Saturday, November 23, 2013

The Mind-Body Connection

My current physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being are as follows:

A-    My physical wellbeing is an 8. I have kept an active exercise routine through the spring, summer and fall & am just currently hitting the cold weather. Time is also not on my side with losing light earlier and school work to do. My goal is to maintain an exercise routine through the cold months. One thing I can do is join the gym. I am actually going to check out a new gym in the morning. It gives me back the ability to run 3-4 times a week and it also provides daycare which is a huge bonus. I am looking forward to getting my runs back in more routinely. They have been off for about the last month.

B-    My psychological well-being is around a 7. The more I am physically active the healthier I am mentally. Running really helps me on many levels. My immediate goal for winter is to keep my mind clear and healthy. To do this I take more time to myself like getting baths or drawing. Keeping my mind busy but finding time to relax is a tricky balance. Winter is by far my least favorite season due to the cold and lack of sun. I fight the blues most winter and it tends to kick in about January. Working on my awareness and what I'm learning in this class I believe will help me continue to improve.   

C-  My spiritual well-being is a 5. When I am working on my physical and mental wellbeing simultaneously I feel like I can really work on this. I think this is where I could use the most improvement. Since this course has started I find the readings have heightened my awareness & opened my ideas a bit. One goal for me is to try a Pilate’s class and yoga class over the winter. I think this will help me focus on all three at the same time. I found a Pilate's class to try but have yet to find a yoga class.

4. The relaxation exercise was impossible for me to get through. I kept falling asleep and then waking up as soon as he would start telling me to tell myself something like, “I am grounded”. The rainbow, prism comparison didn’t help much either. “Imagine a window below your belly button” I guess I am not that imaginative... I did not find this exercise beneficial except for the temporary pause to close my eyes and relax; that is always nice.

2 comments:

  1. Good for you, keep up with the running. I noticed when I used to run I had more energy on all levels and it kept me in a very positive and optimistic outlook. It also made me feel a lot better both physically and mentally. I understand what you mean about the winter, like both summer and winter for me, when the either season first comes, I enjoy them. However, about halfway through each, I look forward to the other. I also understand about the exercise, the first time I kept falling asleep, the second and third time I simply could not connect with it as life kept whirling around me and served as a distraction. Sounds like you have a good plan, I hope it all works out. Cheers!

    Aaron

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  2. Jenn,
    You think that maybe the reason you didn't feel much from the exercise was because even though you were 'focusing' you weren't really there? Maybe the stress of everyday life, being a mother and a student, a wife and a friend just sometimes jumble up and when you find the time to work on homework you're more focused on getting it done than actually making it work? I feel that way sometimes, and unfortunately there's not much you can do. If the mood isn't there, it just isn't, and you won't achieve any greater relaxation until you calm your nerves and allow yourself to receive what the narrator is saying.

    Jess

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