Final Project

       Nicole C Booker

                                                         Final Project

                                              HW420-Creating Wellness

 

 

      I.            Introduction:

This class has been one of the classes that I will take with me forever.  I know that I have gained so much knowledge while going to college and studying life.  It wasn’t until this class that I really got that chance to study who I am on all levels of my being.  I think it is very important for professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically because in order to lead people into a better lifestyle, you have to be walking that same path.  It will not work for the benefit of the patient or the professional.  The importance and integrity behind integral health and natural medicine is that the patient is learning to work towards wellness and healthy living and part of that learning is by mirroring what their doctor does and recommends. The areas that I need to develop for my future goals are a mixture of all the triad of wellness although some need to be addressed more than others.  On a psychological level, I need to be able to get my anxiety disorder more stabilized and master the tools to be able to fully help others to the extent that I know I am capable.  Physically, I am strong in regards to knowing the tools, adopting healthy eating habits and physical activity most all days of the week but still have some physical issues that minimize my full potential.  This is a continued work in progress but never giving up.  Last but surely never least, my spirituality.  This is among the strongest part of who I am and my personal connection with my personal Lord and Savior.  The spiritual connection that I have toward the earth itself and nature brings a sense of wellness and sense of bigger purpose.

 

 

 

    II.        Assessment:

There are many ways throughout my life where I have taken stock in where I was at the current time.  The other class that I am taking concurrently this term with this class is about coping with stress and recognizing stress in your life.  This class was also a blessing for me and went hand in hand.  The class had assignments that we had to do weekly that assessed different facets of our makeup and I learned so much about who I am.  The spirituality was scored high, physically it has room for improvement and part of that is my own self-image and more positive thought processes in regards to my physical abilities. Psychologically speaking, my personality seems to be more dominant with the Type R personality.

 

 

 

 

 

   III.        Goal development:

 Physical goal that I would like to achieve consists of short term and long term goals.  I have found it more successful if I set up smaller milestones and celebrate the small successes instead of being deterred by the time it will take to achieve the long term goal.  My short term goal is to be able to increase my cardio intensity by a quarter within the next month.  Cardio fitness is consistent in my workout routine but I tend to not push myself to build up endurance and would rather spend time strength training.  That will not help with my second goal of losing 10% body fat since it is well known that cardio burns fat and strength training builds muscle.  I know this but still really have issues with cardio endurance.  My idea is to continue with Zumba classes and other classes that creates a different environment then running on a treadmill but still allows me to achieve optimum cardiovascular exercise.

Psychological goal that I am working on would be on my anxiety and over reactive behavior.  I would like to get a better handle on understanding my bipolar disorder and different techniques to make it easier on myself and my family.

Spiritually my goal is to get more God focused and not worldly focused.  The rush of life can engulf me and I find myself eliminating my personal time with God.  This is something that I have struggled with then go a long time able to just bask in the love and appreciation of God and then a whirlwind called life blindsides time and pretty soon my meditation time is out the window for 30 minutes more sleep. My goal is to make sure to set aside time like I always do but make a solid commitment to do this.  

 

 

  IV.        .Practices for personal health:

Physically I can foster balance in this area of my life by making a solid commitment to an hour a day, five days a week to just cardiovascular exercise.  I have found that step class, zumba, and the elliptical can keep my interest but have decided to break up my cardio into different exercises if I want to.  Changing it up really keeps the body from getting use to the same routine as well as keep me interested.

My solid commitment to my psychological wellbeing is to be nicer and easier on myself.  This release of pressure will allow me the freedom to explore and embrace without regret or confusion.  It is important for me to recognize this especially with the anxiety and doubt that I carry.  This foundation needs to be stronger before I can assist others with their fears.  Journaling and writing seem to be the most positive release of emotion that I have found.  This is another practice I have begun to use again to help with both my psychological and spiritual wellbeing.

 

Commitment:

My plan to assess my progress in the next six months will be to go through my journaling of nutrition, mental thought processes and fitness log to see the progress I have made.  I have always found journaling your course in life to be the most beneficial and cleansing thing.  I think my first journal was in fifth grade maybe fourth and from that moment on I have owned a journal. Some memories and years have been lost in the shuffle of life, probably being read by some stranger.  Then there are others that I have had for decades and can pull them out and see where I was and where I am.  Sometimes bittersweet but mostly sweet. The strategies that are helpful is to already have it in your mind set that there is no giving up, there is times where it will slow down but never stop moving toward that goal.  Keeping my circle of peers and mentors positive parts of my life and not toxic or unhealthy in behavior or attitude.