Unit 4-Loving-Kindness

Hello All,
I found the loving-kindness exercise beneficial because it allowed me to shift my feelings and the images in my head to a place that was more comfortable. I had a hard time visualizing a loved one who was suffering because I feel like I need to be there with them in person to help them; I did not feel of any assistance to them just by merely having them in my thoughts. I know later on in the exercise it allows us the opportunity to think of ways help relieve that persons suffering, but if it was up to me, I would jump straight to that step.

I think conducting a mental work out is very beneficial because it gives us the opportunity to transform our emotions such as, anger, hatred, fear, worry, and confusion into positive emotions such as, patience, loving-kindness, openness, acceptance, and happiness. I think giving ourselves a mental work out is beneficial to wholeness and well-being (Dacher, 2006).

I still think it is amazing how the mind and body work together, before starting school I did not know much about mind-body connection, but mind over matter is definitely starting to make sense more and more these days!! i would recommend this loving-kindness exercise to people who are stressed out because it gives them a chance to calm the mind and flush out any unwanted negative thoughts and focus their attention on positive emotions.
-Joncie Winter

Dacher, E. (2006). Integral Health. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications.

Crime of the Century-Unit 3

Hello All,
After reflecting on my physical, spiritual, and psychological well being, I would rate my physical well being as an 8, my spiritual well being as a 6, and my psychological well being as a 9. Physically speaking I am in good shape, I work out 4-6 times a week and eat healthy. I rated my physical well being as an 8 because I want to quit to smoking. Having this horrible habit prevents me from exercising to my fullest potential. As for my spiritual well-being, I always think there is room for improvement when it comes to believing in a higher power. Psychologically speaking I feel confident. Obviously my physically well-being goal is to quit smoking. I would definitely set a goal for attending church more as a spiritual goal. I think starting a journal would benefit me psychologically. Implementing church more into my life would also help me psychologically. I have already started moving towards my goal of quitting smoking. I made a deal with my mom that if she lost 15 pounds I would quit smoking. We keep each other accountable this way.
I thought the Crime of the Century exercise was relaxing at the beginning but I started to get distracted trying to focus on all seven of the focus points and trying to remember which colors went with what body regions. I think this exercise would have been more relaxing if we focused on one or two body regions and associated them with colors, rather than having seven to focus on. All in all, I enjoyed this exercise, but it was not as relaxing as the first one we did.
-Joncie W.   

Journey On exercise

Hello Professor and Class,
I found this Journey On exercise to be very relaxing. I especially liked how this exercise used the core as a starting point to direct the flow of blood to wherever we want to relieve tension, whether that be the hands, feet, or shoulders. I have done relaxation techniques likes these before and one thing I have learned is you have to be open to them in order to reap any benefits from them. I was skeptical at first, but relaxation techniques can be very helpful during stressful times, or whenever one may need a personal "time out."
-Joncie Winter 

Welcome Statement

Hello Professor and Class,
Welcome to my blog, "creating wellness". I am new to this so this will be learning experience for me. I look forward to working with all of you this term!
-Joncie Winter