unit 5 mental fitness
DESCRIPTION
Unit 5 AssignmentTRANSCRIPT
Mind & Body BalancePsychological and Spiritual
Aspects of HealingStacia Townson
Professor Dorette NysewanderHW420: Creating Wellness
Kaplan UniversityApril 19, 2012
MENTAL FITNESS Benefits of mental fitness
Research studies demonstrating healing qualities of mental and spiritual focus
Examples of exercises or practices to improve mental fitness
Summary
BENEFITS OF
MENTAL FITNESS
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FEEL HEALTHIER BE HEALTHIER
Decrease in depression, anxiety, and stress levels
Increase in compassion and love Improve sleep quality Improve concentration & memoryDecrease fatigueReduces anger and frustrationYou will have more confidenceDecrease in pain levelsReduces headachesReduces blood pressure and pulse
FIVE GUIDING PRINCIPLES TO
INTEGRAL HEALING
Holistic – Developed through inner and outer aspects
Evolutionary – Conscious choices
Intentional – Shifting our focus
Person-Centered – Exploring ourselves
Dynamic – Healing the issues by listening
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STUDIES ON THE BENEFIT
S OF MENTAL FITNESS
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RESEARCH BY DR. DEAN ORNISH
Dr. Ornish proved that blood pressure could be reversed and controlled by training your mind.
He had 48 patients in a study A control group and a group that was in a lifestyle
program. After a year the control group had an increase of
chest pain, decreased blood flow and blockages. The therapy group on the other hand had reduction
in chest pain, increased blood flow to the heart and reversal of coronary build up.
Changing your mental being can change your physical well being. I believe this would be beneficial in treating many patients in the future(Dacher, E 2006).
RESEARCH BY DR. RICHARD DAVIDSON
The benefit of the mind/body connection He studies electrical brain activities,
variation in brain blood flow and metabolic activity.
He proved that, there are areas of the brain that become activated by negative and positive emotions.
He concluded his results by comparing two groups, one that recalled good emotions and the other not, also one that was shown happy images and the other not(Dacher, E 2006).
RESEARCH BY DR. CANDICE PERT
In the early 70’s Dr. Candace Pert found the opiate receptor.
Eastern philosophy states that consciousness comes before reality.
Westerners have taught for years that consciousness, thoughts and emotions are products of the physical brain and have little to do with the body or our health.
Dr. Pert’s research proved that a biochemical basis for awareness and consciousness exists, the mind and body being one. It proves that our emotions and feeling are what links the mind and body(Dacher, E 2006).
EXERCISES TO AID IN MENTAL FITNESS
MEDITATIONMeditation is to make our mind calm and peaceful. By stopping distractions and making our mind clear. You begin by sitting in an upright posture to prevent the mind from becoming sleepy. With eyes partially closed concentrate on your breath going in and out. Breathing in and out of your nostrils is preferred. This will be the object of your meditation your focal point. Trying numerous times to exclude all other distractions. Practicing patiently in this way, slowly our distracting thoughts will diminish, we will feel a sense of inner peace and relaxation.
Gyatso, G. K. (2012). How To Meditate. Retrieved from http://www.how-to-meditate.org
TAI CHIThe ancient art of tai chi, to reduce stress and
improve health. To be relaxed is the most important factor in stance training.
Relaxing In The Horse Riding Stance Stand with the feet about shoulder length
apart. Turn the toes in so the outside of the feet are parallel. Sit back in chair pose with up to a 45 degree bend in the knee. Roll the knees in or out if needed to be straight. Release your lower back to allow tailbone to hang. Hold arms as if you are holding reins with elbows hanging down. Let your shoulders sink. Use inhalation to expand body and exhalation to release unwanted stresses of life down into the floor using the bones as outlets. Then you hold it for as long as you can without stressing your body more. Remember it is to Relax do not tighten your muscles. Then rest and repeat as many times as you want.
Yang. (1956). Taijiquan 24 Form. Retrieved 2012, from http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/short.htm#List
SUMMARY Mental fitness has many great
benefits that would encourage one to take advantage of the many practices and exercises available.
The great benefits of mental fitness are the promotion of inner self, oneness and wholeness.
Creating a stable mind with persistent mental workouts will create inner peace.
REFERENCESDacher, E.S. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, C.A.: Basic Health Publications, Inc.
Schlitz, M., Amorok, T., & Micozzi, M.S. (2005). Consciousness and healing: Integral approaches to mind-body medicine. Saint Louis, M.I.: Elsevier, Inc.
Susan Krauss Whitbourne, P. (2012). Psychology Today. Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201102/get-out-and-walk-your- brain-will-thank-you
Gyatso, G. K. (2012). How To Meditate. Retrieved from http://www.how-to-meditate.org/
Yang. (1956). Taijiquan 24 Form. Retrieved 2012, from
http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/short.htm#List