Unit 9: Final Project: My Integral Plan

Introduction

Health and wellness professionals should be well rounded in all areas of integral health in order to have a legit practice because we have all heard or read stories about those faith healers that in the end only sell you snake oil.  A true health and wellness practitioner strongly believes in the holistic approach and he or she incorporates the five guiding principles of integral health into their practice, bringing the mind-body-spirit together as one working unit on the path to wholeness and human flourishing (Dacher, 2006).  It is important for the practitioner to understand that as medicine changes they have to adapt to new findings.  The practitioner must be integrative in breaking down the components of integral development while working on the psycho-spiritual, biological, interpersonal and worldly aspects of healing with their patients.  The practitioner must be intentional in guiding and supporting his/her patients on the path to human flouring and comprehend that his/her patients has the right to choose their path to healing themselves in their own unique ways.  Lastly, the practitioner must be dynamic in listening long and hard to his/her patients because it is the patient who will ultimately tell the practitioner what the problems really are and how to solve them (Dacher, 2006).   

It is reasonable to say that I need to develop in all aspects of healing to reach my goal of achieving human flourish.  My mind, body and spirit are in the right place and I am at peace with myself.  My psycho-spiritual growth is the most under developed part of my well being.  I believe in a higher spirit, but I don’t always practice my religion and I do not care to have others push their religion on me.  I would like to develop a stronger spiritual nature and feel the inner peace that comes with meeting my religious needs.  I practice loving-kindness in my heart by giving and not taking, but there is always room to give a little more.  Biologically, I need to continue to work on my mind/body connectivity in order to achieve a healthy balance.  Interpersonally, I often go out of my way to help others in a time of need by showing compassion in whatever way necessary.  This is something that has been etched in my DNA since I was a child and I have no plans of changing that.  Worldly, I would like to reach that place in my life where I can become a source of wisdom for my family, friends, community, and myself.

Assessment

My spiritual growth is my weakest link; I rarely practice my religious beliefs.  This is not because I don’t believe in a higher power because I do believe in a supreme being,  I just have my own way of expressing my faith.  I aim to regain that higher state of consciousness and experience a more direct spiritual side of life.  I feel that if I can bridge the gap from lower to higher consciousness I can show even more loving-kindness in my heart and be at peace within myself.  On a 1-10 rating scale, I would rate my spiritual health at an even five (5).  

Psychologically, my mind is in a really good place and I have very high self-esteem.  I have enjoyed accomplishing things I never thought I would achieve.  My education at Kaplan University has not been without its challenges, but I take learning seriously and do the best I can to achieve as much knowledge as possible.  I have a good support group around me that I can express my feelings with when times get rough and I’m thankful to have them by my side.  I also know when times get rough I can go for a run or engage in some type of exercise or meditation as an outlet to ease my mind.  I would rate my psychological health at an eight (7). 

Physically, I am in pretty good shape.  I often engage in some form of exercise five to six days a week and I participate in a training program with the local First Nations members twice a week.  I have a family history of high blood pressure and heart disease, so there is extra incentive to be in the best physical condition I can achieve.  However, I still need to work on the whole mind/body connectivity to achieve total health and well-being.  I would rate my physical health as an eight (8) because there is always room for improvement.

Goal Development

Spiritually - my goal is to practice my religious beliefs more to reach a higher stat of consciousness.

Psychologically – my goal is to continue to increase my meditation practices from four times a week to a daily practice. 

Physically – my goal is to continue to strive for better connectivity to cultivate better health and well-being. 

Practices for personal health

Having strategies is important for one to move forward with growth in your integral health.  It’s also good to have a backup plan if things start to go sideways on the path to health, happiness and wholeness. 

Psychologically, I have to become more aware and pay close attention to my inner voice and move forward with the things that make me happy mind, body and spirit.  I will achieve this by:  1. Listening to the subtle mind exercise is a good way for me to relieve some stress and stop letting things get the best of my inner consciousness (Dacher, 2006).   2. Eliminate negative thoughts and think more positive about the things and actions around me. 

Spiritually, I can begin by showing more love for others and myself by making it a daily practice to love unconditionally and I can also listening to the loving-kindness exercise to make me feel a better sense of connection to others (Dacher, 2006).  I will achieve this by:  1. Practice my religious beliefs to become more at peace with who I am.  2. Set time aside in my busy schedule for prayer and meditation. 

Physically, I need to develop a higher consciousness through contemplative practices that ease the mind-body-spirit.  I will achieve this by:  1. Deep breathing techniques are great for calming the mind and developing inner peace.  2. Tai Chi is a great technique for meditation and stress reduction. 

Commitment

Over the next six months I will revisit my goals I have set.  If I have accomplished all of my goals by this time, I will set new goals.  If I have fallen off the path of health, happiness and wholeness, I will start fresh.   I may begin taking a yoga classes since this is something I’ve been interested in and yoga is known to promote balance, relieve stress, and build strength.  I will also continue to use meditation as a form of stress relief, calmness and unity consciousness to promote harmony and balance in my life (Dacher, 2006).  I am not sure where I will be or what I’ll be doing in the future, but if it is related to health and wellness I will write it all down in my blog to keep track of the things I’ve attempted and accomplished.     

 

  

References

Dacher, E. (2006). Integral health. The path of human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.