Unit 5

I enjoyed listening to  the subtle mind CD this week. I was able to focus on my breathing and still my mind. I could not believe that I could do this so easily, my mind wandered only a few times. I like to picture myself somewhere like the ocean, which keeps me from that "mental chatter". I plan on doing this during the day...if my mind starts driving me crazy with chatter I will focus on my breathing and not attach to anything.
I did not like the Loving Kindness CD as much, but I did not give it too many tries either. I found it difficult to take in others' suffering...it was just different, and I should try it a few more times.

In order to have physical and mental health, one needs to also have spiritual health. Spiritual wellbeing is what keeps a person grounded, and is important. I find that when I am not growing in spirit, I am not happy (mental health), and I also am not as motivated to exercise or take good care of myself. This is what we have been learning in this course, you cannot be fully well if you do not have all three things...spiritual, mental, and physical health. When I am physically fit, my mental health benefits...I usually workout when I am right with my spiritual health. A lot of people hear the word spiritual, and think it means religion...but it is what is inside of all of us, we all have the need to grow spiritually. It is different for everyone, but the need for spiritual wellbeing is universal.

Unit 4 Reflection

Loving Kindness Track:
I found this very hard to sit through. I could not picture everything that the woman was saying, and there was a long pause in between. The woman's voice was distracting me, and not at all taking me where she wanted. I have to try this a few more times, but right now I would not say it is one that I will use in the future. I found it easier to just sit by myself and think positive thoughts regarding people.
Mental workout:
Dacher says that you need about an hour a day to workout the mind. I find it hard enough to work out my body, much less the mind. But I know how important it is to keep the mind busy. If you don't use your muscles they get weak...the same goes for the mind. I plan on mentally working out by using meditation techniques like guided imagery, crossword puzzles, and other games that require me to think.
It will take practice, just like physical exercise. If I don't practice daily I will lose progress.

Unit 3 Reflection

1) Based on my reflections, I rate my Physical wellbeing as a 7 on a scale of 10 (10 being optimal). I am not as physically fit as I want to be, but am still active with my children. I rate my spiritual wellbeing a 6. This is because although I go to church on Sunday, I have not been very spiritually connected lately. I have faith but not enough, and would like to get more into the Bible and prayer. My rating for psychological wellbeing is an 8. I feel that I could do things to reduce stress and emotional turmoil, but overall I feel good because I handle life struggles well, and can adapt to change when necessary.

2) My goal for physical wellbeing is to be very fit and active. I want to be able to wake up in the morning and not feel groggy and tired. My goal for spiritual wellbeing is to be very connected with my faith, with God. I want to feel that my spirit is being fed daily, and that I will know the path I am supposed to be on. I cannot walk alone. My goal for psychological wellbeing is to be more positive (left-brain), and always be able to look at the glass as half full. I want to be as stress-free as possible, and happy.

3) For spiritual wellbeing, I can pray more and find quiet time. I want to look at the bible for inspiration and knowledge. I can keep going to church, and get connected with the people in it. I tend to just leave and not meet new people, and this doesn't help me spiritually. For psychological wellbeing, I can meditate, do yoga, use relaxation CDs, and go on walks to relieve stress. I can get more hobbies to prevent boredom and depression. For physical wellbeing, I plan on walking with my dog and kids, go swimming, go to parks, and go to the gym 3 times a week. I currently only go to the gym every 2 weeks, and this is not enough at all. I want to try new workouts to prevent boredom.
4) The relaxation exercise "The Crime of the Century" was very relaxing. I liked the different colors going to different areas of my body, and was actually able to feel what he said the colors meant. For example, Red means you feel grounded. Purple means you are feeling connected to the universe. I was very calm after this exercise, and had my daughter try it with me. She is only 9, so didn't quite stay still. But I like her to get into things with me, so she be interested later in life.

Journey On

I listened to a relaxation technique called Journey On...It was relaxing, and I could feel my hands getting warmer, but I could not get completely into it because of noises going on in the house. I need peace and quiet, so this will only work when I am alone with the bedroom door shut! I get distracted by any noises such as the air conditioning, dog barking, and kids talking. The other issue is that if I am in my room completely relaxed and not distracted, I just might fall asleep!

Hello Everyone

I will be putting a picture on here very shortly, just wanted to say hello to my followers :)
I look forward to sharing information and thoughts with you.