UNIT 6: MIND-BODY-SPIRIT WELLNESS & HEALING

     For this week, I practiced the Universal Loving Kindness (meditation) exercise and completed the Integral Assessment. 

     The Universal Loving Kindness exercise really dug deep into my heart.  I had my first seizure about 1 1/2 years ago and was so afraid.  I was originally diagnosed with epilepsy, but then my doctor changed it to migraine induced seizures.  Since then I have had only one other known seizure, but I have to take medication every day to prevent them.  It has taken an emotional toll on me and I have found that by reading this exercise it has allowed myself to discover that I really need to focus on my psychospiritual development. 

     Over the last 3 1/2 months I have been exercising and using relaxation techniques to help relieve some of the stress related to this discovery and to help me through this.  I think the biggest emotional stress with all of this is just the fear of having another seizure any moment.  I know that I probably will be fine, but it is just the thought. I do think that I need to work on other techniques as well to help such as meditation.
That brings me to the Universal Loving-Kindness Practice.  As I was reading throught this practice, the one statement that really meant a great deal to me was " May I assist all individuals in finding health, happiness, and wholeness" (Interpersonal flourshing).

     I think this is extremely important because I need to not only work on myself, but to also help others achieve their happiness and wholenss. I think through meditation, I will be able to tame my mind and focus more on letting my anger go and just relax and enjoy my life :)
Sara DeSanto

UNIT 5: WELLNESS & HEALING

             The mental fitness exercise this week works on your Subtle Mind.  This exercise is a little bit different from last week’s exercise; Loving Kindness.

             I found this exercise to much easier and more relaxing than the Loving Kindness exercise.  Both are very relaxing exercises and are great for helping to relieve stress.  However; I found the man’s voice to be very frustrating in the beginning of the exercises.  For some reason it was even more frustrating in this exercise.  He uses a very “monotone” voice and I just couldn’t wait for him to stop talking!

            I was very pleased when the woman started to speak and became very relaxed when I started the breathing exercises.  It is so relaxing to just be able to take slow deep breaths in and out.  I almost fell asleep until she started talking again :)  This is so far the best exercise I have come across!

           There is definitely a connection between spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness. I find that in my own personal life that when I feel stressed out, I usually confide in my husband, pray, or I listen to music.  I find that when I confide in my husband I am able to “get things off my chest” and it makes me feel better spiritually, mentally, and physically.  I also pray and listen to music because it helps to “clear my mind” and when I feel better in the inside, then I also feel better on the outside.  I have been running now for over 3 months and I am going to be starting a new exercise called the “INSANITY” workout.  I am sure many of you have heard of it.  I decided to do this work out because it is a challenge that I want to be able to conquer for myself!! 

           I have discovered that when I meet my goals, then I not only feel good spiritually and mentally, but also physically:)

Sara DeSanto

Unit 4: The Mind-Body-Spirit Paradigm

        This week, we listened to a Loving Kindness mp3 audio and I found it to be very helpful.  This audio talked about how Loving Kindness is so important and how “we get back what we give”.  I think this is absolutely true.  We have to love ourselves first, before we are able to love others.  It also talked about how to think about someone who is a great love in my life.  The first two people that came to mind were my son and my husband.  I don’t know what I would do without these two special men in my life.  When I thought about them, they just fill my heart with such love, kindness and compassion.  It was very easy for me to move onto the next step to turn those feelings towards myself.  I also found the audio to be very relaxing because all I could think of was the ocean and the beach. I just kept hearing the water splashing up against rocks during the audio presentation; it just made me feel so relaxed and loved!   I would definitely recommend this audio for others as well.  It is very helpful because at the end you are able to reflect on how you feel and you can jot down some notes in your journal if you want as well.  I find this one to be the best out of all the audio presentations we have listened to so far. 

The concept of “mental workout” is the idea of training our mind.  The benefits of a mental workout is being able to gain access to “unity consciousness and to a higher consciousness-wisdom, peace, compassion, happiness, and wholeness” (Psychospiritual flourishing).  I know that I have been able to train my mind lately by focusing on what make me truly happy.  For example: I started running about 3 months ago and I just kept saying that I could never run a mile.  However, I never stopped trying and I eventually have trained my mind to focus on my music.  I have now been able to run almost 4.32 miles.  That is absolutely amazing for me to be able to train my mind to stay focused and to be happy.  We can train our minds to do many things that can bring us happiness and peace to our lives.

Reference:

Dacher, E. 2006. Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing. Psychospiritual flourishing. Chp. 6.

Thank you!
Sara DeSanto

Unit 3: Mind-Body Connection

For this Unit, I am to rate my level of wellness (1-10) physically, spiritually, and psychologically.  I have rated my physical and spiritual wellness as an 8 and my psychological wellness as a 7.  I have been doing exercises over the last 2 1/12 months; where I have been able to feel better about myself and have also improved my body physically.  What I mean physically is that my cardio has improved tremendously; I have been able to go from running 1 1/2 minutes non stop to running 23 minutes non stop.  That is a huge improvement for myself!  I also think that I have a very good spiritual wellness, but I would also like to improve that as well.  My psychological wellness does need to be improved because I do have some stress in my life; like I am sure every does. 
I have set a goal for each wellness for the next month.  For my physical wellness, I am currently running 3 times per week and I want to be able to run the entire 4.4 miles without stopping.  This 4.4 miles is how long it takes to get from my house to the lake and back!  This is my goal for the next month. My spiritual wellness goal is to pray at least three times per week with my son before he goes to bed.  My psychological wellness goal is to have at least 15 minutes three times per week where I can have relaxation time.  I think this will really help to relieve stress.    The activities I'm already implenting are running, going to the gym 2 x per week, and eating healthier.
The Crime of Century relaxation audio technique was a little frustrating for me.  It seems to be a little helpful, but all of the colors was getting to be frustrating.  At first, the audio seemed to be very calming, but then when it kept asking me to think of different colors, it was getting frustrating.  Then when it went from aqua blue to indigo blue, I could think of indigo blue for some reason.  I think this relaxation technique is just not the right technique for me; it was just a little too much thinking behind the technique.  For me, I need something that is just a little more relaxing.
I hope this helps everyone and I look forward to reading everyone's comments!
Sara DeSanto

Welcome Statement

I want to welcome everyone to my blog.  This is my first time every blogging and I hope everyone enjoys my posts!  I want everyone to get to know me a little bit, so I am posting some photos of my family because they mean so much to me.  That is why my blog's name is Family, Faith, and Hope!  I do not know where I would be without my family; they are the world to me! I am 31 years old and I currenty have an Associates Degree in Radiology; which I have been working as a Radiological Technologist/CT Tech for about 11 years now.  I am pursuing a career as a PA (Physician Assistant) which I am hoping to obtain in the next few years!  I recently got married last year to a wonderful man and I have a wonderful 7 year old son.  I enjoy outside activities, dancing, and running.  Again, I hope you all enjoy the photos and my future blogs!

Sara DeSanto