Then and now....

After looking back several weeks at my assessments, I can see some differences between then and now, although the differences are not that significant.  Six weeks ago when I did a self assessment, I assessed my physical well-being as a 7, and today I give myself an 8.  I think that I have paid more attention to my physical goals since I began this course, and am working harder to bring down my BMI and limit my "overindulgence" when I go out.  My spiritual rating was a 4 several weeks ago, and today I feel that I am at a 5.  This is not as big of a difference as I would like it to be, but it is a step in the right direction.  I am trying to spend a few minutes every day focusing on my spirituality, whether it be saying prayers, doing my readings, or just being aware.  This is more of an effort than I gave to my spirituality at the beginning of this term.  As I have said before, I have always been a spiritual person, however, I let life get the best of me sometimes, and let my active practice fall to the side.  Finally, at the beginning of this term I assessed my psychological health at a 7; today I rated it as an 8.  Again, this may not seem like a significant difference, but it is a step in the right direction.  I think that the meditation exercises and focus on mental health have really helped me.  As long as I am making progress, I am satisfied.  That is really all that I can hope for....progress.  It has taken me a long time to form the habits that I have, so the fact that I can move forward, even one point in each of these areas, is positive. 

I feel like I will be better able to assist others after taking this course because I understand better what integral health entails.  I also have a better understanding of the fact that in order to help others I need to lead by example.  This will not only help me to better serve others, but it will help guide me in my own health and wellness.  Thank you all for sharing this journey with me...I am a work in progress, and will continue to work to move forward in my life....

The journey's end...

 

            Health and wellness professionals have a big responsibility to their clients.  It is so important for the professional to develop psychologically, spiritually, and physically.  This is so they can understand the client and set a good example.  Who would want a health and wellness coach that didn’t practice what they preached?  In order to have success with clients, and even have the respect of clients, the health and wellness professional needs to be sound, or at least working on, all of these areas.  This is integral health. 

            Personally, I feel like I need to develop more spiritually.  Currently, I will score myself a 5 on a scale of 1-10 in my spiritual practice.  I have always been a spiritual person, but have let my active practice fall to the side lately.  Psychologically, I will score myself an 8.  I really do not let myself get stressed out, and I try to resolve problems as they arise.  However, I am human, and I do occasionally let myself get worked up over something, and it really is a terrible feeling.  I get upset with myself for letting myself get upset.  Physically, I will also rate myself an 8.  I make a point to do the minimum requirements for physical activity.  I do at least 5 days/week of vigorous physical activity for 30 minutes.  I walk my dog a total of about an hour each day.  I walk to the store at least once every day, which is a total of about a mile.  I play golf about two times/week, and often walk with my clubs.  Where I lack, is that I still like to indulge.  My husband and I are very social because he is a business owner.  We attend many dinners and happy hours, and I probably eat and drink too much at times.

            It is important to develop goals to work towards in each of these areas.  Goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely.  Spiritually, I will set a goal to take ten minutes in the morning, and ten minutes before bed to say my prayers, say “thank you” for my blessings and reflect on the day.  I think that this is a realistic goal for me to start my spiritual practice again.  I will also read my daily reflections every morning when I wake up.

  Psychologically, I am going to attend counseling again.  I had done this off and on for years, and have always found that it really helped me.  Of course, when I started to feel “better”, I would let my therapy go, and I would eventually revert back to bad behaviors.  I think that therapy can be beneficial to just about everybody.  It always helps to get a different perspective and to have a place to vent and not feel judged.  My goal is to resume therapy sessions twice a month.  I will also resume my readings.  I have several books that are very helpful for my mental health.  It’s just another one of those practices that I let slip away.  I will set another goal to read at least a paragraph or two every night before bed. 

            Physically, my goal is to lower my BMI (body mass index).  I am just over in the “overweight” range, and I am not happy with that.  I think that my level of physical activity is good, however, I do think that I overindulge when I go out each week, which has put me into this category.  My goal is to give myself some limits when I am out.  I will let my husband and friends know, so that I will be held accountable.  I will limit the number of drinks that I allow myself, and split meals or only order healthy options.

It is important to assess progress, or lack thereof, in order to maintain practices for health and wellness.  I believe that this course has helped to gain self-awareness, and realize the areas in my life that need work, and gave me the tools to implement them.  What works for me is keeping a journal.  I have always been big on writing and journaling, and have a closet full of them, dating back to when I was a teenager.  That being said, this is another practice that has fallen to the side for me lately.  I will put my journal by my bed, and make sure that I make at least one entry every day.  I will write down my goals, and track them to make sure that I am fulfilling and maintaining my long-term practices for health and wellness.