Upon completion of reading chapter 6, review the section ‘Getting Started’ (p.66). Begin practice 1: Listen to the Introduction mp3 and Loving Kindness mp3 (both located in Doc Sharing). Practice the Loving Kindness exercise this week. In your journal (blog), record your reaction to the exercise.

Answer each of the following in your blog:

 

Unit 4 Blog-Relaxation / Loving Kindness

 

1.      Describe your experience. Did you find it beneficial? Difficult? Why or why not? Would you recommend this to others? Why or why not? I did not find the relaxation exercise (Loving kindness exercise) beneficial because it bored me to hear the constant sound of the same voice and the waves were a bit distracting, almost like static. Maybe if there was a little music involved it would set the tone to focus better. Although I did try and imagine myself at the ocean with the waves this was ok, but sill maybe some bird sounds would help. I would not recommend this to another person. 

 

2. What is the concept of "mental workout"? What does the research indicate are the proven benefits of a mental workout? How can you implement mental workouts to foster your psychological health? The concept of a mental workout is using other motivating steps to encourage your mental thoughts to be balanced by medicating and concentrating to focus the mind. To foster your psychological health I would take part in mental trips. Such as relaxation techniques designed to focus at the mind and center the thoughts or deep breathing exercises. Another way I foster my psychological health is I listen to a CD my doctor at the Veterans Hospital gave me along time ago. It is used to help you completely relax. It has all sorts of bird, ocean and waterfall sounds in it. I had to take a health class a long time ago that was suppose to help me sleep better and feel less angry. It works at times. It also helps you to regulate your sleep. http://www.columbiamo.va.gov/services/Relaxation_Recordings.asp

 

 

My responses to Blog Questions  :)    :)

1.    Based on my reflections of myself I rate myself as an 8 in Physical wellbeing. I say “8” because when I was a soldier in the military, I kept my self at a fit level. I took care of my health. Before I entered the military, I worked out and stayed in shape. Now that I am out of the service, I continue to keep myself in shape by working out here and there. Although, I find that I have more aches and pains, maybe due to age. But aches and pains that keep me from working out the way I used to or would want to. So my physical wellbeing has dropped a bit. As for my physical wellbeing, in terms of general health. I am taking better care of my body and organs. I do this to live longer. I had a nutrionist show me once how foods affect the body, based on the amount of bad things in them. Such as salt, oil and too much sugar.

I rate my spiritual wellbeing as a 10 or higher. I am a Christina and my beliefs are important to me. I spend time with Lord. I read his word to get closer to him and my life has meaning based on my spiritual beliefs. As far as psychological well-being is I rate my mind as a 9. I say a 9 and not a 10 because sometimes I second guess myself. My mind is strong and I feel confident because of it. I am sure of my thoughts and my decisions 99.99% of the time.   

2.    A goal I’ll set for myself physically is to work out safer, to lose weight but not to the point I’m a fitness guru, just to stay in good health. I’ll have to create a workout schedule for myself. Exercising is not the only important factor in working out. Eating right is also important. Spiritually I will spend more time learning my Bible and maybe sharing with others who would like to know what I am studying. Psychologically, I am already doing Brain games to strengthen my mind.

3.    The activity I can implement to meet my goal is to get an electronic journal. This way I can keep up with all my goals and monitor myself, as I accomplish each or if I forget to do one. The jopurnal can help me check up on myself.

4.    The relaxation exercise the Crime of the century was a peaceful experience. It was very beneficial somewhat; I am babysitting my very active 3 year old nephew. And whew!!! He’s a handful. But, taking a moment to do this exercise gave me a time of calmness to rest, breathe and reflect. I nearly fell asleep. At first it was frustrating to me to sit here and listen to the man talk. He spoke a little too slow for me and he was w to calm, more than I was at the time.

Gail Pinkard-Rudolph

 

Greetings Classmates and Prof. Waston:

ok, I hope this is right. I got the idea that I am allowing everyone to view my personal email. I wasn't sure if this blog wasn't connected to it. I really do not have a clue if any of this is right. So, if it is, well I 'll blog then. I am at the moment attempting to make sense of the blog and why we even need it. Obviously, I have never had a blog. Ok, so there it is.

ok, I am commenting on the relaxation exercise. I hope it is in this section that I am supposed to mention this,. I listened to the relaxation exercise and I liked it. It was very calming. It's long, but it is designed to make you be patient and relax. I think that more people should experience a relaxation techniques. If I were a wellness professional I would recommend this or something similar to a stressed out patient. I think after trying this blog, I needed the relaxation exercise,  :) :)
I'll blog later.  :)

Gail Pinkard- Rudolph