Unit 9 Project:

Elizabeth M Kilmer-Sterling

Kaplan University

Creating Wellness-Psychological and Spiritual Aspect of Healing

Kristin Werner BS, MA, PhD (IP)

        Integral health is the practice that encompasses the connection between body, mind and spirit that identifies all three as being equally important and required aspects for optimal health and wellness (Dacher, 2006). Health and wellness professionals have historically focused their practice on the biophysical aspects including diagnosis, illness, damage, treatment and preventions This concept that the body and mind are not connected produced practitioners that had less than optimal relationships with their patients, relied on technology and medication which failed patients from attaining whole healing. The lack of support for this field eventually proved maladaptive to the healthcare community and presented dilemmas for advancements in medicine. It appears however, that the medical community has started to reexamine and realize the inherent abilities of the body, mind, spirit, connection. This has only evolved in the last century parallel and at a slower rate to emerging fields of study such as psychology, immunology and neuroscience. In the healthcare field, professionals have a unique opportunity to be the supporters, educators and practitioners of scientifically validated practices that can heal and decrease illness and suffering throughout communities in the United States. This act of merging Western Medicine with Integral Medicine supports collaborative treatments that would successfully maintain health, treat illness and expedite healing that is both objective and subjective and mutually beneficial for patient and healer (Schlitz, Amorok, Micozzi, 2005). Without this aspect, we cannot completely help ourselves or our clients to establish the highest level of wellness and health that is possible which can limit health and quality of life. I believe we have a professional obligation to become knowledgeable and committed to this module of care that focuses on the individuality of the whole person to heal and promote or maintain healing and wellness.

        Self assessments of positive and negative aspects of life are exercises that are required to promote change. This is also true for individual health. Personally, I like a list system that prioritizes and identifies positive and negative results. This system requires frequent evaluation as needs and ideas are dynamic. Reflection additionally requires recognition that boundaries exist and rules apply, for example individuals cannot immediately excel at all lines of development, in each quadrant, at all times. With my inventory in hand, I reviewed the aspects of spiritual, physical and psychological health to determine where I currently am, what areas need improvement and what is of higher priority, which for me centered on areas that are most stressful. I evaluated all lines of development in the four quadrants utilizing a 1-10 scale, with 1 being minimal and 10 being optimal on the wellness score card. I then averaged the lines of development to assign a number to each quadrant. The following outcomes have provided me information to set goals and measure outcomes.

Psychospiritually including conative, cognitive and emotional = 5

Biological including fitness, nutrition, prevention, promotion and self-regulation = 2.6

Interpersonal including personal, family and community relationships = 4

Worldly including work, social activism and generativity = 6
As I become more knowledgeable and confident with the exercises, I would like to see these averages increase by 10% or more at 6 month intervals.

        Attainable goals for me include:

Identifying destructive emotions so that I may have a choice in actions instead of automatically reacting to stress and frustrations.

Retraining myself to accept flaws and celebrate progress.

Evaluating and implementing a fitness activity into my schedule that I enjoy participating in.

Evaluating and identifying nutritional needs and then anticipating and planning appropriately to meet those needs.

Minimize excuses that delay me from seeking preventative health and treatment.

Establish work boundaries to improve personal life balance, which will allow for greater development of personal, family, and community relationships.

Increase knowledge and awareness of global issues and recognize the importance of these issues and actively seek ways to be involved to improve or resolve these issues.

        Strategies that can be implemented to foster growth and development include on-going evaluation, including support systems in my plan and goals, communicating needs and expectations, researching activities or plans that support my goals, and practicing self love, respect and forgiveness.

        The psychological exercises that I would like to implement include the Qi Gong, visualization and the loving-kindness exercise. At the facility that I work at, Qi Gong is offered every Thursday at noon in the courtyard. I have placed this as an appointment on my schedule to serve as a reminder. Times will exist where patient care is a higher priority however I plan to make a conscious effort to attend this activity. As another benefit of this class, I have incorporated the visualization exercise of the wise individual into my routine one to two times per week prior to bed.  With practice, the length, quality and my confidence with this exercise has slowly increased.

        The spiritual exercises that I would like to implement include mindful meditation and scripture or spiritual devotion. Starting out slow, I will schedule mindful meditation on a weekly basis and increase the time and focus of this exercise. For devotion, I have purchased a small box of inspirational and spiritual sayings that I have placed next to my bed so that prior to getting up in the morning, I can remove and reflect on one saying each morning.

        Physically, I would like to implement yoga into my practice which I have started researching to find a studio/instructor in my community and have already initiated walking 2-3 times per week with my husband also joining in.

        Progress evaluation will include reviewing goals, reviewing and re-plotting health assessment, reviewing priorities and progression to higher skills. Strategies for me to maintain this long term practice include sharing experiences, reflecting on where I started and have progressed to, rewarding for success, acceptance and forgiveness for set-backs, journaling, practice variety to stimulate continued growth, and encouraging my support system to be active, challenging, motivating and supportive. I also would like to be an example for my patients which is rewarding and empowering especially as I work towards advance practice nursing.

Reference

Dacher, D. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic

        Health Publications, Inc.

Schlitz, M., Amorok, T., Micozzi, M. (2005). Consciousness and healing: Integral approaches to

        mind-body medicine. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Inc.