Unit 3 - My state of Mind-Body-Spirit

Reflecting on my physical well-being, I give myself a 9.

In general, I am in fairly good health. I get very few colds and flu. I have had a few migraines this past year, but I think they are hormone induced and have a lot to do with the increased hot flashes I have been experiencing. But considering that I have been battling a life threatening disease the past twelve year and had two major hip surgeries, I consider myself in great shape. My weight is a bit more than I like it. Well that’s not exactly right, my muscle to fat ratio is less than I would like it. While I am only a few pounds from my desired weight on the scale, I have increased in body fat and lost a great deal of the muscles that I worked so hard to develop. Really, I was in a Zumba class at a gym about six months ago. It was the first time I had worked out in a  place where there were mirrors. Looking at my arms and shoulders I kept thinking, “where did my muscles go??”  This of course is where I have to remind myself that I am fortunate to be able to do Zumba again.

My Spiritual well-being has been up and down so I would put it at a 5 or 6 right now. I do not have a regular spiritual practice and I am not really religious. I was raised Episcopalian. My father, who died when I was six, was an Episcopal minister. My mother was one of the most religious people I know. However, I was very turned off by the church, well mostly the congregation, who looked down their noses at those who had less than them. I also had issues with the whole sit, kneel, stand routine during church. The only reason I lasted in church until high school was the choir. I’ve always felt that there is a greater power, but not so sure that going to church was going to get me any closer to say, God. I find myself more at peace and connected to nature and the universe when I can get out into nature. Going for a hike, working in the garden, and being at the beach are ways that I feel connected with the universe. I have not done any of this lately. I have a Gratitude Journal, but I have not written in it for a while. All you do is write the date and five things you are grateful for. Simple. When times are bad you can reflect back to what you are grateful for. Today I could name five things, my kitties, my boyfriend bringing me tea while I worked on schoolwork, Yoga class, warm socks, and no headache. (I’ve had two migraines this month). I know I need to work on my spirituality. I hope going to Yoga class counts. Although today, we had a sub and she was like a dictator “do this” “do that”. At one point, she demonstrated a pose and then said, “You were supposed to be watching as I demonstrated, so if you get hurt it is not my fault.” Really? For one thing she was teaching poses that you do not teach in a large class format where you cannot adjust people to prevent injuries. Sorry, I got off track with my rant.

 C-psychological well-being? My psychological well-being is around 7. That is better than what I would have given it at the beginning or last term. I was fairly depressed. But HW410 Stress-Critical Issues in Management & Prevention, class was sort of like therapy in the way that I was able to identify there was an issue and throughout the exercises we did each week I was able to work through some of my issues. I am doing much better and I am coping with the stress of things I am not able to change. Some of the changes I would like to make, need to wait until I finish with school.

My physical goal is to gain more muscle mass in the next 12 weeks. I also am working towards walking a Half Marathon the first Sunday in February. This means making sure I get strength training included in my weekly workouts and stick to my training schedule

My spiritual goal is to set aside at least 5-10 minutes each day to go outside and do a walking meditation.

My psychological goal is to find mental peace each day with the things I cannot control. I can use my deep breathing in stressful traffic instead of getting upset.

I completed the relaxation exercise, The Crime of the Century this evening. I wanted to find a time when I did not feel drowsy and a time when the house was fairly quiet. Again I found myself sitting in my bedroom on my bed. The visualization was good. I have done similar guided meditations in my yoga training. At first when he spoke of the color red and being grounded, I didn’t feel much. However, I do feel centered and I liked having the opportunity of sending a loving message out to a loved one. I have a friend who just went through a bone marrow transplant after battling Leukemia the past year. He has a good outlook, but you can tell when you talk to him that it is wearing on him. So it was good to mentally send him love. Once again, towards the end, I started to fall asleep and I do not remember the end. I do feel a better state of well-being. This is good, as I felt shorted by the yoga class I had today.