UNIT 9 - FINAL PROJECT

Integral Health

            Health can be defined as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being; not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (WHO, 1948)” (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2012, p. 46).  Integral health can be defined as a health which is “self generated and self cultivated, that leads to a comprehensive, holistic, and far-reaching healing of body, mind, and spirit and that is immune to life’s adversities, including disease, aging, and death” (Dacher, 2006, p. 3).  Integral medicine is the practice of treating the patient more successfully and proficiently (Schlitz, Amorok, & Micozzi, 2005, p. xix). 

            This paper will discuss the importance of developing integral health in the health professional.  It will also include an assessment of my health along with a goal for my physical, psychosocial and spiritual health.  I will discuss strategies for development of my personal health.  Lastly, I will explain my commitment tracking plan which will allow me to assess my progress or lack thereof for attaining health and wellness.

Introduction

            The psychological, spiritual, and physical health and wellness of professionals are essential.  Affective care comes from individuals who are able to effectively care for themselves.  I believe that it is important for the health professional to be aware of his/her integral health along with the accomplishments, current state, and areas that are in need of improvement.

            I feel that I could stand to improve on all levels (spiritually, psychologically, and physically) of health.  Since starting school full time and working a full time job, I have become a different person.  This person that I have become is less spiritual and definitely less physically active.  I feel that I need to change all of these areas to achieve my integral health goals.

Assessment

            I have assessed my healthiness in each domain of integral health by examining myself and enlisting the observations of my family.  My family will attest that I am not the same person that I used to be.  The following are observations from my family: “easily angered”, “nervous”, and “consumed by school work all the time”.  I agree with their observations and add the following of my own: anxious, obsessive compulsive to a certain degree, and unsettled. 

            From physical health standpoint, I would score myself a 4 on a 0-10 scale.  Since starting school in February of 2012, I have gained a good bit of weight and have developed some other medical issues.  I cannot seem to find the time or the energy to exercise.  When I do get a few spare minutes, the last thing I want to do is exercise.  To be honest, I am tired and extremely ready for school to be finished so that I can focus on my family and my health.

I would score myself a 3 on a 0-10 scale for psychological health as well.  Again, I do not like the person that I have become.  I just told my husband this morning that my insides feel like they are constantly quivering.  I have forgotten how to relax and enjoy quite moments.  My mind is constantly racing and swirling with thoughts of school and uneasiness.  I am unable to concentrate on the meditation exercises and find that I can only seem to complete a few minutes of deep breathing exercises before I am thinking about something else. 

On a spiritual level, I would score myself a 5 on a 0-10 scale.  At one point in my life, I would have given myself an 8 or a 9.  I used to have a music ministry, lead praise and worship at my church, teach children’s church, and directed of the youth praise band.  I have let all of this dwindle away and only seem to be able to manage short breath prayers before my mind wonders again. 

Goal Development

My physical development goal is as follows: Through diet and exercise, I will lose 30 pounds and decrease my blood cholesterol level by 15 milligrams per deciliter within one year of graduating.  For my spiritual development goal, I have decided that I will rejoin the praise and worship team once by BSN is completed.  I will also begin daily devotions, dedicated prayer time and daily bible reading.  Lastly, my psychological goal is to begin a daily meditative practice such as the Loving Kindness Exercise but not until school is finished. 

Practices for Personal Health

I will implement walking and calorie counting in order to foster growth in my physical health.  For my spiritual health, I will implement daily devotions and bible reading, allotted daily prayer time, and I will re-join the praise and worship team at church.  Lastly, I will implement yoga and meditation into my daily routine.  (I have to add here that I will not be able to effectively start any of these until I am finished with school.  I simply do not have the extra time or the mental capabilities at this time.)

Commitment

To hold me accountable, I am going to enlist the help of my family, friends, and church family.  My daughter has agreed to monitor my progress on a monthly basis, encourage me, and walk/count calories with me.  She has also volunteered to join me in morning devotions, prayer time and bible reading.  My church is holding me accountable to return to the praise and worship band.  The congregation knows that October 8^th is my last day of school and they are expecting me to be up in the pulpit with the praise and worship band on October 13^th.   I believe that my family and friends holding me accountable is the most effective way for me to maintain my short term and long term practices for health and wellness.

In conclusion, Dr. Pert said, “The mind is the body, the body is the mind” (Dacher, 2006, p. 18).  This class has opened my eyes and made me realize that my integral health is a wreck at this point in my life.  I have a lot of areas that need improvements.  I feel that I have set goals that I can use to change my lifestyle and work towards a better life of integral health.  I also believe that my support system of family, friends, and church family will hold me accountable towards achieving all of my short and long term goals. 

References

Dacher, E. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.

Schlitz, M., Amorok, T., and Micozzi, M.S. (2005). Consciousness and healing: Integral approaches to mind-body medicine. St Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone.

Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2012). Public health nursing: Population-centered health care in the community (8th ed.). Maryland Heights, MO: Elsevier.