Hello Everyone,
So I just finished the subtle mind exercise and while I am still struggling with concentrating on one topic for such a long period of time I do feel that this exercise was more productive than the loving-kindness. I liked how this exercise made breathing the focal point so that each time I started getting distracted I would remember what I was supposed to be focusing on. I've done previous activities such as yoga and some exercise routines that really make you focus on your breath while completing the activity so I think that the familiarity of the focus helped me get more out of this weeks exercise. Although I would like to say that earlier today I was on the phone with a friend and she was totally down on her self and I explained some of the exercises and topics we have discussed in this course to help uplift her spirit. She is into holistic treatments so this type of thing was something she was interested in but had never really pursued. I think that the affirming thoughts that these practices provide us are beneficial and hopefully my friend will think so too :)
As for the connection between spiritual-physical-mental wellness..... Through practicing mental exercises a person can learn to exert control over their reactions to stimuli from the environment and within. By learning to observe rather than react to all the situations around us and then react with intent we would be able to promote peacefulness and wellness. Our mental state is capable of controlling physical reactions in our body so if we can promote positive feelings and emotions we will promoting health.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Unit 4 Journal
For this exercise I found it difficult to stay focused. I felt like there was so much time between the each set of instructions that my mind had to much time to wonder. I think that the concept of internalizing love and kindness is beneficial because if these are the feelings we hold in our mind and heart we will project those characteristics onto everything we do but I do not think that this exercise will be the most effective way for me to achieve this goal.
The concept of mental exercise is kind of like physical exercise but for the brain. If we want to see any improvements you have to be diligent and patient. I thought it was interesting how the text differenciates between merely sitting with your eyes closed and relaxing versus mental exercise. Mental exercises require effort and intent. Dacher recommends that one hour be set aside each day for these types of exercises. I don't know many people who have an extra hour to sit and do mental exercises though. At best think that most people could at least take a few minutes each day to focus on these positive reaffirming thoughts of love and kindness.
The concept of mental exercise is kind of like physical exercise but for the brain. If we want to see any improvements you have to be diligent and patient. I thought it was interesting how the text differenciates between merely sitting with your eyes closed and relaxing versus mental exercise. Mental exercises require effort and intent. Dacher recommends that one hour be set aside each day for these types of exercises. I don't know many people who have an extra hour to sit and do mental exercises though. At best think that most people could at least take a few minutes each day to focus on these positive reaffirming thoughts of love and kindness.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Unit 3 Journal
Physical wellbeing: 8
Overall I would consider myself to be a very healthy person. I exercise daily and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as biking, running, kayaking and swimming on a regular basis which allow me to maintain a good overall level of fitness.
In October I am participating in an event called the "Tough Mudder" which is an endurance event that implements various obstacle courses along with running. I am confident in my current endurance level to complete this event but I would like to increase my upper body strength to assist with the lifting and climbing components of the obstacles. My current goal is to be able to complete 5 pull ups by the first week in October. Currently I can do one.... So I have some work to do!
To obtain this goal I have already implemented a new weight training regime in addition to my regular cardiovascular exercises.
Spiritual wellbeing: 7
I was raised in a Christain family and still hold onto many of the beliefs that I was taught as a child. Over the years my belief system has expanded into a much broader spiritual connection but I know that there is more that I could do in my daily life to uplift my spiritual wellbeing.
As a goal to improve this aspect of my life I would like to start praying daily. By utilizing some of the relaxation techniques we have learned in this class it may help me feel more spiritually connected and promote my goal of daily prayer.
Psychological wellness: 6
To be perfectly honest August is a tough month for me.... At other points during the year I would probably rate my wellness higher. Typically I am a very happy, optimistic person but currently I am feeling a little low.
At this point I want to make it a goal to to express my feelings to family regarding the events of this month to assist in coping with my feelings. Typically I just keep to myself and don't really discuss how things are affecting me but I think it is important for me to try to express how I am feeling. I know that this is not exactly a specific or measurable goal but I will know the difference if I am doing it or not. Spending more time with family and friends will help me achieve this goal.
Relaxation exercise:
So I did alot better this week at following the instructions for this exercise than previously. I made sure I was in a quite room free of distractions and really concentrated on what the narrator was saying. I definitely felt more relaxed after the exercise. I especially liked some of the phrases that we had to focus on such as "I have the ability to love" and "I choose to love". I think that sometimes through life past experiences may make us feel guarded and not fully let others in our heart but his exercise was a positive affirmation that we all need to both be loved and love.
