- Complete the Meeting Aesclepius mp3 (located in the Doc Sharing area). Describe your meditative practices for the week and discuss the experience. Explain how mindfulness or meditation has fostered an increase in your psychological or spiritual wellness. How can you continue to apply these practices in your life to foster greater health and wellness?
Well, I have to say that so far, this exercise was by far the worst for me. I started by imagining my grandmother, who has been a constant source of wisdom, unconditional love, support, and friendship to me. That wasn't so difficult. But again, my mind kept wandering and I just couldn't get into it. I'm usually very open and receptive to these exercises but every time I attempted to do it I would get really annoyed. It could be because I haven't had a quiet moment in this house yet this week. My husband has been off of work and as wonderful and amazing and awesome as he is, the man can't sit down and relax. This means he's been a busy body, cleaning around me, turning on the t.v. every time I turn it off, talking on the phone, clanking dishes around, and constantly interrupting me to ask various questions. I adore him being home, but I really miss my quiet time. Aside from the aggravations during this particular exercise, I can say the mindfulness meditations have definitely had an active role in encouraging me to be more spiritual and "present" in my actions and words as well as how I react to others actions and words. For example, instead of reacting or responding automatically, I feel like I am much more aware of the meaning of my words/actions and I am paying more attention to the meaning behind things my children are saying to me. This may or may not have anything to do with the mindfulness meditation exercises that I have been doing lately, but I believe that because I have been much more aware and sensitive to the meaning behind actions and words I have realized that my son is dealing with more than just teen moodiness and the usual hormone changes. He has been increasingly sensitive and easy to anger, crying fits for no apparent reason, he has been withdrawing himself and is not enjoying the things he once did, and he has isolated himself from his friends. We have come to the conclusion that my son is very possibly suffering from teenage depression. Once I was able to research this topic more, I felt confident that is what we have been dealing with. After a talk with my son about it, he actually seems more at ease knowing that he isn't crazy, but that he is dealing with something very real. I will know if my suspicions are correct when we see the doctor next week, but I am already preparing myself, my family, and my son and making changes to help him get through this. I want to continue on this road to wellness and I can only fully do that if my family takes this journey with me. I have been sharing what I've learned with my family and have been getting them involved as well. Of course they are a bit skeptical, but even the worst critics can be swayed! :)
- Describe the saying: "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself" (p.477). How does this apply to the health and wellness professional? Do you have an obligation to your clients to be developing your health psychologically, physically, and spiritually? Why or why not? How can you implement psychological and spiritual growth in your personal life?
This saying means that you can't really lead someone through the process of health and wellness without actually have gone through it yourself. I have never been an "obese" person, however, I have personally struggled with weight and I can understand the frustration of trying to lose weight an the effort it takes to make lifestyle changes in order for the weight to stay off and live a healthier life. I believe that anyone in the health and wellness field has an obligation to their clients to be a living example of healthy living. I don't think this means to be perfect, but I think this means to be well balanced in every aspect of their life. I can't counsel my clients to eat healthy, and make healthy choices if I go through a drive-thru everyday after work. Just as a personal trainer needs to work at keeping his or her body in shape and learning about the body and the benefits of being physically active, a nutritionist needs to work at continually educating themselves on the effects that food has on the body and practicing eating well. I also believe that being physically healthy can't fully be done without having a healthy social life, being happy, and actively pursuing an active relationship with God. If we want to have integral health we need to be healthy and happy in every aspect of our lives. I am still trying to obtain this so I am not going to claim to be "there" yet. But I think I am on the right path towards integral health. Although I do have a looong way to go. I don't think I will every fully reach perfect integral health, but I think the journey will continue to be amazing. :)
Jo
No comments:
Post a Comment