The third component of health is as vitally important as the first two. Spiritual health is a little more difficult to define and describe than either physical or mental. There are physicians and other practitioners for these but how do you define and receive treatment for spiritual health? Some people are actually afraid to discuss or consider how important our spiritual well-being actually is.
In a secular world that is very focused on political correctness, poeple are very wary of expressing beliefs in the Divine. We have become so conditioned not to offend anyone, that we are no longer sure if it is actually okay to believe in a Divine Creator who loves us and wants to have a relationship with us. I'm sure my upbringing has a lot to do with it, but I have no doubts that each of us was divinely planned and created. How could someone as wonderful and complex as humans, animals, plants or any part of creation, have appeared accidentally?
So spiritual health is connecting with the Divine being that created us, inspires us, and desires a connection with us and other created beings. The first step to spiritual health is getting quiet and letting your subconscious mind connect the spiritual realm with your conscious physical realm. This exercise is known as meditation or prayer. Too often people think prayer is speaking to our creator when it is also being quiet and listening for a spiritual message. This is so important for getting to the essence of our being. This is where we connect with our passions and purpose.
Just like physical and mental illnesses have symptoms, so does spiritual illness. In the Christian tradition, which is where my beliefs center, we often refer to the fruits of the spirit. These "fruits" are very powerful emotions which I hear people describe often. Having them confers spiritual health while lacking any of them leaves one spiritually empty. These "fruits" are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. "There is no law against such as these." Galatians 5:23
As we end this third component of health, think about how each affects the other. The most important emotion I use to bring about health is gratitude. As Andy Andrews says, "The seeds of depression cannot take root in a grateful heart." So to begin developing health, and especially, spiritual health, write down ten things you are grateful for. Didn't that feel good? Being alive and having air to breathe is a gift. May you find ways to improve your health and live happier more fulfilled each day.
To your abundant health,
Sandra Hayes
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
How To Achieve Mental Health
Mental health isn't quite as obvious as physical health. It can't be measured by a weight scale or a lab test. However, it is readily observable by behavior and emotions. The ideal mental health is self-confident and positive. It is knowing one is living in accord with the natural order of the universe. It does not require absolute physical health but simply an awareness of well-being.
In addition to self-confidence, mental health is knowing that all is well in spite of any external conditions, and especially in spite of imagined conditions. Most things that disturb a person's mental health and "peace" are imagined rather than real. Right now we are driving to Gainesville, Florida, at 78 miles per hour. There are many things I could imagine might happen that would be frightening. I'm not even going to begin thinking about them because then they will be planted in my subconscious. At the very least, they would be disturbing, and at the very worst, my focusing on them could actually bring them to pass.
As a nurse, I realize there are disorders attributed to chemical imbalances. As a result, chemicals have been created to hopefully correct those problems. If you watch television, which I don't advise if mental health is the goal, you will be bombarded with advertisements that treat everything from depression to erectile dysfunction. Even if you didn't realize you had these disorders, these commercials will have you wondering about them and possibly even developing them as a result of focusing on them.
Mental health, rather mental illness, is big business. As a business person,I'm all for product development and profit margins. However, successful businesses create a desire for their products. That's how advertising works. We realize there is something out there that we don't have but that would somehow make our lives better. This is also true for mental health. We know that regular aerobic exercise, like jogging or even walking, causes our brains to release chemicals called endorphins. We also know there are many physical benefits to physical exercise as well. So, why not take some personal responsibility and try this remedy before scheduling a doctor's appointment to request a medication you think you need to help you feel happier?
I am not negating true mental illnesses. I'm just pointing out that we were created for health and wellness as our natural state. The human race has survived for thousands of years without the need for artificial chemicals to create this state of health. Normal is common. Abnormal is uncommon. So take a few minutes to look inside yourself. Are you happy or unhappy? Are you confident? Do you enjoy your work and your life? Are you willing to take responsibility for your situation and do the simple things that we know make us healthier and happier.
Our relationships, both personal and professional, either make us happier or unhappier. The same is true of our jobs and hobbies. Our natural state is to be creative and productive. We were put here to bring increase to ourselves and others. It is our responsibility to realize this and take action to be in a state of increase rather than stagnation or even decrease. It is these last two that rob us of happiness, self-confidence, and mental wellness. Feel free to contact me to learn more about how to achieve mental health.
To your abundance of wellness.
Sandra Hayes
http://AchieveProsperityToday.com
In addition to self-confidence, mental health is knowing that all is well in spite of any external conditions, and especially in spite of imagined conditions. Most things that disturb a person's mental health and "peace" are imagined rather than real. Right now we are driving to Gainesville, Florida, at 78 miles per hour. There are many things I could imagine might happen that would be frightening. I'm not even going to begin thinking about them because then they will be planted in my subconscious. At the very least, they would be disturbing, and at the very worst, my focusing on them could actually bring them to pass.
