Unit 7

1. Complete the "Meeting Asciepius" exercise on track #4 of the Dacher CD. Describe your meditative practice(s) for the week and discuss the experience. Explain how mindfulness or meditation has fostered an increase in your psychological or spiritual wellness. How can you continue to apply these practices in your life to foster greater health and wellness?

I just have a hard time practicing mediation. I never thought that it would be as hard as it is. My experience with this meditation exercise was much like the same as the others, in that, I did the exercise but feel like I did before, not gaining anything from doing it. I think that I am getting closer though to being able to acheive something than I have before. The only thing I know to do is to continue practicing these exercises. By doing these practices on a regular basis can help me to get where I would like to be in that relationship with my inner self.

2. Describe the saying: "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself" (p. 477). How does this apply to the health and wellness professional? Do you have an obligation to your clients to be developing your health psycholocially, physically, and spiritually? Why or why not? How can you implement psychological and spiritual growth in you personal life?

I believe the saying means that one cannot proper teach or practice something that he himself does not practice or believe in. It is much like someone teaching a smoking cessation class and they continue to chain smoke themselves. I think I do have an obligation to my clients. I do not feel that I can teach something that I do not believe in myself. I think that just by having a strong spiritual background (i.e. religious beliefs) in my personal life is enough. I strongly believe in the saying "practice what you preach".

Unit 6

3. What did you discover about yourself? I need work in more areas of my life than what I realized. I thought I had a pretty good indication of my self but I guess not.

What area have you chosen to be a focus of growth and development? Why? I have chosen body as an area of growth and development. I chose this so that maybe I will be more conscious with the holidays coming and because I am pregnant I want to focus on getting the right nutrients and being healthy overall.

What are some specific exercises or activities that you can implement to foster greater wellness in this area? I try to walk every other night and watch what I eat. I try to cut as much sodium, fat, and sugar out of my diet as possible.

Audrey Bullock

Unit 5

Question 1.

Compare and contrast the Loving Kindness exercise and the Subtle mind exercise. Explain your experience including the benefits, frustrations, etc.

The Loving Kindess exercise focuses on opening the heart to others and finding that love in yourself. The Subtle mind exercise focuses on looking from the outside in. I did not really experience any difference in the two exercise. I do like to listen to them but cannot seems to get anything out of them. Not sure what I am doing wrong.

2. Discuss the connection of the spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness. Explain how the connection is manifested in your personal life.

I think the connection of the spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness is by the mind, body and spirit and finding wholeness withing one self. The connection is manifested in my personal life by prayer. I pray on a daily basis and find the inner connection I need to feel whole.

Unit 4 Question 2

What is the concept of "Mental Workout"? What does research indicate are the proven benefits of a Mental Workout? How can you implement mental workouts to foster your psychological health?

I would define a mental workout  as something that is challenging and requires a lot of thought process. A good mental workout will keep our minds sharp and the elderly going and mentally healthy as well as the general population. An individual can do mind puzzles suck as: crossword puzzles, sudoku, and numberology.

Audrey Bullock

Unit 4 Question 1

Describe your experience (Did you find it beneficial? Why or Why not?) Would you recommend this to others? Why?

I found the experience neutral. I think that it would be more beneficial for someone that is having a hard time loving themselves. In this instance I would recommend doing the exercise to others. It helps someone find love in themselves that  cannot seem to find self worth but has love for others.

Audrey Bullock