Unit 9 Project

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Integral Health Plan

Introduction:

            Integral health incorporates mind, body, and spirit.  All components of an individual must be balanced for one to be truly healthy.  As a health professional, to understand and be able to teach mind, body and spirit health I must be able to practice it myself.  First I must be an example of health for a client to believe that I authentically know what I’m speaking of.  I must experience mind, body, and  spirit health to know what the journey is that lies before someone else attempting to follow this course.  Personally I want to develop more in the act of service, which would be the world aspect of development.  I am also in need of developing better mental and physical fitness. 

Assessment:

            This class has been instrumental in my progress, therefore I will say I am a step above where I started when we did our first blog rating our mental, physical and spiritual fitness.  I tend to be hard on myself, because most of the time I acknowledge what I need to do.  Taking constant action is where I fall short at times.  My physical well being is average.  I rate myself a 7.  I am approximately 5 pounds overweight.  I am virtually physically well according to my blood work.  However, my body could be more fit by incorporating more physical exercise.  Spiritually I am grounded.  I rate myself a 7.  I know my values and beliefs, however I would like to pursue more meditation and activities that bring me peace.  Psychologically I am very sound, but I would like to expand my mind and its capacity.  I rate myself a 9.

Goal Development:

Physical: 

My goal is to eat to nourish my body and not so much to suit my comfort cravings.  In addition my goal is to get at least 3 days of cardiovascular exercise per week. 

Psychological: 

My goal is to do mindfulness meditation to expand my consciousness and continue to study and learn as much as I can regarding integral health. 

Spiritual: 

My goal is to dance, walk, meditate, participate in community service, and activities that make me feel one with the universe.  I want to evolve to be the healer within.

Practices for Person health:

Physical:

1.     Spend at least 30 minutes a week doing cardio exercise.  Options are: take a class, ride a bicycle, go for a jog.

2.     Every morning stretch for 10 minutes as soon as I wake up.  This will prevent my back from being so stiff.

3.     Lower my sugar intake.

These can all be accomplished by just doing them.

Psychological:

1.     Practice the loving-kindness meditation.

2.     Practice the subtle mind meditation.

Set aside time in the evening 10 to 20 minutes 5 days per week to meditate to develop mental fitness.

Spiritual:

1.     Visit a meditation center such as Shambhala.

2.     Take walks on a regular basis to feel one with nature.

3.     Pray for guidance.

4.     Do some type of community service at least once a month.

Taking walks is something I can do any time living in Southern California where the weather is usually great.  Walking and appreciating my surroundings especially at the beach is very spiritual for me.  I can walk to the beach in 10 minutes, therefore I just have to put my shoes on and go a few times a week.  I am going to make a date with myself to visit this meditation center as well as a few others I’ve been think of for some time.  Prayer is something that I can do anytime anywhere.  All I need is to remember that prayer is always available.  I signed up for community service on January 19, 2013 to start this off.  I will look up different organizations that I am interested in and spread my time accordingly.

Commitment:

            The paper will serve as a contract with myself to incorporate these things as I have stated starting today.  Just as looking back at the first blog post and comparing it with today, I will look at this contract and compare my progress in 3 months.  At that time I can gage whether I need to try something different or whether I am moving along as intended.  In 6 months I will assess myself again.  Carrying this contract with me and posting it on the refrigerator will remind me of what I need to do.  I will read it over at least once a month to make sure I am on track.  This way I am accountable to myself.  Sometimes telling a confident your intentions and asking them to check in with you is also helpful in being accountable for the actions we are supposed to take.