my inner growth will succeed. I will implement this twice a day in my life, once in the morning and once in the evening; sort of a check in process to let myself know that your thoughts are important and this time is all for you.
Nature walks- Are another good regimen that I would like to foster because it brings freshness and variety to my life. When I am outside I have the opportunity to breathe fresh air and enjoy beautiful scenery. Sometimes this atmosphere alone can offer peace and calmness without distraction. When you have the opportunity to look at your surroundings you focus on calmness and positive energy is absorbed into your space, it can be a moment of gratification.
Taking a slow observant walk and creating a visual journal is a great way to implement this routine into my life and contribute to my inner energy as well.
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?
My commitment is to continue growth and development in all of these areas so that I strengthen myself. In doing this I believe that I will attain higher levels of overall health and wellness for myself. I believe that creating this will enable me to help others foster these elements into their own lives.
My focus is to show them better than I can tell them and this thus far has worked for me. My strategy is to show and tell. Encourage people that everything is attainable and that believing in yourself first is all the success you need. I want to empower, encourage and embrace myself so that others will follow my lead voluntarily.
“Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm”
Winston Churchill
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