As a nurse, I realize there are disorders attributed to chemical imbalances. As a result, chemicals have been created to hopefully correct those problems. If you watch television, which I don't advise if mental health is the goal, you will be bombarded with advertisements that treat everything from depression to erectile dysfunction. Even if you didn't realize you had these disorders, these commercials will have you wondering about them and possibly even developing them as a result of focusing on them.
Mental health, rather mental illness, is big business. As a business person,I'm all for product development and profit margins. However, successful businesses create a desire for their products. That's how advertising works. We realize there is something out there that we don't have but that would somehow make our lives better. This is also true for mental health. We know that regular aerobic exercise, like jogging or even walking, causes our brains to release chemicals called endorphins. We also know there are many physical benefits to physical exercise as well. So, why not take some personal responsibility and try this remedy before scheduling a doctor's appointment to request a medication you think you need to help you feel happier?
I am not negating true mental illnesses. I'm just pointing out that we were created for health and wellness as our natural state. The human race has survived for thousands of years without the need for artificial chemicals to create this state of health. Normal is common. Abnormal is uncommon. So take a few minutes to look inside yourself. Are you happy or unhappy? Are you confident? Do you enjoy your work and your life? Are you willing to take responsibility for your situation and do the simple things that we know make us healthier and happier.
Our relationships, both personal and professional, either make us happier or unhappier. The same is true of our jobs and hobbies. Our natural state is to be creative and productive. We were put here to bring increase to ourselves and others. It is our responsibility to realize this and take action to be in a state of increase rather than stagnation or even decrease. It is these last two that rob us of happiness, self-confidence, and mental wellness. Feel free to contact me to learn more about how to achieve mental health.
To your abundance of wellness.
Sandra Hayes
http://AchieveProsperityToday.com
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Here's To Your Health
This is part 1 of a series on health. Having been a registered nurse since 1976, I have seen many changes in the field of health care. Most of the people I encountered professionally were seeking sick care rather than healthcare. It seems to me that people are not willing to take responsibility for where they are in life. Healthcare is no different. People would rather be at the effect of outside influences instead of being at cause for their own health. If I can assist one person in changing their perspective on this, my efforts will be rewarded.
It's interesting to note that nurses are among the top trusted professionals in the United States. I feel honored by this trust and seek to uphold it with all I say and do. For this reason, everything I share will be something I truly believe with all my knowledge, wisdom, and experience. What is the most important health concern to people today? Is it cancer or such chronic illnesses as arthritis? I invite comments to this blog to assist with this answer.
From my observations, I would say that failure to take responsibility for their own condition is the number one healthcare issue. Ignoring advice about diet, exercise, and weight control contributes to all kinds of problems including the 2 mentioned above.
You can rest assured that I am not immune to these issues either! As part of my own overall goal to improve my health, I plan to lose 12 pounds in the next 6 months. Wii Fit is assisting me with this. We all need a coach of some sort to challenge us and hold us accountable. To achieve this goal of course, I must think about what fuel I put into my body. As with any goal, every action I take is either taking me closer to the goal or moving me farther away from it. Can you guess which category a Dunkin donut falls into?
Ask yourself what benefits you can expect from improving your health. Having more energy and stamina as well as looking better are adequate motivators for me. I know I'm stating the obvious here, but if it were simple, wouldn't everyone be doing it? My goal with this blog is simply to help you take a look at your own health and focus on some realistic changes you can make to feel better and enjoy life more.
It's interesting to note that nurses are among the top trusted professionals in the United States. I feel honored by this trust and seek to uphold it with all I say and do. For this reason, everything I share will be something I truly believe with all my knowledge, wisdom, and experience. What is the most important health concern to people today? Is it cancer or such chronic illnesses as arthritis? I invite comments to this blog to assist with this answer.
From my observations, I would say that failure to take responsibility for their own condition is the number one healthcare issue. Ignoring advice about diet, exercise, and weight control contributes to all kinds of problems including the 2 mentioned above.
You can rest assured that I am not immune to these issues either! As part of my own overall goal to improve my health, I plan to lose 12 pounds in the next 6 months. Wii Fit is assisting me with this. We all need a coach of some sort to challenge us and hold us accountable. To achieve this goal of course, I must think about what fuel I put into my body. As with any goal, every action I take is either taking me closer to the goal or moving me farther away from it. Can you guess which category a Dunkin donut falls into?
Ask yourself what benefits you can expect from improving your health. Having more energy and stamina as well as looking better are adequate motivators for me. I know I'm stating the obvious here, but if it were simple, wouldn't everyone be doing it? My goal with this blog is simply to help you take a look at your own health and focus on some realistic changes you can make to feel better and enjoy life more.
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