Overall I would consider myself to be a very healthy person. I exercise daily and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as biking, running, kayaking and swimming on a regular basis which allow me to maintain a good overall level of fitness.
In October I am participating in an event called the "Tough Mudder" which is an endurance event that implements various obstacle courses along with running. I am confident in my current endurance level to complete this event but I would like to increase my upper body strength to assist with the lifting and climbing components of the obstacles. My current goal is to be able to complete 5 pull ups by the first week in October. Currently I can do one.... So I have some work to do!
To obtain this goal I have already implemented a new weight training regime in addition to my regular cardiovascular exercises.
Spiritual wellbeing: 7
I was raised in a Christain family and still hold onto many of the beliefs that I was taught as a child. Over the years my belief system has expanded into a much broader spiritual connection but I know that there is more that I could do in my daily life to uplift my spiritual wellbeing.
As a goal to improve this aspect of my life I would like to start praying daily. By utilizing some of the relaxation techniques we have learned in this class it may help me feel more spiritually connected and promote my goal of daily prayer.
Psychological wellness: 6
To be perfectly honest August is a tough month for me.... At other points during the year I would probably rate my wellness higher. Typically I am a very happy, optimistic person but currently I am feeling a little low.
At this point I want to make it a goal to to express my feelings to family regarding the events of this month to assist in coping with my feelings. Typically I just keep to myself and don't really discuss how things are affecting me but I think it is important for me to try to express how I am feeling. I know that this is not exactly a specific or measurable goal but I will know the difference if I am doing it or not. Spending more time with family and friends will help me achieve this goal.
Relaxation exercise:
So I did alot better this week at following the instructions for this exercise than previously. I made sure I was in a quite room free of distractions and really concentrated on what the narrator was saying. I definitely felt more relaxed after the exercise. I especially liked some of the phrases that we had to focus on such as "I have the ability to love" and "I choose to love". I think that sometimes through life past experiences may make us feel guarded and not fully let others in our heart but his exercise was a positive affirmation that we all need to both be loved and love.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Unit 2 Reflection
All right everyone, so I really did try to sit through this entire exercise and focus on what he was saying but I had the hardest time staying focused! I think that the voice of the man and the music in the background was very relaxing but I could not fully concentrate on the exercises we were supposed do. I have never heard of autogenic relaxation techniques before and I think that they really could be beneficially but I need a little more practice on zoning out from the rest of my surroundings. Next time I do one of these exercises I will make sure that I am in an area away from the running washing and dryer and my cat who wants to walk all over me.... Between work and school it would probably be benficial for me to try to implement some of these relaxtion techniques to help maintain my sanity. Through out the week to come I will try to set aside a few minutes each day to focus on my breatrhing and relaxing my muscles and maybe that will make a difference.
Welcome to my life!
Hello Everyone!
This is my first time blogging and I'm still getting used to this so we will see how it goes... Sorry about the lack of personality my blog currently has. All my photos are on my desktop computer which has been in storage for months.... My brother got married last week so I have a feeling the next pictures I receive will be from the wedding so the only photos you guys might see of me are going to be in an extremely uncomfortable dress! I'm definitely more of a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl! I am a passionate food lover and love doing anything outdoors. I live in Petaluma, CA which is pretty close to San Francisco so I am able to enjoy a balance of city and country life. I am a Registered Dental Hygienist and love my career! By finishing my BS in health science I am hoping to open up more opportunities for me down the road to be more involved with the educational aspects of my profession. I am set to graduate in December and am looking forward to having a life free of homework, at least for a little while.... I'm debating going on to graduate school but am unsure what my plan is at this point.... I think this class will be very useful in providing information on how to promote wellness in our own lives and look forward to the term ahead of us!
This is my first time blogging and I'm still getting used to this so we will see how it goes... Sorry about the lack of personality my blog currently has. All my photos are on my desktop computer which has been in storage for months.... My brother got married last week so I have a feeling the next pictures I receive will be from the wedding so the only photos you guys might see of me are going to be in an extremely uncomfortable dress! I'm definitely more of a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl! I am a passionate food lover and love doing anything outdoors. I live in Petaluma, CA which is pretty close to San Francisco so I am able to enjoy a balance of city and country life. I am a Registered Dental Hygienist and love my career! By finishing my BS in health science I am hoping to open up more opportunities for me down the road to be more involved with the educational aspects of my profession. I am set to graduate in December and am looking forward to having a life free of homework, at least for a little while.... I'm debating going on to graduate school but am unsure what my plan is at this point.... I think this class will be very useful in providing information on how to promote wellness in our own lives and look forward to the term ahead of us!
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