Final Project

Jenna Golik

Assessment

Kaplan University

            It is important for a health and wellness professional to develop in all areas psychologically, spiritually, and physically. This is because it not only sets good examples for clients for the health  and wellness professional, but it helps them build a deeper understanding for individuals and what they are facing and a better knowledge on how to help them. Developing psychologically as a health and wellness professional helps by being able to manage their personal stress, along with training the mind to stay focused so they are hearing everything a client has to stay. It also helps the professional by being able to be accepting of others and having the ability to truly feel for their client.  Developing spiritually is also equally as important because it helps the professional have the ability to be open and understand that everyone has a different belief system or method of faith. It can be important as well because you have cultivated a deeper connection with yourself and your surroundings. Physically developing yourself is being able to have a client physically see that you practice what you preach. They are able to see the physical benefits of what is possible for them even. It also helps the professional, because being physically fit along with the developing the rest of these areas can help them take on the challenges of their daily obligations and do them with ease.

            I have assessed my health in each domain on a conventional measuring system of one to ten; with ten being the highest and one being the lowest. The spiritual aspect of my life is a ten, because I was brought up in the belief that there is a higher power and in times of trouble they are there to guide you. I have always maintained this spiritual belief, because I truly believe in it but it has always brought me comfort when I needed it. Physically my wellness would be a seven out of ten, and that is because I need to manage better eating habits to maintain my physical health. I do not eat poor food choices, but I need to make sure that I am eating three meals a day. I also need to increase my exercise and fitness routine as well. I do some exercise that I can do within comfort without causing aggravation to my rheumatic condition. I need to make it a point to do these exercises at least 3 times a week if not more. I will start with three times a week and gradually work my up to more. Psychologically I score a eight out of ten because I feel at times I do not manage my stress well, and I need to learn to be a better listener. This is not because I am talking over others but my mind drifts from its attention to other things it does not need to.

            I have many goals for myself in each area, but I feel that if I start out small and incorporate these well into my daily routine then I can focus on meeting other goals. Physically I would like to be able to do an exercise routine more frequently or do a variety of different kinds of exercises. For the time being I need to focus on getting my rheumatic condition well managed so I can exercise with less pain. I feel by listening to my doctor, and starting off small this goal is very obtainable. I will start by just walking for at least thirty minutes a day.  Psychologically I feel I need to work on stress management, and keeping doing my practices on quieting the mind. I feel if I keep doing my quiet mind practices every day this could help be a huge stress reduction as well. As far as spiritually my goal for that is to make more time for my spiritual practices. I often get caught up in the hustle and bustle of every day that I neglect that aspect of my life seeing it as unimportant, but it is. I need to take the time every day to incorporate my spiritual practices.

            There are practices that I can do for my personal health. The practices I would incorporate for my physical health would be Qigong and Yoga. I can implement these into my exercise routine. I can mix up the days between Qigong and Yoga to start to broaden my exercise routine. I typically do them in the evening after everything is done so I can keep my mind focused on that and enjoy that time. Spiritually I can have moments of prayer incorporated into my day, and make the time to frequent church more often. Psychologically I can incorporate more meditation into my daily routines as well as keep on practicing my “mental work out”.

            I will assess my progress or lack of progress by making myself a chart on the goals I want to meet. I will take it week by week and see what I implemented and what I may have procrastinated on. After I do this then I need to figure out a better way that I will incorporate the strategies I need to meet my goals. The strategies that I can implement in maintaining my long-term practices for health and wellness are staying focused, and bringing my attention back to the present when I realize that I am drifting away from my practices. I also can have better time management and a better approach on planning my day. I feel if I take the time to plan the day then I can maintain my practices for the long term. I also can remind myself of why I am doing this when I may struggle. I feel constant reminding is helpful so you realize the purpose of your goals.