Love and Kindness

My experience during this exercise wasn't what I expected. As I was thinking about the person I love which was my husband because he is my first true love I could picture his face but when it said to spread my love out I just wasn't feeling it. I tried to experience the feelings and I just felt myself getting dizzy in my own mind. I don't know if I was trying to hard or what but it didn't seem to come to me like it should. I didn't find this beneficial because I should not have to try this hard to have something work. Even when the exercise was focused to myself. I would still recommend this to others because just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean it won't for someone else.

The concept of mental workout to me is exactly how it sounds..exercising the mind to be healthy. According to Dacher(pg. 63), mental training can transform the mind by reducing disturbing emotions that can cause anger, hate, fear , worry, confusion and doubt. At that time it will help positive emotions such as patience, loving-kindness, acceptance, openness and happiness. So through this mind- body connection we help reduce the mental distress and physical disease which are usually linked together.

In order for my to implement this I need to take the time out each day to mentally train my mind. If I just take 15 minutes a day maybe after the kids have went to sleep and focus I can make a difference in my life by relieving the stresses that way so I don't have to worry all the time.

This is a picture of my family.. <3 LOVE

Overall Well Being

My physical well being is important to me because I like to stay in shape. At the moment I would rate that at a 7 because I have had a lot going on family wise and have not had a chance to get out and run as much as I would like to. I know exercise is important to me because I have high blood pressure and nothing would make me happier then to go off my medicine because of how I eat and stay in shape. Sometimes life gets in the way of things I really want to do. My goal for this area is to make sure that I make time each day, at least 30 minutes, to go for that run through the park or a nature trail. I love to take in nature while I am running its the only way I can enjoy it and I feel it will also help with psychological well being at the same time. I mainly love to run because I walk fast as it is but sometime when I am  out listening to my music it makes me want to run so my biggest thing is prioritizing to make time for this run.

Some people think that spiritual well being has to do with just religion. I do not see this as to be true. This is when you have a deep sense of purpose in your life and belonging. Sure religion can be a part of it because through this purpose with reading the bible or what not you find your purpose in life. I would say my spiritual well being is an 8 because I do believe in a higher power and that he has plans for me. I read the bible and although I do not go to church I know I have a purpose in life and sometimes things just fall into place and I know that someone is with me making things happen. I would like to improve this area some by possibly doing some meditating and focusing on some greater peace to have a certain calmness and a higher self esteem from it.

My psychological well being would be around an 8 for me also. I know I have purpose and meaning in life, I'm happy, successful and healthy thank goodness but one thing I am missing is my self esteem for some reason. I have a very low one and I do not know why. It could possibly stem back to when I was a child and my father was an alcoholic and he always put me down or I just think very low of myself. I think that if I was in better shape then I would have better self esteem so the physical well being will help me accomplish this psychological part and they work hand in hand. In order for me to do this I could. Exercising for this category would help me also because I will gain so many things from the exercise that it can help in all of these categories.

Crime of the Century

http://www.kushs.net/kaplan/HW420/TheCrimeOfTheCentury.mp3

Don't get me wrong I love this guys voice in here but I am not found of the exercise. I felt relaxed but I do not like visualizing colors and the different body parts. I am more of lets think of a scenery because I find that more serene and can stay focused better. I think this could work for some people but repeating the Mantra I feel centered was kind of annoying to me.

Journey On Reflection

These types of relaxation techniques really relax me. I really focus on doing what the man is saying and I can really picture it in my head. This form of imagery really helps me relax and  I feel totally different. Picturing the blood flowing to different parts of the body make me focus and block out the small sounds around me. This puts me in relaxation mode. As he talks about the sponges being dry or wet it helps me focus on what he is talking about and comparing them to. I find myself watching myself breathe the right way and my body just feels totally different and more relaxed then when I first started.

I think using this daily could really help keep my blood pressure down and give me the ten minutes a day I need of quiet time to myself. The hustle and bustle of daily activity will take a toll on your mind and sometimes I find that happening and I can not concentrate on school work but once I get a run in I feel good. Maybe on the days I can't run if I take time to do this relaxation technique I will start to feel better physically and mentally

http://www.kushs.net/kaplan/HW420/JourneyOn.mp3

This cute little guy in the tree is what I kinda feel like when I am done this technique. Very relaxed but not tired like him.

Welcome!

Welcome to my Healthy Harmony. Being healthy is so important for me and my family. I believe that you have to feel good on the inside to see the results on the outside. For me to feel good on the inside and outside I love to run. I take in my surroundings and all the beautiful things nature has to give us. Instantly I feel better and love to set a goal each day on how fast I want to be or where I want to run. Looking forward to sharing my thoughts! This picture I added is the art museum in Philadelphia, PA where I ran to from Camden , NJ at the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. If you know the area there are many sites to see and this is how I accomplish long runs. Total run for that day was 7 miles and it was exhilarating.