- Based on your reflections, and on a scale of 1 to 10 (ten being optimal wellbeing), where do you rate your A-physical wellbeing, B-spiritual well-being, C-psychological well-being? Why?
Once I started evaluating myself, I am not sure that I have high levels of anything. As for my physical well-being I see that as a 3. Yes it is low, this is because I am diabetic, overweight and I have some lower back issues. About a month ago I found out that I have a slipped disc due to a decrease in cartilidge in my spine. Being overweight is not helping this issue either.
As for my spiritual well-being, I would see that as a 5. I know that there is something out there. I know that I want to believe in that but have a hard time with it.
As for my psychological well-being, I would also see that as a 5. This is due to having bipolar. I was diagnosed 5 years ago, I have been on and off medication over the years. It is something that I wish I could just have it go away.
2. Develop a goal for yourself in each area (physical, spiritual, psychological).
Currently my goal for my physical well-being is to stay on track with my physical therapy for my lower back. Once I can strenghten my mucles in that area I will then be able to increase my amount/type of exersice so that I can continue to loose weight. This in-turn should help with my diabetes and being over weight.
Current goal for my spirtitual well being is talking with my friend that is already working in this field. Asking for spiritual cd's. Also to actually start reading the bible. I have one that is for daily reading and to be able to read it in a year.
Current goal for psychological well-being would be to ask for help when I am having a low. Something I am not good at.
3. What activities or exercise can you implement in your life to assist in moving toward each goal?
The things that I can implement in my life is meditation; regular exersice; and actually trying to focus on these goals.
4. The Relaxation exersice:
I am finding that I do like the relaxation exersices even when they do not really "go" with me. This weeks relaxation have you focusing on different areas in your life. The mantra's that you would need to say as you are breathing, I didnt necessarily believe in them. It is something that I feel that I know that I need to work on. That maybe if I were to get these thing in order, my life would not be as stressful as it is now. I don't doubt that I will always have some sort of stress but I would like the good kind.
After this week's work in this class, it is obvious to me that I have alot of work to do on myself, it will only be for the better. :)
Stacey Clark
Stacey,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your honesty. I am sorry to hear that your health is not where you would like it to be. But trust that everything happens for a reason. When you do get to where you want to be maybe you could be an inspiration to other people struggling with similar issues. I am glad to hear you are trying to figure out where you are spiritually by reading the bible. I still struggle with certain parts but overall I find it comforting to pray. As for your bipolar disorder I have seen the best side and I have seen the worst side. My aunt has lived with this disease for most of her life. My brother on the other hand left this world 12 years ago. He suffered most of his life with different things but never let on how much pain he was in. I wished he had. Are there any support groups you could join for when you are having lows?
As for the relaxation exercise I think stuff like this takes some getting use to. It sort of comes naturally to me, to be in certain states of mind, but sometimes the people I am with are a little too far out there, as far as what they believe in. I think with more practice you may find peace in it. I wouldn't give up on it just yet. Just keep an open mind.
Blessings & namaste
Stacey,
ReplyDeleteI think that it is awesome that you acknowledge the areas that you are having difficulty with. That is the first major step in change. One suggestion that I have for you is to keep a food and activity diary. It really helps create a clear picture of where you can implement change. I have done this for my workouts and I have found the reason I am not progressing is because I only work out about 8 days a month....something I did not really realize until I started keeping track.
I really liked this weeks exercise, but like you it was hard to imagine the beams of light. Perhaps you would do better with another form of meditation such as guided imagery where you imagine you are on a secluded beach or near a running river in the woods...these really help me to quiet my mind and relax.
Great post and keep moving forward...it's the only way to go!
Rose
Stacey,
ReplyDeleteI think that knowing what you want to change and how you feel is the best place to start with all of your goals and you are already there. I myself struggled with weight issues practically my entire life. A few years ago I finally lost about 100lbs and have kept it off ever since. Spiritually I feel that it will just come when it is meant to for everyone. I feel that someday there is an ah ha moment where you realize that there is something greater out there and though we may not understand it, perhaps we just aren't meant to in this world. Looking forward to your future posts :)
Stacey,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your honesty. It is often hard to admit our shortcomings. I know what it is like to be overweight. Those who have never been there can never fully understand how one struggles with it. I am not diabetic, but I have a strong family history. That has given me motivation to lose the weight so that I can maybe avoid that dreadful disease. And as far as spiritually, reading the Bible is a great place to start. May I suggest, though, to try to read for quality and not quantity. Reading it in a year is a great thing, but make sure that you are letting it sink in. Accompany it with prayer which also includes listening. I think we all struggle with that part. I fully enjoyed reading your post.
John
Hi Stacey,
ReplyDeleteStay positive because you are already on the right track to improving areas you feel you lack in. We all need improvements and that is a good things because we will always have something to work towards otherwise we may become bored. My grandmother was diabetic and shes 70 years old but up into 6 months ago it went away. I am not diabetic but I have seen my grandmother in the hospital. I wish you the best and I will pray for your health. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
Stacey,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for your struggles and I hope you are surrounded by supportive friends and family. Over the weekend, I found out that my sister was diagnosed with being bipolar. I was caught off-guard and I'm not really sure how I can help her. Being there for her is all I can do right now, and it was breaking my heart to see her so overwhelmed by the situation. I hope that I can find a way to help her through all those health and wellness classes; the idea of taking drugs for the rest of her life is daunting. So if you do have any extra tips you would like to share, I would be really grateful (jeffnelenam@yahoo.com). Thank you and good luck! I know that with this new information from the class, things will start to fall into place. Elena
Hi Stacey,
ReplyDeleteIt seems like you have a lot that you are going through, but keep your chin up! It sounds like you have goals, and you are taken classes to better your future! You are on the right track!
As for exercise I know it can be very difficult especially with many health problems. Have you talked to your physical therapist about maybe doing water exercises? I know being in water relieves muscle tension and joints while also getting your heart rate going! Try to get a buddy to do it with you! Could be fun! Having fun while excising is the best way to stick to a routine!
I know how you feel with spirituality, I just started going to church every other Sunday. Before a few weeks ago, I didn’t go at all for years! I feel in my heart there is something out there; I just don’t know exactly what yet. Have faith and treat others the way you want to be treated is my motto.
Good luck and thanks for sharing!
Nellie
Stacey,
ReplyDeleteI also appreciate your honesty. Part of wellness is being self-aware and clearly you are. That is the first step. You also have set realistic attainable goals. I think you are well on your way in achieving what you set out to.
I can identify with your spiritual well-being as well as I am not religious but I do believe that I am spiritual. It takes courage to admit what your feelings about what you believe or the lack there of.
Also I know the struggles of the diabetic, my husband is insulin dependent and I know what he goes through. Also as far as your lower back is concerned, the water aerobics idea was a great one, but might I also add yoga, often times this helps also with back injury recovery.
Keep your head up and you are in my thoughts.
Brandy
Stacey,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your blog and think you are a fantastic person, it takes a strong person to really admit what they need to work on. Many of us can make up what we think someone would like to hear or simply tell the truth. I too need some work on my physical and psychological well being but I will tell you the relaxation exercise really helped me to ease with who I am right now and let go of some of the tension I am holding on to. Knowing this I can start to find time in my schedule to really do the efforts I need to do so I can reach a good well being the whole way around. However, I am not unrealistic knowing that it will not happen overnight I am worth the effort, time, and help I need to make me feel good.